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Executive project manager skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted experts
Elisa Chan,
Nicole Jones Young Ph.D.
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical executive project manager skills. We ranked the top skills for executive project managers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 25.8% of executive project manager resumes contained project management as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an executive project manager needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 executive project manager skills for your resume and career

1. Project Management

Here's how executive project managers use project management:
  • Performed training coordination, enhancement and implementation, morale and retention project management, and productivity enhancement.
  • Spearheaded the project management proposition, development of overall strategy, implementation plans and delivery schedule.

2. Project Scope

Here's how executive project managers use project scope:
  • Communicated both internally and externally to assess project scope and requirements.
  • Created an improvement program for issue & change management to get project scope under control.

3. Business Development

Business development is the ideas or initiatives that work to make business work better. Selling, advertising, product development, supply chain management, and vendor management are only a few of the divisions involved with it. There is still a lot of networking, negotiating, forming alliances, and trying to save money. The goals set for business development guide and coordinate with all of these various operations and sectors.

Here's how executive project managers use business development:
  • Supported cross-functional proposal development efforts and delivery to client in partnership with client services and new business development teams.
  • Developed and conducted estimating, purchasing, supplier / customer relations and business development.

4. Infrastructure

Infrastructure includes the organizational and physical structures needed to run an area or a society smoothly. It is a group of basic facilities required for any society or firm to run sustainably and efficiently. The infrastructural system is a high investing area and helps majorly in flourishing the economy and prosperity of a country. It is an underlying system needed for ensuring the safety and comfort of the public and to run a country smoothly. All the tasks needed to be performed for a flourishing economy and a happy and healthy public are included in infrastructure.

Here's how executive project managers use infrastructure:
  • Re-engineered organization wide document management system and IT infrastructure after conducting comprehensive financial and technical analysis of multiple vendors/products.
  • Coordinated with engineers for requirements on Structural, Mechanical, Electrical and Infrastructure drawings and requirements for installation.

5. Development Projects

Development Projects include all contracts, constructions, and projects that may develop an area for housing or commercial construction. These projects frequently require multiple departments to prepare the space for construction projects, including how the construction will take place, who will finance the project, and whether any refurbishments or renovations will be needed.

Here's how executive project managers use development projects:
  • Managed contracts for design/build and development projects with risk management.
  • Executed and managed the implementation of development projects.

6. Business Process

A business process is a group of tasks that are performed by people working in a business to attain a worthy product and to present it to their customers. A business process can also be defined as performing several steps to achieve a certain goal set by a company. Business processes need to set purposeful goals and the outcome of that goal should be clear.

Here's how executive project managers use business process:
  • Directed Process Re-engineering project including all Business Process Documentation, Gap Analysis, Process Redesign and Change Management.
  • Redesigned operational business processes for two internet marketing companies resulting in a 15 percent ROI.

7. Application Development

Here's how executive project managers use application development:
  • Conceptualized responsive mobile/web application development components within digital program.
  • Initiated and launched a Quality Assurance Department for increased testing, driving quality excellence in all system and application development company-wide.

8. Microsoft Project

Here's how executive project managers use microsoft project:
  • Prepared and managed project budgets and budget performance using tools such as Microsoft Project and others.
  • Develop and maintain project plans using Microsoft Project 2000.

9. Oversight

Having oversight of someone means to monitor a process or a situation. If someone has oversight of something, they are responsible for the completion of the project. Oversight is usually given to experts as they monitor their juniors or newbies as they go through a project.

Here's how executive project managers use oversight:
  • Complete oversight of overseas development of 3 software titles.
  • Managed oversight of building and information technological infrastructures relating to hydroelectric energy generation and distribution to over 40 million customers.

10. Project Completion

A project completion refers to the level and date of completion of a particular program or project. It is the last and final phase of the project's cycle before it will consider as done. One of the criteria of these includes making sure that all necessary procedure is complete. It also serves as a basis for progress and the assessment when a project meets the quality standard.

Here's how executive project managers use project completion:
  • Managed a team of project managers and assistant project managers and superintends to execute customers goals and objectives for project completions.
  • Originated HVAC designs and wrote procedures to ensure project completions, RFI, and Change Order effectiveness.

11. Business Plan

Here's how executive project managers use business plan:
  • Obtain financial trust from local lenders and private lenders with a business plan that I developed.
  • Defined and executed all plans to support the annual business plan.

12. Human Resources

Human resources is a set of people in a business or a corporation that are designated to locate, interview, and recruit new employees into the company. They are also responsible to maintain the integrity of the employees and help them sort their problems out. They try to introduce and manage employee-benefit programs.

Here's how executive project managers use human resources:
  • Performed ROI analysis to determine Human Resources programs and intervention effectiveness.
  • Prepared and monitored annual Human Resources budget.

13. Process Improvement

Here's how executive project managers use process improvement:
  • Orchestrate and establish vital links resulting in improving clients' business relationships and maximizing return on investment through process improvement.
  • Advanced billing accuracy by implementing process improvements, yielding 900 fewer errors annually.

14. PMO

Project management office or, as is often abbreviated, PMO is a part often found in larger companies, agencies, and other organizations of varying sizes. This department's main focus is to create, alter, and help implement project management policies and regulations within their enterprise, through a number of methods and means, such as documents, guides, and personal assistance. A PMO is truly helpful in standardising and improving the way projects are handled, and thus should be good at minimising costs, errors, and incidents.

Here's how executive project managers use pmo:
  • Fostered IBM executive awareness of PMO by implementing standardized management system, ensuring consistent and efficient delivery to client.
  • Achieved results, including lightweight PMO for documentation templates for processes, PM support, best practices, knowledge and collaboration.

15. Construction Projects

A construction project is an organized process of constructing, redeveloping, renovating, or otherwise improving a building, or structure. The project phase begins usually as a broad criterion that is then made with the help of a brief, feasibility analysis, funding, and planning. The majority of construction projects are one-time jobs.

Here's how executive project managers use construction projects:
  • Coordinated use of bid specifications with nationally recognized architectural firms for use in commercial and municipal construction projects.
  • Supervised and completed various maintenance and construction projects as needed for the facility
top-skills

What skills help Executive Project Managers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on executive project manager resumes?

Elisa Chan

Assistant Professor of Marketing, New York Institute of Technology

In my opinion, the fundamental skills required for marketing jobs haven't really changed. What changed is where or how these skills are applied. So my response to this question might sound cliche, but I strongly believe that it is true. Strong statistics and marketing analytics ability to show that you are able to make data-driven decisions. Interpersonal skills to show that you can respectfully and effectively interact with others, which are indicative of how you will manage work relationship as well as that with clients and customers.

What executive project manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

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

Assistant Professor of Organizational Behavior, Franklin and Marshall College

Gap years are interesting to me. There is a difference between someone who has ample monetary resources and voluntarily decides to take a "gap" year to travel the world, as opposed to someone who involuntarily takes a "gap" year because they legitimately cannot find a job.
For students who opt not enter the workforce immediately upon graduation, I would recommend that they utilize this time in a strategic fashion, primarily expanding their network, increasing their skills related to data analytics/analysis, and reading or researching within the broader business field as well as their particular field of interest. Expanding your network is always beneficial because of the value employers place on referrals. If students do not know where to start, I would recommend they join their applicable professional organization and begin attending events (virtual events can still help build relationships).
While specific job duties may differ, the ability to understand and utilize data is in high demand in virtually every job role. Having comfort with data-both quantitative and qualitative--can be a highly beneficial skill that many in the job market may not have to offer.
I also recommend continued reading and researching, as whenever you do enter the workforce you want to know what is going on. I am never surprised, but always disappointed when I ask my students if they heard the latest job numbers or if they saw a recent news article. It is hard to articulate your value to an organization's problems if you are unaware of what they are. Stay current.
Interestingly, I would not recommend that someone enroll in a graduate program simply to take up time. If you just love school, have a clear focus, or had already planned to enroll in graduate school prior to COVID, then proceed. However, if you are unsure about your interests or future career goals, enrolling in a graduate program may be a large investment of time and money that may not result in securing a job of interest upon completion.

What type of skills will young executive project managers need?

Jennifer TockmanJennifer Tockman LinkedIn profile

Director of Career Development and BOLD Women's Leadership Network, Colby-Sawyer College

Flexibility, ability to adapt to whatever style work style, and the environment we are using given the world around us, working as a team (even if remote), can be a self-learner, especially in a private fashion. Excellent communication skills are also essential for success.

What technical skills for an executive project manager stand out to employers?

Angela Sebby Ph.D.Angela Sebby Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Assistant Professor, Western Carolina University

Business, creative, and organizational skills - I would recommend that upcoming graduates are proficient in Word, Excel (highly used), Powerpoint, Outlook (especially how to send meeting requests and calendar organization), TEAMS, Gantt charts for team management, Mindmapping for creativity, and design software. Additionally, I would recommend that they learn how to properly utilize social media for marketing and PR, not just personal posting. Finally, email etiquette would be essential.

What soft skills should all executive project managers possess?

Milena Stanislavova Ph.D.Milena Stanislavova Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Professor of Mathematics and Chair of Economics Department, University of Kansas

Working and collaborating in groups, presenting to different audiences, writing technical reports, grant applications and researching new topics are all essential soft skills. Much of today's world relies on data, so collecting, summarizing, organizing and presenting data is also an important soft skill that is becoming quite fundamental.

List of executive project manager skills to add to your resume

Executive project manager skills

The most important skills for an executive project manager resume and required skills for an executive project manager to have include:

  • Project Management
  • Project Scope
  • Business Development
  • Infrastructure
  • Development Projects
  • Business Process
  • Application Development
  • Microsoft Project
  • Oversight
  • Project Completion
  • Business Plan
  • Human Resources
  • Process Improvement
  • PMO
  • Construction Projects
  • Data Warehouse
  • Agile Project Management
  • Travel Arrangements
  • Executive Leadership
  • Architecture
  • Executive Management
  • Risk Management
  • Management System
  • Real Estate
  • ERP
  • SDLC
  • Press Releases
  • Strategic Plan
  • SharePoint
  • SQL
  • Salesforce
  • Customer Relationships
  • RFP
  • Cost Savings
  • SEO
  • Conference Calls
  • HVAC
  • Direct Reports
  • Expense Reports
  • Professional Development
  • Client Satisfaction
  • Client Relations
  • RFI
  • CIO
  • Contract Negotiations
  • C-Level
  • SLA
  • QuickBooks
  • PeopleSoft
  • Organizational Change Management

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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