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What is a global project manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted experts
Nicole Jones Young Ph.D.,
Dr. Daryl Green

The primary role of a global project manager is to manage complex strategic projects in alignment with the company's goals. As a global project manager, you'll oversee the planning, managing, and delivery of business systems solutions and the likes. You'll develop and monitor project objectives from start to finish. This would include project planning, estimating budgets, directing schedules, executing and implementing projects.

You'll be responsible for ensuring projects meet all technical requirements and reporting project progress. Also, you'll coordinate activities, resolve issues, and manage risks and opportunities to ensure projects are within set schedules.

For this role, employers require a bachelor's degree in Project Management, Supply Chain, or a related area with at least two years of experience in a similar role. Candidates must possess communication, collaboration, multitasking, leadership, interpersonal, and computer skills. The Global Project Manager earns about $120,989 annually, but their salary ranges between $105,102 and $141,005.

What general advice would you give to a global project manager?

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.
ScoreGlobal Project ManagerUS Average
Salary
7.5

Avg. Salary $95,722

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.5

Growth rate 10%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.4
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.66%

Asian 8.80%

Black or African American 7.45%

Hispanic or Latino 12.46%

Unknown 4.68%

White 65.95%

Gender

female 43.50%

male 56.50%

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
7.5

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
9.0

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
3.5

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Global project manager career paths

Key steps to become a global project manager

  1. Explore global project manager education requirements

    Most common global project manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    68.1 %

    Master's

    21.7 %

    Associate

    6.5 %
  2. Start to develop specific global project manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Project Management21.50%
    Strong Project Management6.51%
    Global Project4.63%
    Infrastructure4.33%
    Risk Management4.29%
  3. Research global project manager duties and responsibilities

    • Lead global teams in creating and executing data and telephony infrastructure networking standards.
    • Streamline and centralize usage of project management tools to manage dependencies and transparent delivery milestones for highly complex SaaS platforms
    • Create and maintain documentation repository in SharePoint.
    • Document standardization and management through SharePoint site.
  4. Prepare your global project manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your global project manager 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 global project manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable global project manager resume templates

    Build a professional global project manager 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 global project manager resume.
    Global Project Manager Resume
    Global Project Manager Resume
    Global Project Manager Resume
    Global Project Manager Resume
    Global Project Manager Resume
    Global Project Manager Resume
    Global Project Manager Resume
    Global Project Manager Resume
    Global Project Manager Resume
  5. Apply for global project manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a global project manager 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 global project manager job

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Average global project manager salary

The average global project manager salary in the United States is $95,722 per year or $46 per hour. Global project manager salaries range between $69,000 and $131,000 per year.

Average global project manager salary
$95,722 Yearly
$46.02 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do global project managers rate their job?

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Global project manager 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 Aug 2020
Pros

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

Cons

have to change my mindset


profile
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.

Cons

Without the right support from project sponsors, a project manager is doomed to failure. There is an enormous amount of responsibility on a project manager to deliver a product on time and on budget, though without proper authority or backing, it's basically wheel spinning.


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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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