What does a deputy project manager do?
A deputy project manager works closely with a project manager to ensure that a project is going according to plan. Some of his/her or her responsibilities include assessing risks and how to manage them, assigning company resources to the staff, and coordinating with a variety of components to make sure that projects are delivered as promised. Project managers should keep the team updated about the progress and creation of resolutions in case project-related issues arise. They should also be comfortable working under pressure and maintain a good command of the subject of the project.
Deputy project manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real deputy project manager resumes:
- Manage teams locate in India, Dublin, Tokyo and Seattle.
- Manage, monitors and measures project portfolio status, recommending corrective action as necessary and communicate portfolio status to their management.
- Recognize with a special service award for services to the UK business.
- Balance contract cost, schedule, and scope to meet USAID's mission requirements.
- Collaborate with USAID, implementing partners and other in-country stakeholders to hold joint program meetings, training sessions and conferences.
- Develop tabs/folders and upload data and documents for company utilizing SharePoint.
- Receive commendation from DoD customer for excellence in quality and schedule performance.
- Maintain contract deliverable library on SharePoint as well as physical copies of deliverable submission records.
- Maintain operational readiness through initiative oversight and provide regular reporting and maintain ongoing communications to senior management, stakeholders and sponsors.
- Administer finances, vendors, and payees using Quickbooks software.
- Maintain documentation in company database on progression of orders.
- Manage elaborate software implementation projects relate to national convenience store/gas station point of sale (POS) technology.
Deputy project manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 22% of Deputy Project Managers are proficient in Project Management, PowerPoint, and Status Reports. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Leadership skills, and Management skills.
We break down the percentage of Deputy Project Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Project Management, 22%
Specialized experience in project management support and program development for the Department of Labor Employment Development Program redesign.
- PowerPoint, 7%
Manage correspondence including editing documents, memos, spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, and general communications.
- Status Reports, 7%
Prepared project-related documentation plans and status reports for CEO of company.
- Logistics, 6%
Analyzed complex financial and logistics problems and issues concerning the implementation and maintainability of the WITS telecommunication system.
- Risk Management, 4%
Developed, implemented, and managed program-wide risk management framework and managed program's migration to central data repository.
- Project Controls, 4%
Allocated project resources, integrated and analyzed cost/schedule performance, and developed MIS/Project Control Center.
Common skills that a deputy project manager uses to do their job include "project management," "powerpoint," and "status reports." You can find details on the most important deputy project manager responsibilities below.
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a deputy project manager to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "top executives must be able to convey information clearly and persuasively." Additionally, a deputy project manager resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "coordinated communication with saudi arabian government offices, dod organizations and representatives and local sub-contractors. "
Leadership skills. Many deputy project manager duties rely on leadership skills. "top executives must be able to shape and direct an organization by coordinating policies, people, and resources.," so a deputy project manager will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways deputy project manager responsibilities rely on leadership skills: "provided comprehensive business intelligence reporting capabilities to support congressional and dod senior leadership information needs. "
Problem-solving skills. A big part of what deputy project managers do relies on "problem-solving skills." You can see how essential it is to deputy project manager responsibilities because "top executives need to identify and resolve issues within an organization." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical deputy project manager tasks: "anticipate and analyze potential problem areas and recommend solutions or corrective action. "
Time-management skills. Another common skill required for deputy project manager responsibilities is "time-management skills." This skill comes up in the duties of deputy project managers all the time, as "top executives do many tasks concurrently to ensure that their work gets done and that the organization meets its goals." An excerpt from a real deputy project manager resume shows how this skill is central to what a deputy project manager does: "complete rfp final review with senior level management team prior to submittal of scheduled customer deadline. "
The three companies that hire the most deputy project managers are:
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Compare different deputy project managers
Deputy project manager vs. Chief deputy
A project director is an individual responsible for supervising workers from various departments given specific tasks to complete a given project. They create a budget to complete a job while monitoring the amount of money spent to ensure that overspending is avoided. They provide presentations to investors, business partners, and company executives to inform them about their progress and development. Project directors must have several years of experience and obtain at least a bachelor's degree in business economics or a related field to be hired.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between deputy project managers and chief deputy. For instance, deputy project manager responsibilities require skills such as "project management," "status reports," "logistics," and "risk management." Whereas a chief deputy is skilled in "oversight," "policy development," "financial reports," and "district court." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Chief deputies earn the highest salaries when working in the finance industry, with an average yearly salary of $151,936. On the other hand, deputy project managers are paid more in the energy industry with an average salary of $99,524.On average, chief deputies reach similar levels of education than deputy project managers. Chief deputies are 0.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 4.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Deputy project manager vs. Project director
A club manager is responsible for overseeing club operations, delegating tasks to the club staff, and ensuring that the team provides the highest customer service and satisfaction for the guests. Club managers inspect the stability of technical tools and equipment, including the adequacy of inventory and food and beverage stocks. They also identify opportunities and services that would increase revenue resources and attract patrons from visiting the club regularly. A club manager responds to the guests' inquiries and concerns, resolves complaints, and monitors sales performance.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real deputy project manager resumes. While deputy project manager responsibilities can utilize skills like "powerpoint," "status reports," "logistics," and "risk management," project directors use skills like "oversight," "customer satisfaction," "hr," and "adaptive."
Project directors earn a higher average salary than deputy project managers. But project directors earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $106,707. Additionally, deputy project managers earn the highest salaries in the energy with average pay of $99,524 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Project directors tend to reach similar levels of education than deputy project managers. In fact, they're 3.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 4.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Deputy project manager vs. Club manager
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, deputy project managers are more likely to have skills like "project management," "powerpoint," "status reports," and "logistics." But a club manager is more likely to have skills like "customer service," "front desk," "cleanliness," and "cpr."
When it comes to education, club managers tend to earn lower degree levels compared to deputy project managers. In fact, they're 13.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Deputy project manager vs. Tour manager
Types of deputy project manager
Updated January 8, 2025
