What is an operations project manager and how to become one

Q: Can a project manager be an operations manager?

No, a project manager cannot be an operations manager. In most companies, there are two different roles, one for project managers and one for operation managers. Although there is some overlap between the two roles, each position usually has its own set of responsibilities and duties.

Q: How much do operations project managers make?

Operations project managers make, on average, $86,000 a year ($41.80 an hour). Depending on factors such as location and Industry type, the range in what an operations project manager can make is quite large, starting from as little as $60,000 to as much as $160,000 a year.

Q: How much should an operations manager be paid?

An operations manager should be paid $85,660 or higher. However, differences in pay rates can range from as high as $180,000 to as low as $50,000. The big discrepancy in salaries results from the differences in the operations manager's type of role from one industry to another.

Q: What are the duties of a project manager?

The duties of a project manager are to oversee all aspects of the project lifecycle, from conception, planning, execution, monitoring, and completion. In order to accomplish this, project managers use various project management software (e.g., Asana, Mondays, Smartsheets) and employ proven project management methodologies (e.g., SCRUM, Agile) to help ensure the best possible outcomes for the project.

Q: What does an operational project manager do?

An operational project manager does work related to managing various operations projects and also ensures that the operations project deliverables are accomplished on time. Operational project managers help to improve business operations, enhance process efficiency, and act as a liaison between various departments.

Q: What qualifications do I need to be an operations manager?

The qualifications needed to be an operations manager include a mixture of formal education and work experience. In some cases, with enough work experience, someone can move into an operations manager position with nothing more than a high school diploma.

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted experts

Eric Olsen,

Meaghan Goodman Ph.D.

An operations project manager oversees the planning, execution, and tracking of projects that involve the delivery of goods or services. They ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget. An operations project manager handles resources, coordinates with teams, and identifies risks. They create project plans and communicate progress to stakeholders. They also ensure that deliverables meet quality standards and comply with regulations. An operations project manager must have excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.

What general advice would you give to an operations project manager?

Eric Olsen

Professor, Industrial Technology and Packaging, Orfalea College of Business

Times of change are also times of great opportunities. We are going to need new technical solutions to address problems we are just learning about. You have to lean into the issues. Don't be a technologist - be a problem solver. That is why we also emphasize soft skills like lean six sigma, teamwork, and change management.

ScoreOperations Project ManagerUS Average

Salary

7.1

Avg. Salary $90,352

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

9.6

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.47%

Asian 6.42%

Black or African American 6.24%

Hispanic or Latino 15.40%

Unknown 4.35%

White 67.12%

Gender

female 31.33%

male 68.67%

Age - 44

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 - 44

Stress level

9.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.2

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

3.6

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an operations project manager?

Pros

Exposure to diverse areas of the business
Potential for career growth and advancement
Competitive salary and benefits
Opportunities for innovation and process improvement
Varied and challenging work assignments

Cons

High levels of stress and pressure to meet deadlines
Long hours and potential for overtime work
Potential for burnout or exhaustion due to workload demands
Risk of project failure or negative impact on the business
Need for strong communication and conflict resolution skills

Key steps to become an operations project manager

Explore operations project manager education requirements

Most common operations project manager degrees

Bachelor's

67.6 %

Master's

14.6 %

Associate

11.6 %

Start to develop specific operations project manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Project Management	19.69%
Business Operations	5.89%
Risk Management	4.51%
Process Improvement	4.19%
Business Process	4.08%

Complete relevant operations project manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New operations project managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an operations project manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real operations project manager resumes.

Gain additional operations project manager certifications

Operations project manager certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific operations project manager certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for operations project managers include Project Management Professional (PMP) and Six Sigma Green Belt.

More About Certifications

Research operations project manager duties and responsibilities

Manage resource allocation to help maximize ROI and focus on the division's strategy.
Manage operational programs that include the introduction and preparation for the manufacture of new products, design enhancements and OEM deviations.
Manage elaborate software implementation projects relate to national convenience store/gas station point of sale (POS) technology.
Manage payroll distribution process ensuring timeliness, accuracy, and confidentiality to protect client's privacy and prevent liability of exposure.

Prepare your operations project manager resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your operations 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 an operations 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 operations project manager resume templates

Build a professional operations 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 operations project manager resume.

Apply for operations project manager jobs

Now it's time to start searching for an operations project manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

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

How do operations project managers rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Operations project manager reviews

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.

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.

A zippia user wrote a review on May 2020

Pros

I like working with Clients and challenges.

Cons

I would rather work remote with little travel.

Operations project manager FAQs

What is an operations project manager and how to become one

What general advice would you give to an operations project manager?

What are the pros and cons of being an operations project manager?

Operations project manager career paths

Key steps to become an operations project manager

Explore operations project manager education requirements

Most common operations project manager degrees

Start to develop specific operations project manager skills

Complete relevant operations project manager training and internships

Gain additional operations project manager certifications

Research operations project manager duties and responsibilities

Prepare your operations project manager resume

Choose from 10+ customizable operations project manager resume templates

Apply for operations project manager jobs

How did you land your first operations project manager job

Average operations project manager salary

How do operations project managers rate their job?

Operations project manager reviews

Operations project manager FAQs

Can a project manager be an operations manager?

How much do operations project managers make?

How much should an operations manager be paid?

What are the duties of a project manager?

What does an operational project manager do?

What qualifications do I need to be an operations manager?

Search for operations project manager jobs