Post job

Project manager & leader vs director of project management

The differences between project managers & leader 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 $102,092 average annual salary of a project manager & leader.

The top three skills for a project manager & leader include project management, infrastructure and post implementation. The most important skills for a director of project management are oversight, risk management, and resource management.

Project manager & leader vs director of project management overview

Project Manager & LeaderDirector Of Project Management
Yearly salary$102,092$126,958
Hourly rate$49.08$61.04
Growth rate-16%
Number of jobs190,600200,498
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age4447
Years of experience6-

What does a project manager & leader do?

A project manager & leader is responsible for monitoring the overall project management and staff operations, ensuring the efficiency and accuracy of project deliverables to meet the client's requirements, and achieving the highest customer satisfaction. Project managers/leaders implement strategic procedures to minimize costs while maximizing operational productivity. They identify business opportunities by analyzing the current market trends to develop services that would meet the clients' demands and the public's interests. A project manager & leader also handles the department budget, allocating adequate resources, and maintaining an organized delegation of tasks for the employees.

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 manager & leader vs director of project management salary

Project managers & leader and directors of project management have different pay scales, as shown below.

Project Manager & LeaderDirector Of Project Management
Average salary$102,092$126,958
Salary rangeBetween $74,000 And $139,000Between $85,000 And $187,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAFoster City, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyAppleMeta
Best paying industryHealth CareReal Estate

Differences between project manager & leader and director of project management education

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

Project Manager & LeaderDirector Of Project Management
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Project manager & leader vs director of project management demographics

Here are the differences between project managers & leader' and directors of project management' demographics:

Project Manager & LeaderDirector Of Project Management
Average age4447
Gender ratioMale, 72.0% Female, 28.0%Male, 66.9% Female, 33.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%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 Percentage11%10%

Differences between project manager & leader and director of project management duties and responsibilities

Project manager & leader example responsibilities.

  • Create and manage multiple department Microsoft SharePoint sites, which lead to increase project organization through streamline communication methods.
  • Manage and direct HIPAA training.
  • Lead teams, assignedprojects and control payroll on overseas projects.
  • Manage CMS and Java developers in developing integrate solution.
  • Lead DB2 component of company-wide data replication product design and development.
  • Manage and perform all CRM enhancements from as-is process to require modifications.
  • 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 manager & leader vs director of project management skills

Common project manager & leader skills
  • Project Management, 22%
  • Infrastructure, 5%
  • Post Implementation, 5%
  • Risk Management, 5%
  • Project Scope, 4%
  • Project Plan, 4%
Common director of project management skills
  • Oversight, 9%
  • Risk Management, 6%
  • Resource Management, 5%
  • Business Objectives, 5%
  • Healthcare, 5%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 5%

Browse computer and mathematical jobs