What does a project management lead do?
A project management lead is in charge of overseeing all processes involved in the planning and delivery of projects in an organization. Their responsibilities typically revolve around coordinating departments and personnel involved in every project to ensure accuracy and timeliness, managing budget and expenditures, producing progress reports and presentations, assessing risks, and delivering optimal quality results. Furthermore, as a management lead, it is crucial to lead and encourage team members, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Project management lead responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real project management lead resumes:
- Manage system architecture design, software development and QA testing process.
- Direct and oversee multiple PMs and/or team leads on complex projects.
- Manage and maintain all financial responsibilities including receivables, payroll, taxation, budgeting, internal audit and compliance and bookkeeping.
- Plan, develop, and lead cross-functional project teams to develop and implement infrastructure solutions and product offerings using PMI methodology.
- Manage several mechanical retrofit projects for Verizon.
- Manage ITIL process implementation review of change and configuration management.
- Develop a model for a hawaiian-base non-profit healthcare organization to initiate a cultural shift towards continuous process improvement and empower employees.
- Lead sprint plan / daily scrum sessions.
- Help to setup scrum trainings for the company.
- Develop multiple SolidWorks drawings for each new prototype.
- Used UNIX commands in AIX environments to perform administrative tasks.
- Work extensively with SolidWorks and PRO/E modeling parts and assemblies.
- Recruit new HVAC crew that complete projects faster and more efficiently.
- Implement new and improve process and procedures in accordance with the SDLC methodology.
- Monitor securities and trade data processing via BizTalk and UNIX DataStage ETL tools.
Project management lead skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Project Management Leads are proficient in Project Management, Customer Service, and Portfolio. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Interpersonal skills.
We break down the percentage of Project Management Leads that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Project Management, 12%
Developed and implemented project management standards to institutionalize and improve company-wide project performance for Information Technology, Engineering and Research organizations.
- Customer Service, 10%
Provided outstanding customer service with both internal and external clients and worked effectively under stringent deadlines from vendors and internal customers.
- Portfolio, 6%
Defined portfolio that included a comprehensive list of existing and proposed projects; strategically aligned, evaluated and prioritized initiatives.
- Risk Management, 6%
Saved millions in possible liability and civil suits by introducing new performance-based metrics informing security strategy and risk management.
- Plumbing, 5%
Selected plumbing, heating, and industrial hardware for contractors to meet job specifications.
- Organizational Change Management, 4%
Conceptualized organizational change management concepts and led the subcommittee to develop and execute enterprise communication strategies; revamped the programs or processes
Common skills that a project management lead uses to do their job include "project management," "customer service," and "portfolio." You can find details on the most important project management lead responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a project management lead to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "management analysts must be able to interpret information and use their findings to make proposals." Project management leads often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "led data conversion of hr infotypes for pa, om and benefits using lsmw. "
Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling project management lead duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "management analysts must be able to convey information clearly in both writing and speaking." According to a project management lead resume, here's how project management leads can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "managed all hr aspects of transition including recruiting, compensation, benefits, and communication. "
Interpersonal skills. project management leads are also known for interpersonal skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to project management lead responsibilities, because "management analysts work with managers and other employees of the organizations for which they provide consulting services." A project management lead resume example shows how interpersonal skills is used in the workplace: "provide excellent oral and written communication skills as well as excellent interpersonal and organizational skill. "
Problem-solving skills. For certain project management lead responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of a project management lead rely on this skill, as "management analysts must be able to think creatively to solve clients’ problems." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what project management leads do: "serve as an authoritative contact for ocm solutions at huntsman for the project. "
Time-management skills. Another crucial skill for a project management lead to carry out their responsibilities is "time-management skills." A big part of what project management leads relies on this skill, since "management analysts often work under tight deadlines and must use their time efficiently to complete projects on schedule." How this skill relates to project management lead duties can be seen in an example from a project management lead resume snippet: "identified key deadlines for acquisition, legal and hr compliance requirements and managed on-time and on-budget execution. "
The three companies that hire the most project management leads are:
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Compare different project management leads
Project management lead vs. Senior analyst/project manager
A senior analyst project manager's main job is to track the milestones of their company's important projects. They also manage the clients' databases. They are responsible for distributing databases to the sales representatives. They also help in automating their company.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, project management lead responsibilities require skills like "customer service," "portfolio," "plumbing," and "organizational change management." Meanwhile a typical senior analyst/project manager has skills in areas such as "crm," "business analysis," "business processes," and "data warehouse." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Senior analyst/project managers earn the highest salaries when working in the retail industry, with an average yearly salary of $115,212. On the other hand, project management leads are paid more in the energy industry with an average salary of $108,150.senior analyst/project managers tend to reach similar levels of education than project management leads. In fact, senior analyst/project managers are 1.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Project management lead vs. Senior management consultant
A senior management consultant is an experienced professional who is in charge of a team of management consultants to help an organization solve issues, maximize growth, and improve business performance. Senior management consultants must conduct company research so that they can better understand the organization. They prepare business proposals and presentations as well as identify issues to form hypotheses and solutions. Senior management consultants must also implement recommendations or solutions and ensure that an organization receives the necessary assistance to carry it all out.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real project management lead resumes. While project management lead responsibilities can utilize skills like "plumbing," "continuous improvement," "management activities," and "management strategy," senior management consultants use skills like "analytics," "business development," "business analysis," and "architecture."
On average, senior management consultants earn a higher salary than project management leads. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, senior management consultants earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $135,771. Whereas project management leads have higher pay in the energy industry, with an average salary of $108,150.senior management consultants earn similar levels of education than project management leads in general. They're 4.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for project management leads in the next 3-5 years?
Benjamin Clark Ph.D.
Associate Professor, University of Oregon
Project management lead vs. Manager, program management
A program management manager is an individual who guides project managers and oversees and coordinates an organization's projects, products, and other strategic initiatives. The day-to-day responsibilities of a program manager include planning the overall program, managing the program's budget and the main program documents, and defining the program governance. The requirements to qualify for the program manager position including possessing a good managerial, business, and problem-solving skills and possessing a bachelor's or master's degree in business, management, or a related field.
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 lead is likely to be skilled in "portfolio," "plumbing," "management activities," and "management strategy," while a typical manager, program management is skilled in "oversight," "cloud," "management program," and "logistics."
Managers, program management make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $126,000. On the other hand, project management leads are paid the highest salary in the energy industry, with average annual pay of $108,150.When it comes to education, managers, program management tend to earn similar degree levels compared to project management leads. In fact, they're 0.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Project management lead 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.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between project management leads and consultant/project managers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a project management lead might have more use for skills like "customer service," "portfolio," "plumbing," and "continuous improvement." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of consultant/project managers require skills like "business development," "manage project scope," "cash flow," and "scrum. "
Consultant/project managers enjoy the best pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $107,463. For comparison, project management leads earn the highest salary in the energy industry.The average resume of consultant/project managers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to project management leads. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.2%.Types of project management lead
Updated January 8, 2025
