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What is a project executive and how to become one

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

A project executive is a management executive that directly oversees the running of short-term and long-term projects. You will be expected to develop guidelines and strategies to ensure that all project goals are attained within the stipulated time frame.

Some of your responsibilities include creating and managing the company's fiscal operating and capital budgeting expenses, regular monitoring of the company's performance metrics, and approving funding plans. Your job is to see to the completion of projects right from the ideation stage. You will also be charged with the responsibility of setting timelines, delegating responsibilities, addressing any issues and concerns, and ensuring company standards and policies are upheld.

Project management is no doubt a top skill for this role. Excellent communication skills, analytical skills, and leadership skills are highly essential for this role. The most commonly required educational level is a bachelor's degree. Project executives earn as high as $63.53 an hour and $132,000 annually.

What general advice would you give to a Project Executive?

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.
ScoreProject ExecutiveUS Average
Salary
8.2

Avg. Salary $123,391

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
8.6

Growth rate 16%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.4
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.66%

Asian 8.97%

Black or African American 7.62%

Hispanic or Latino 12.77%

Unknown 4.70%

White 65.28%

Gender

female 25.58%

male 74.42%

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
8.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.1

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Project Executive career paths

Key steps to become a project executive

  1. Explore project executive education requirements

    Most common project executive degrees

    Bachelor's

    67.4 %

    Master's

    19.7 %

    Associate

    6.7 %
  2. Start to develop specific project executive skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Construction Management12.70%
    Project Management11.27%
    Healthcare8.94%
    Business Development6.99%
    Client Satisfaction4.75%
  3. Research project executive duties and responsibilities

    • Note for co-authoring and managing RFP process.
    • Manage projects using ITIL and SDLC methodologies.
    • Manage vendors and internal service owners to create the proper operating model to deliver service against SLAs.
    • Lead cross-functional team delivery execution of top-of-rack and embed converged network architecture switches.
  4. Get project executive experience

  5. Apply for project executive jobs

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

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Average project executive salary

The average project executive salary in the United States is $123,391 per year or $59 per hour. Project executive salaries range between $79,000 and $191,000 per year.

Average Project Executive Salary
$123,391 Yearly
$59.32 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do project executives rate their job?

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Project Executive reviews

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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.


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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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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.


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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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