Post job

What is a director of project management and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted experts
Nicole Jones Young Ph.D.,
Todd Terry
introduction image

A director of project management is an individual responsible for overseeing the planning, implementation, and tracking of projects within an organization. They work closely with project managers to ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and meet quality standards. The role involves developing project management methodologies, policies, and procedures to ensure consistency across projects. They must have excellent leadership skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining a strategic perspective.

What general advice would you give to a director of project management?

Nicole Jones Young Ph.D.Nicole Jones Young Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Assistant Professor of Organizational Behavior, Franklin and Marshall College

Be flexible. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a lot of uncertainty, but has created new opportunities in others. Staying flexible allows individuals to shift focus away from industries or occupations that may be in decline, and re-focus on employment opportunities that may be more aligned with our current moment.
ScoreDirector Of Project ManagementUS Average
Salary
8.3

Avg. Salary $126,958

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
8.6

Growth rate 16%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.4
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.66%

Asian 8.84%

Black or African American 7.48%

Hispanic or Latino 12.52%

Unknown 4.69%

White 65.82%

Gender

female 33.13%

male 66.87%

Age - 47
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47
Stress level
8.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.1

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a director of project management?

Pros

  • High level of responsibility and authority

  • Competitive salary and benefits

  • High demand for experienced project management professionals

  • Ability to influence and shape organizational strategy

  • Opportunity to make a significant impact on business outcomes

Cons

  • Long hours and frequent travel may be required

  • Difficult decisions and trade-offs may need to be made

  • Dealing with conflicts and resolving issues can be challenging

  • Need to balance competing priorities and manage conflicting demands from various stakeholders

  • High level of responsibility can result in significant stress and pressure

Director of project management career paths

Key steps to become a director of project management

  1. Explore director of project management education requirements

    Most common director of project management degrees

    Bachelor's

    70.9 %

    Master's

    19.3 %

    Associate

    5.8 %
  2. Start to develop specific director of project management skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Oversight9.12%
    Risk Management5.82%
    Resource Management5.26%
    Business Objectives5.22%
    Healthcare5.15%
  3. Research director of project management duties and responsibilities

    • Develop and manage RFP processes to procure third party products and services.
    • Manage & facilitate agile scrum masters, project managers and business analysts including providing direction, guidance and training.
    • Develop and lead divisional IP application strategy and review process to improve patent return on investment and alignment with product strategies.
    • Direct logistics and manufacturing process at Baltimore depot and revamp of product line to achieve desire mission-readiness capability.
  4. Get director of project management experience

  5. Prepare your director of project management resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your director of project management resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a director of project management resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable director of project management resume templates

    Build a professional director of project management resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your director of project management resume.
    Director Of Project Management Resume
    Director Of Project Management Resume
    Director Of Project Management Resume
    Director Of Project Management Resume
    Director Of Project Management Resume
    Director Of Project Management Resume
    Director Of Project Management Resume
    Director Of Project Management Resume
    Director Of Project Management Resume
    Director Of Project Management Resume
    Director Of Project Management Resume
    Director Of Project Management Resume
    Director Of Project Management Resume
    Director Of Project Management Resume
    Director Of Project Management Resume
    Director Of Project Management Resume
  6. Apply for director of project management jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a director of project management job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first director of project management job

Zippi

Are you a director of project management?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average director of project management salary

The average director of project management salary in the United States is $126,958 per year or $61 per hour. Director of project management salaries range between $85,000 and $187,000 per year.

Average director of project management salary
$126,958 Yearly
$61.04 hourly

What am I worth?

salary-calculator

How do directors of project management rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Director of project management reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2023
Pros

I like to work with a team. Satisfaction of seeing the successful completion of a project

Cons

Strict deadlines, and stakeholders. Feeling undervalued or underappreciated.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2022
Cons

I am responsible for everything be it any side of the business


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020
Pros

keeping the company vibrant in the marketplace and returning maximum shareholder value

Cons

have to change my mindset


Working as a director of project management? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall rating*
Career growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

Director of project management FAQs

Search for director of project management jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse executive management jobs