What does an executive project manager do?
An executive project manager oversees a department's operations. They handle a workplace management team that directly manages short- and long-term projects. Typically, they are responsible for forming strategic programs, setting project goals, and monitoring program and project performance. They communicate with upper management to develop long-term strategic plans. They also record the organization's financial expenses, monitor funding, and approve spending plans.
Executive project manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real executive project manager resumes:
- Lead professional services engagements from assessment analysis to completion by partnering directly with healthcare providers to enhance revenue collection and efficiency.
- Foster IBM executive awareness of PMO by implementing standardize management system, ensuring consistent and efficient delivery to client.
- Act as part of the PMO review board to ensure business requirements are defined and assign.
- Institute technology processes to compliment the new healthcare facility and current business operations in order to increase productivity and patient experience.
- Interpret DOD regulations for government programs to ensure compliance with performance work statement.
- Charge with the development, implementation, and monitoring of policies regarding installation management throughout the DoD.
- Work with third party logistics provider to develop improve approach for packaging parts need at power plant sites during erection.
- Write requirements for payroll and accounting functions for DMH.
- Support the implementation of Postgre financial application within the modules of bank reconciliation, procurement, payroll, AR and AP.
- Design & implement equipment changes, logistics applications, and material acquisition methods.
- Supervise team of analysts reporting operational and outcomes metrics for a Medicaid care management program.
Executive project manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 26% of Executive Project Managers are proficient in Project Management, Project Scope, and Business Development.
We break down the percentage of Executive Project Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Project Management, 26%
Performed training coordination, enhancement and implementation, morale and retention project management, and productivity enhancement.
- Project Scope, 7%
Communicated both internally and externally to assess project scope and requirements.
- Business Development, 4%
Supported cross-functional proposal development efforts and delivery to client in partnership with client services and new business development teams.
- Infrastructure, 3%
Re-engineered organization wide document management system and IT infrastructure after conducting comprehensive financial and technical analysis of multiple vendors/products.
- Development Projects, 3%
Managed contracts for design/build and development projects with risk management.
- Business Process, 3%
Directed Process Re-engineering project including all Business Process Documentation, Gap Analysis, Process Redesign and Change Management.
"project management," "project scope," and "business development" are among the most common skills that executive project managers use at work. You can find even more executive project manager responsibilities below, including:
The three companies that hire the most executive project managers are:
- Morgan Stanley2 executive project managers jobs
- Intermountain Healthcare2 executive project managers jobs
- Nicklaus Children's Hospital2 executive project managers jobs
Compare different executive project managers
Executive project manager vs. Information technology project manager
An information technology project manager is responsible for supervising the technology department, ensuring that all tasks are being done by following technological strategies and solutions. Information technology project managers' duties include monitoring the technology team's daily operation, handling team members' concerns, managing customers' inquiries and complaints, helping team members' in achieving their professional growth, creating reports, sharing updates during team and board meetings, and maintaining effectivity of operational procedures. An information technology project manager must have excellent leadership and decision-making skills to decide on the best strategies in meeting the company's objectives.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an executive project manager are more likely to require skills like "development projects," "oversight," "project completion," and "business plan." On the other hand, a job as an information technology project manager requires skills like "scrum," "software development," "technical support," and "excellent organizational." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Information technology project managers really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $120,713. Comparatively, executive project managers tend to make the most money in the hospitality industry with an average salary of $119,154.On average, information technology project managers reach similar levels of education than executive project managers. Information technology project managers are 2.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Executive project manager vs. Project manager/team lead
Project Managers are responsible for managing and overseeing the operations of a project from inception to completion. Their duties include defining project scope, developing a project plan, creating work breakdown structures to distribute resources, and communicating responsibilities to all project team members and vendors. They organizie work schedules, set milestones, track project progress, resolve technical issues, articulate roadblocks to project sponsors, propose risk mitigation strategies, and maintain project documentation. Project Managers also handle file submission for project closure, conduct post-project evaluations, supervise project communications, act as chairman in project status meetings, develop project governance structures and liaise with system security managers to coordinate system security activities.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, executive project manager responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "development projects," "oversight," "project completion," and "business plan." Meanwhile, a project manager/team lead has duties that require skills in areas such as "status reports," "project budget," "scrum," and "windows." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Project managers/team lead tend to reach similar levels of education than executive project managers. In fact, they're 0.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Executive project manager vs. Project manager & leader
A project manager & leader is responsible for monitoring the overall project management and staff operations, ensuring the efficiency and accuracy of project deliverables to meet the client's requirements, and achieving the highest customer satisfaction. Project managers/leaders implement strategic procedures to minimize costs while maximizing operational productivity. They identify business opportunities by analyzing the current market trends to develop services that would meet the clients' demands and the public's interests. A project manager & leader also handles the department budget, allocating adequate resources, and maintaining an organized delegation of tasks for the employees.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, executive project managers are more likely to have skills like "development projects," "application development," "oversight," and "project completion." But a project manager & leader is more likely to have skills like "strong problem-solving," "post implementation," "project plan," and "customer satisfaction."
Project managers & leader earn the highest salary when working in the health care industry, where they receive an average salary of $104,848. Comparatively, executive project managers have the highest earning potential in the hospitality industry, with an average salary of $119,154.project managers & leader typically earn similar educational levels compared to executive project managers. Specifically, they're 2.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Executive project manager vs. Manager, project management
The role of a project management manager involves the planning, execution, monitoring, control, and closure of projects. Project managers oversee the scope of the entire project, the team, success or failure, and its resources. They facilitate productivity and commitment, remove obstacles, and motivate their team members. Their skills should include leadership, critical thinking, communication, negotiating, and risk management. They should also know about cost management, scheduling, and task management.
Types of executive project manager
Updated January 8, 2025