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Special projects manager vs section manager

The differences between special projects managers and section managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a section manager has an average salary of $95,857, which is higher than the $90,221 average annual salary of a special projects manager.

The top three skills for a special projects manager include project management, logistics and financial statements. The most important skills for a section manager are career development, project management, and DOD.

Special projects manager vs section manager overview

Special Projects ManagerSection Manager
Yearly salary$90,221$95,857
Hourly rate$43.38$46.09
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs114,925293,821
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age4744
Years of experience-6

What does a special projects manager do?

A Special Projects Department is a vital part of the research and development branch in a company to design and create new products and services for customers to use. The special projects manager's responsibility is to request and allocate funds, personnel, and a specialist to the project. This person is also obligated to monitor and generate reports on the project's status and update the company management on the special project's daily status.

What does a section manager do?

A section manager is responsible for supervising the overall production processes and operations of an organization. Section managers ensure that their designated sections run accurately and efficiently while following the highest standard protocols and internal regulations. They also identify opportunities to maximize the staff's productivity and perform quality control procedures that would enhance the current processes and fix any inconsistencies. A section manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills to assist the staff and the business in achieving customer satisfaction.

Special projects manager vs section manager salary

Special projects managers and section managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Special Projects ManagerSection Manager
Average salary$90,221$95,857
Salary rangeBetween $66,000 And $122,000Between $63,000 And $145,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASanta Rosa, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaRhode Island
Best paying companyGoogleNVIDIA
Best paying industryFinanceTechnology

Differences between special projects manager and section manager education

There are a few differences between a special projects manager and a section manager in terms of educational background:

Special Projects ManagerSection Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Special projects manager vs section manager demographics

Here are the differences between special projects managers' and section managers' demographics:

Special Projects ManagerSection Manager
Average age4744
Gender ratioMale, 61.1% Female, 38.9%Male, 74.1% Female, 25.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 8.6% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between special projects manager and section manager duties and responsibilities

Special projects manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage special projects and crises to include TOYOTA PR/Congressional hearings.
  • Manage the integration of the acquired companies into ShawCor, the ERP implementation as well as the accounting system setup.
  • Administer software to automate and standardize engineering functions using Pro/E, AutoCad and ProductView.
  • Manage elaborate software implementation projects relate to national convenience store/gas station point of sale (POS) technology.
  • Supervise inventory control and payroll staff.
  • Integrate HVAC and fire suppression system.
  • Show more

Section manager example responsibilities.

  • Implement ISO quality procedures and lead internal audits
  • Coordinate and manage the security operations of combat convoys moving and transporting equipment to different locations across hostile areas.
  • Manage payroll distribution process ensuring timeliness, accuracy, and confidentiality to protect client's privacy and prevent liability of exposure.
  • Perform contract negotiations, vendor selection, product introduction, ISO quality adherence, cost reductions, and inventory balancing.
  • Perform ongoing research and analysis of internal business requirements and project logistics.
  • Plan and request signal logistics support for battalion level operations and maintenance.
  • Show more

Special projects manager vs section manager skills

Common special projects manager skills
  • Project Management, 19%
  • Logistics, 5%
  • Financial Statements, 5%
  • Oversight, 5%
  • HR, 4%
  • Construction Projects, 4%
Common section manager skills
  • Career Development, 9%
  • Project Management, 9%
  • DOD, 6%
  • Performance Reviews, 6%
  • Continuous Improvement, 5%
  • RF, 4%

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