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

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted experts
Dr. Laura Deeter PhD,
Meaghan Goodman Ph.D.

A Project Management Office Director, a role also referred to as a PMO Director, is responsible for creating, organizing, and implementing various strategies and business programs and ensuring that they are done on time and within the allocated budget.

Among other things, these directors' duties involve collaborating with other directors, managers, and other personnel in order to understand the parameters of a project. They are also responsible for guiding and aiding employees, conducting research and using found data and results to better develop projects and strategies, crafting new project management office policies, creating and maintaining important documents and reports, and otherwise improving upon programs and their components.

Generally, a person seeking employment in this position needs to have a Bachelor's in Business or Business Administration or equivalent experience. A Master's may be advantageous. Years of past experience in their field are necessary, as well as good communication and organization skills. On average, a Project Management Office Director earns $54.57 an hour or $113,514 a year.

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

Dr. Laura Deeter PhD

Professor of Practice: Horticulture and Crop Science, Ohio State University

Be open to learning and trying something outside of your comfort zone.
Be willing to work hard and don't expect to be project manager right out of school. Hard work will get you there fast enough.
ScoreDirector Project Management OfficeUS Average
Salary
9.1

Avg. Salary $155,609

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 9.01%

Black or African American 7.65%

Hispanic or Latino 12.83%

Unknown 4.70%

White 65.15%

Gender

female 30.97%

male 69.03%

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

Director project management office career paths

Key steps to become a director project management office

  1. Explore director project management office education requirements

    Most common director project management office degrees

    Bachelor's

    70.1 %

    Master's

    22.0 %

    Associate

    5.3 %
  2. Start to develop specific director project management office skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Oversight5.95%
    Program Management5.76%
    Portfolio Management5.69%
    Process Improvement4.91%
    Project Portfolio3.76%
  3. Research director project management office duties and responsibilities

    • Manage project resource allocations, including developers, QA engineers, architectures, and business analysts.
    • Streamline and centralize usage of project management tools to manage dependencies and transparent delivery milestones for highly complex SaaS platforms
    • Establish a reporting structure to integrate project financial data into technology portfolio management for oversight of fiscal year spend.
    • Guide staff using ITIL & PMI templates, tools and techniques.
  4. Get director project management office experience

  5. Prepare your director project management office resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your director project management office 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 project management office 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 project management office resume templates

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    Director Project Management Office Resume
    Director Project Management Office Resume
    Director Project Management Office Resume
    Director Project Management Office Resume
    Director Project Management Office Resume
    Director Project Management Office Resume
    Director Project Management Office Resume
    Director Project Management Office Resume
    Director Project Management Office Resume
  6. Apply for director project management office jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a director project management office 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 project management office job

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Average director project management office salary

The average director project management office salary in the United States is $155,609 per year or $75 per hour. Director project management office salaries range between $102,000 and $235,000 per year.

Average director project management office salary
$155,609 Yearly
$74.81 hourly

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Director project management office reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Pros

I enjoy problem-solving and identifying a path to completing a complex project. I like to ensure that moving parts come together smoothly and communicating successes and celebrating with the team.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2020
Pros

I love managing teams and taking the challenge


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A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020
Pros

Project concept, execution - meeting business and Customer expectations.


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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.

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