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What is a professional services project manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Nicole Jones Young Ph.D.

The role of a Professional Services Project Manager is to manage and deliver upon client projects while also making sure that it is done in a manner that sticks to the deadlines and the budget and in line with their own policies and goals.

It is difficult to pinpoint exactly what any one of these Project Managers does as part of their job. It is an industry and a position whose responsibilities and skills tend to vary a lot. Even their place of employment can be difficult to pin down. They may work in large companies or as freelancers and consultants. Generally, though, they help conceive and follow through with a project and a plan, offering their professional opinions and advice. They will often advise or even manage entire teams in this process and will thus need good communication, organization, and people skills.

Most often, these individuals will need to hold a Bachelor's degree in the field they wish to work in, and further education and specialization may be necessary. A few years of experience, at least, are generally required, and a portfolio of previous results is desirable.

What general advice would you give to a professional services 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.
ScoreProfessional Services Project ManagerUS Average
Salary
7.9

Avg. Salary $110,886

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity
4.1
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.51%

Asian 11.99%

Black or African American 6.24%

Hispanic or Latino 8.82%

Unknown 4.70%

White 67.73%

Gender

female 33.85%

male 66.15%

Age - 43
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 - 43
Stress level
7.4

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.5

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
3.7

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Professional services project manager career paths

Key steps to become a professional services project manager

  1. Explore professional services project manager education requirements

    Most common professional services project manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    73.1 %

    Master's

    14.5 %

    Associate

    9.2 %
  2. Start to develop specific professional services project manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Project Management17.56%
    Customer Satisfaction11.99%
    Process Improvement8.16%
    Resource Management7.22%
    Customer Support5.74%
  3. Complete relevant professional services project manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New professional services 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 a professional services project manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real professional services project manager resumes.
  4. Research professional services project manager duties and responsibilities

    • Excel in managing budget up to [] for enterprise customer to bring financial aid solution in-house using ERP solution.
    • Manage the successful implementation of multiple healthcare and financial payment applications and enhancements.
    • Lead cross-functional project teams comprise of development, analysis, architecture, quality assurance, implementation, documentation and training resources.
    • Attend daily scrum calls and biweekly iteration planning, review and retrospective meetings
  5. Prepare your professional services project manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your professional services 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 professional services 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 professional services project manager resume templates

    Build a professional professional services 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 professional services project manager resume.
    Professional Services Project Manager Resume
    Professional Services Project Manager Resume
    Professional Services Project Manager Resume
    Professional Services Project Manager Resume
    Professional Services Project Manager Resume
    Professional Services Project Manager Resume
    Professional Services Project Manager Resume
    Professional Services Project Manager Resume
    Professional Services Project Manager Resume
  6. Apply for professional services project manager jobs

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

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Average professional services project manager salary

The average professional services project manager salary in the United States is $110,886 per year or $53 per hour. Professional services project manager salaries range between $85,000 and $143,000 per year.

Average professional services project manager salary
$110,886 Yearly
$53.31 hourly

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How do professional services project managers rate their job?

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Professional services 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

not applicable because I dont work as a technical project manager

Cons

not applicable because I dont work as a technical project manager


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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