What does a project development director do?
Project development director responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real project development director resumes:
- Manage qualitative projects from study design through analysis for consumer package goods, business-to-business, healthcare and pharmaceutical research projects.
- Authore and approve all request for proposal (RFP), engineering test reports and test plans used to provide services.
- Provide oversight and direction on domestic and international projects impacting commercial markets, including conducting competitive assessments base on project results.
- Train the Mid-Atlantic technicians on Oracle/Sun base servers, applications & daily troubleshooting.
- Supervise team of analysts reporting operational and outcomes metrics for a Medicaid care management program.
Project development director skills and personality traits
We calculated that 20% of Project Development Directors are proficient in Renewable Energy, Project Management, and Real Estate. They’re also known for soft skills such as Business skills, Collaboration skills, and Instructional skills.
We break down the percentage of Project Development Directors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Renewable Energy, 20%
Consult and Direct large scale Sales and Marketing functions for leading West Coast distributor of renewable energy products.
- Project Management, 18%
Developed, staffed, and managed a Project Management organization to implement all new product development and major projects/programs.
- Real Estate, 9%
Identified and successfully developed financial proposals / venture capital for projects in urban transportation, real estate, and International Trade.
- Architecture, 7%
Supported the regional marketing activities of a national architecture firm.
- Development Process, 6%
Directed internal corporate resources allocated to project development process.
- Development Projects, 4%
Evaluated and directed development projects on the advancement of racial minorities in Peru through education.
Common skills that a project development director uses to do their job include "renewable energy," "project management," and "real estate." You can find details on the most important project development director responsibilities below.
Business skills. One of the key soft skills for a project development director to have is business skills. You can see how this relates to what project development directors do because "training and development managers must understand business operations in order to match training with business goals." Additionally, a project development director resume shows how project development directors use business skills: "directed the business process from financial analysis and evaluation through proposal, negotiating, contracting, execution and initial operation phases. "
Collaboration skills. Many project development director duties rely on collaboration skills. "training and development managers need strong interpersonal skills because delivering training programs requires working in concert with staff, trainees, subject matter experts, and the organization’s leaders," so a project development director will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways project development director responsibilities rely on collaboration skills: "provide project management, in charge of assignments, schedules, budgets and close collaboration. "
Instructional skills. project development directors are also known for instructional skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to project development director responsibilities, because "training and development managers need to understand the fundamentals of teaching and lesson planning." A project development director resume example shows how instructional skills is used in the workplace: "provide professional development for staff and teachers for increased retention of qualified instructional staff. "
Leadership skills. For certain project development director responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "leadership skills." The day-to-day duties of a project development director rely on this skill, as "managers are often in charge of a staff and programs." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what project development directors do: "provide leadership and strategic plan for the growth of the office in customer markets outlined in the business plan. "
Communication skills. Another crucial skill for a project development director to carry out their responsibilities is "communication skills." A big part of what project development directors relies on this skill, since "training and development managers must clearly convey information to diverse audiences." How this skill relates to project development director duties can be seen in an example from a project development director resume snippet: "utilized microsoft excel, outlook and powerpoint to manage project scope, communication and timelines. "
The three companies that hire the most project development directors are:
- Florida Power and Light 18 project development directors jobs
- Black & Veatch8 project development directors jobs
- Cushman & Wakefield3 project development directors jobs
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Compare different project development directors
Project development director vs. Program manager
A program manager is responsible for monitoring the project's progress, improving and developing new strategies, and coordinate various projects across the organization to ensure the success of the business objective. Program managers also manage the program's expenses, ensuring that the projects adhere to the budget goals without compromising the quality and accuracy of the result. A program manager should regularly connect with the different teams of every project under the program to keep track of the processes and procedures for the timely delivery of the product.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a project development director are more likely to require skills like "renewable energy," "real estate," "architecture," and "development process." On the other hand, a job as a program manager requires skills like "program management," "oversight," "customer service," and "infrastructure." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Program managers really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $115,112. Comparatively, project development directors tend to make the most money in the hospitality industry with an average salary of $127,359.On average, program managers reach similar levels of education than project development directors. Program managers are 2.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Project development director vs. Call center manager
Call center managers specialize in overseeing call center operations and agents' performances, ensuring that customers are satisfied. Aside from this, they are mostly involved in hiring and training new agents, shaping them into productive workforce members. As managers, they must lead by setting targets, encouraging agents, and devising strategies to meet them, even providing support when issues are difficult to resolve. Furthermore, call center managers must implement and adhere to all policies and regulations of the company.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real project development director resumes. While project development director responsibilities can utilize skills like "renewable energy," "project management," "real estate," and "architecture," call center managers use skills like "strong customer service," "customer satisfaction," "call center management," and "center management."
On average, call center managers earn a lower salary than project development directors. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, call center managers earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $38,934. Whereas project development directors have higher pay in the hospitality industry, with an average salary of $127,359.In general, call center managers achieve lower levels of education than project development directors. They're 14.8% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Project development director vs. Management associate
A management associate is responsible for assisting the management operations, supporting administrative and clerical tasks, and coordinating with other departments for project support to meet the organization's objectives and profitability goals. Management associates often respond to clients' inquiries and concerns on behalf of the executives, documenting their needs, and immediately escalating high-level complaints to appropriate personnel. They also meet with suppliers and other third-party vendors, negotiating contracts for business needs. A management associate must have excellent communication, be organized, and have time-management skills to perform duties in a fast-paced environment.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a project development director is likely to be skilled in "renewable energy," "architecture," "development process," and "development projects," while a typical management associate is skilled in "customer service," "portfolio," "risk management," and "patients."
Management associates earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $93,348. Comparatively, project development directors have the highest earning potential in the hospitality industry, with an average salary of $127,359.When it comes to education, management associates tend to earn lower degree levels compared to project development directors. In fact, they're 9.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Project development director vs. Consultant/project manager
Consultants/project managers act as planners, leaders, and advisors in business enterprises. These professionals facilitate meetings and establish positive relationships with vendors, management, and clients. They make customer visits, maintain industry knowledge, procure third-party software and hardware, and deliver projects. It is also part of their duty to manage complex initiatives in an individual business unit or organization. Their skills include analytical, time and cost management, problem-solving, interpersonal skills, and proficiency in project management software.
Types of project development director
Updated January 8, 2025
