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Project executive vs director of project management

The differences between project executives and directors of project management can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a director of project management has an average salary of $126,958, which is higher than the $123,391 average annual salary of a project executive.

The top three skills for a project executive include construction management, project management and healthcare. The most important skills for a director of project management are oversight, risk management, and resource management.

Project executive vs director of project management overview

Project ExecutiveDirector Of Project Management
Yearly salary$123,391$126,958
Hourly rate$59.32$61.04
Growth rate16%16%
Number of jobs137,160200,498
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age4747
Years of experience--

What does a project executive do?

A project executive spearheads the projects and programs of an organization, ensuring its completion within deadlines, budgets, and standards. They mainly have administrative duties, such as streamlining project requirements and guidelines, establishing goals and budgets, setting timelines, delegating responsibilities among teams, selecting resources and materials, and monitoring operations, addressing issues and concerns when any arise. Additionally, a project executive leads employees to reach goals and implements the company standards and policies for an efficient workflow and service.

What does a director of project management do?

Project management directors are the ones who develop and direct the strategic planning of different projects. The directors oversee the coordination of resources and personnel necessary for project completion. Typically, the directors require certification for project management. They develop a methodology for standardized project management in a balanced matrix organization. The directors should be equipped with skills in process improvement, customer service, infrastructure, portfolio management, and strategic initiatives. They should also have skills in communication, attention to detail, and leadership.

Project executive vs director of project management salary

Project executives and directors of project management have different pay scales, as shown below.

Project ExecutiveDirector Of Project Management
Average salary$123,391$126,958
Salary rangeBetween $79,000 And $191,000Between $85,000 And $187,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WAFoster City, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaCalifornia
Best paying companyEckardt GroupMeta
Best paying industry-Real Estate

Differences between project executive and director of project management education

There are a few differences between a project executive and a director of project management in terms of educational background:

Project ExecutiveDirector Of Project Management
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Project executive vs director of project management demographics

Here are the differences between project executives' and directors of project management' demographics:

Project ExecutiveDirector Of Project Management
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 74.4% Female, 25.6%Male, 66.9% Female, 33.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 9.0% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 7.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 8.8% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between project executive and director of project management duties and responsibilities

Project executive example 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.
  • Coordinate and manage project delivery of healthcare design and construction projects in collaboration with hospital staff.
  • Lead operational transformation projects, perform service line volume projections, and feasibility exercises for various facilities.
  • Show more

Director of project management example responsibilities.

  • Develop and manage RFP processes to procure third party products and services.
  • Manage & facilitate agile scrum masters, project managers and business analysts including providing direction, guidance and training.
  • Develop and lead divisional IP application strategy and review process to improve patent return on investment and alignment with product strategies.
  • Direct logistics and manufacturing process at Baltimore depot and revamp of product line to achieve desire mission-readiness capability.
  • Streamline and centralize usage of project management tools to manage dependencies and transparent delivery milestones for highly complex SaaS platforms
  • Lead scrum team through multiple development sprints for overall product improvement base on customer feedback and market research.
  • Show more

Project executive vs director of project management skills

Common project executive skills
  • Construction Management, 13%
  • Project Management, 11%
  • Healthcare, 9%
  • Business Development, 7%
  • Client Satisfaction, 5%
  • Portfolio, 4%
Common director of project management skills
  • Oversight, 9%
  • Risk Management, 6%
  • Resource Management, 5%
  • Business Objectives, 5%
  • Healthcare, 5%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 5%

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