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What is a senior project manager/development manager and how to become one
With enough years in project management and a proven track record of success, you may also be able to attain the role of a senior project manager or development manager. In this position, you are generally responsible for overseeing a project from start to finish, ensuring that employees perform optimally, deadlines are met on time, and client specifications are followed to a T.
The specific duties of a senior project manager or development manager vary. But in general, this job entails tasks like facilitating meetings, training subordinate staff, addressing project variances, managing project budgets, updating clients on progress, and organizing work schedules.
To become a senior project manager or development manager, the first two things needed are a degree in business or project management and adequate industry experience. More than that, one must also display exemplary skills in leadership, organization, people management, and client relations to become a highly attractive candidate. Senior project managers or development managers earn around $105,000 per year, with the highest earners taking home around $135,000.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Project Manager/Development Manager?
Nicole Jones Young Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Organizational Behavior, Franklin and Marshall College
Avg. Salary $104,936
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth Rate 21%
Growth Rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.51%
Asian 11.99%
Black or African American 6.24%
Hispanic or Latino 8.82%
Unknown 4.70%
White 67.73%
Genderfemale 25.48%
male 74.52%
Age - 43American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 43Stress level is high
7.1 - high
Complexity Level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work Life balance is poor
6.4 - fair
Senior Project Manager/Development Manager career paths
Key steps to become a senior project manager/development manager
Explore senior project manager/development manager education requirements
Start to develop specific senior project manager/development manager skills
Skills Percentages Project Management 26.01% Business Development 18.06% C++ 10.94% Real Estate 3.93% Infrastructure 3.69% Complete relevant senior project manager/development manager training and internships
Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New senior project manager/development managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a senior project manager/development manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real senior project manager/development manager resumes.Research senior project manager/development manager duties and responsibilities
- Manage definition and a vendor selection process that help implement the PMO
- Implement a repeatable process methodology base on the PMI PMBOK defining a systematic approach to delivering solutions and achieving customer objectives.
- Serve as primary point of contact regarding SDLC, systems upgrades, deployment, and troubleshooting.
- Used a lightweight, incremental methodology, interacting closely with client and stakeholders throughout many iterations of SDLC.
Get senior project manager/development manager experience
Generally, it takes 4-6 years to become a senior project manager/development manager. The most common roles before becoming a senior project manager/development manager include senior project manager, project manager team lead and information technology project manager.Prepare your senior project manager/development manager resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your senior project manager/development manager resume.
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Apply for senior project manager/development manager jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a senior project manager/development manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
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Average senior project manager/development manager salary
The average Senior Project Manager/Development Manager salary in the United States is $104,936 per year or $50 per hour. Senior project manager/development manager salaries range between $74,000 and $148,000 per year.
What Am I Worth?
How do senior project manager/development managers rate their job?
Senior Project Manager/Development Manager reviews
I like to work with a team. Satisfaction of seeing the successful completion of a project
Strict deadlines, and stakeholders. Feeling undervalued or underappreciated.
not applicable because I dont work as a technical project manager
not applicable because I dont work as a technical project manager
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.
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.
Updated January 8, 2025
