What does a project management assistant do?
Project Management Assistants will require networking, communication, organization skills, and an associate degree. However, a bachelor's or master's degree may be preferable in some cases, in addition to certain certifications or licenses. This career choice will require the coordination of projects with communication and project management skills and the identification of client needs into an actionable plan that meets budget requirements.
Project management assistant responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real project management assistant resumes:
- Process submittals, RFI, subcontract change orders, manage project correspondence, track project documents, closeout documentation.
- Manage quality assurance checks for FDA and internal audits which result in no documentation/information error and successful completion of the audits.
- Print and make changes to AutoCAD drawings and convert drawings to Visio when request.
- Perform manual QA testing for new and update work orders.
- Create high-level flowcharts in Visio to streamline database design and process flows.
- Document expeditor, schedule updates and reviews, write and track RFI progress, track issues.
- Process monthly payroll for staff; and effect payments for consultants online, with checks, and via wire transfer.
- Enter labor/salary updates and weekly payroll.
- Process Roll-on/Roll-off documentation for new and exiting employees via Microsoft SharePoint.
- Serve as records gatekeeper for project documentation and resource materials in SharePoint.
- Interpret Texas Medicaid rules, regulations, policies and procedures and conduct extensive research to resolve provider issues/problems.
- Proofread documents; assist with preparation of PowerPoint presentations; proposals, reports, contract documents and engineering specifications.
- Prepare sections of final report including photo logs, sketch maps, and assessment outcomes.
- Organize various workshops on micro-financing, social and vocational rehabilitation, and HIV awareness.
- Oversee all outgoing mail, FedEx, and express mails ensuring proper procedures are used in transporting hazardous material.
Project management assistant skills and personality traits
We calculated that 32% of Project Management Assistants are proficient in Project Management, Purchase Orders, and Financial Reports. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Organizational skills, and Writing skills.
We break down the percentage of Project Management Assistants that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Project Management, 32%
Provided Administrative/Project Management support for the largest passenger rail carrier in the Northeast, including executive administrative support to Sr.
- Purchase Orders, 7%
Prepare project implementation letters/orders, local/overseas purchase orders & letters of commitments.
- Financial Reports, 6%
Provided assistance to company accountant to finalize end-of-year financial reports and regularly updated database for consultants, clients, and vendors.
- Assist Project, 5%
Assist Project Managers in developing and improving templates and documentation, including implementation of Agile principles.
- Meeting Minutes, 5%
Coordinated and attended staff meetings while compiling and circulating meeting minutes.
- ISO, 4%
Assisted development and management of ISO 9000, Total Productive Maintenance and Total Quality Management systems, and ship building projects.
Most project management assistants use their skills in "project management," "purchase orders," and "financial reports" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential project management assistant responsibilities here:
Interpersonal skills. The most essential soft skill for a project management assistant to carry out their responsibilities is interpersonal skills. This skill is important for the role because "secretaries and administrative assistants interact with clients, customers, or staff." Additionally, a project management assistant resume shows how their duties depend on interpersonal skills: "cash handling, tech supervisor, general office skills, interpersonal and customer service skills department manager"
Organizational skills. Another essential skill to perform project management assistant duties is organizational skills. Project management assistants responsibilities require that "secretaries and administrative assistants keep files, folders, and schedules in order so that an office runs efficiently." Project management assistants also use organizational skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "maintain all critical team documentation, including organizational charts, vital hr documentation, and time tracking procedures. "
Writing skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of project management assistants is writing skills. This skill is critical to many everyday project management assistant duties, as "secretaries and administrative assistants write memos and emails when communicating with managers, employees, and customers." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "performed administrative tasks which included word processing, screening calls, writing and editing correspondence, and compiling and coordinating mailings. "
The three companies that hire the most project management assistants are:
- Northrop Grumman6 project management assistants jobs
- Stantec4 project management assistants jobs
- Holland Residential3 project management assistants jobs
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Compare different project management assistants
Project management assistant vs. Assistant secretary
An assistant secretary is responsible for performing administrative and clerical duties to support the daily operations of various departments and management personnel and ensure the efficiency of business functions. Assistant secretaries usually assist in business communications, responding to customers' inquiries and concerns, reaching out to existing clients to schedule appointments, welcoming guests on the office, and routing calls to the appropriate department. They also handle data entry procedures, updating customer information on the database, as well as creating reports on business and financial transactions.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a project management assistant are more likely to require skills like "project management," "purchase orders," "assist project," and "iso." On the other hand, a job as an assistant secretary requires skills like "telephone calls," "scheduling appointments," "financial statements," and "computer system." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Assistant secretaries tend to reach similar levels of education than project management assistants. In fact, assistant secretaries are 2.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.4% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Project management assistant vs. Assistant operator
The duties of an assistant operator depend on one's industry of employment or the kind of machine that they are operating. Typically, their tasks may revolve around coordinating with operators and other staff, handling and managing documents, understanding blueprints, and adhering to the directives of operators and supervisors. Furthermore, as an assistant operator, it is essential to perform support tasks, such as preparing tools and conducting regular maintenance checks to ensure the efficiency of machines and maintain a safe work environment.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real project management assistant resumes. While project management assistant responsibilities can utilize skills like "project management," "purchase orders," "financial reports," and "assist project," assistant operators use skills like "customer service," "ladders," "safety procedures," and "cash control."
Assistant operators earn a lower average salary than project management assistants. But assistant operators earn the highest pay in the energy industry, with an average salary of $43,976. Additionally, project management assistants earn the highest salaries in the professional with average pay of $69,484 annually.assistant operators earn lower levels of education than project management assistants in general. They're 6.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Project management assistant vs. Business assistant
A business assistant is responsible for supporting various office functions, performing administrative and clerical duties to ensure efficient and smooth business operations, and provide high-quality services to the customers and business partners. Business assistants handle data processing procedures, writing business transaction reports, and coordinating with suppliers and third-party vendors for any requests made by the company. They welcome visitors, verify their appointments, and direct them to the appropriate personnel or department for their business concerns. A business assistant also schedules a meeting, assist in accounting and human resources tasks, and support the executives on corporate decisions.
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 management assistant is likely to be skilled in "project management," "assist project," "meeting minutes," and "iso," while a typical business assistant is skilled in "customer service," "patients," "data entry," and "excellent organizational."
Business assistants make a very good living in the professional industry with an average annual salary of $40,932. On the other hand, project management assistants are paid the highest salary in the professional industry, with average annual pay of $69,484.When it comes to education, business assistants tend to earn similar degree levels compared to project management assistants. In fact, they're 3.0% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Project management assistant vs. Gallery assistant
In an art gallery, a gallery assistant is in charge of providing client assistance and administrative support. They typically greet and converse with visitors, discuss materials, answer inquiries, and assist in other services, all while exhibiting a professional and warm attitude. They may also coordinate programs and events, prepare and process documentation, liaise with external parties such as suppliers and distributors, and work together with designers and artists. Furthermore, a gallery assistant must manage the gallery while implementing its policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between project management assistants and gallery assistants, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a project management assistant might have more use for skills like "project management," "purchase orders," "financial reports," and "assist project." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of gallery assistants require skills like "artwork," "press releases," "front desk," and "photography. "
The education industry tends to pay the highest salaries for gallery assistants, with average annual pay of $39,418. Comparatively, the highest project management assistant annual salary comes from the professional industry.gallery assistants reach similar levels of education compared to project management assistants, in general. The difference is that they're 3.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Updated January 8, 2025
