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.
Special projects manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real special projects manager resumes:
- 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.
- Update signage for convention site using InDesign and Photoshop.
- Model data using SQL and/or other data warehouse analytical tools.
- Used SQL to solve logistical issues and perform root cause analysis.
- Develop project tracking lists and portal sites for the organization in Microsoft SharePoint.
- Create marketing materials, purchase supplies and coordinate shipments to a yacht during a retrofit.
- Used web-based programs to hire employees, and create recruitment ads on social media sites such as Facebook.
- Execute the energy efficient two-lamp retrofit project across 526 stores in 2010 and an additional 630 stores in 2011.
- Identify and raise visibility of potential QA issues and business impacts from typographical mistakes to pricing errors on the home page.
- Develop written job descriptions and operational ISO procedures.
Special projects manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 19% of Special Projects Managers are proficient in Project Management, Logistics, and Financial Statements. They’re also known for soft skills such as Leadership skills, Management skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Special Projects Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Project Management, 19%
Supported diverse resource conservation and energy-efficiency initiatives by managing research, identifying new programs, grant writing & project management.
- Logistics, 5%
Conducted feasibility studies to determine if engineered designs could be executed based on cost associations and logistics.
- Financial Statements, 5%
Produce monthly financial statements, reviewing results with management staff and implementing necessary changes to improve results.
- Oversight, 5%
Coordinated the publication of a weekly information bulletin and maintained oversight of all department projects and scheduling.
- HR, 4%
Provided HR and additional subject matter expertise to office managers company-wide.
- Construction Projects, 4%
Provided input in energy efficient Mechanical, Electrical, and plumbing design during expansion and downsizing construction projects.
Common skills that a special projects manager uses to do their job include "project management," "logistics," and "financial statements." You can find details on the most important special projects manager responsibilities below.
Leadership skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a special projects manager to have is leadership skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "top executives must be able to shape and direct an organization by coordinating policies, people, and resources." Special projects managers often use leadership skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "provided leadership and oversight of the installation of the company s thermwood c67 5-axis router. "
Problem-solving skills. special projects managers are also known for problem-solving skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to special projects manager responsibilities, because "top executives need to identify and resolve issues within an organization." A special projects manager resume example shows how problem-solving skills is used in the workplace: "define, implement, and finalize working solutions for corporate erp system for all departments. "
Time-management skills. special projects manager responsibilities often require "time-management skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "top executives do many tasks concurrently to ensure that their work gets done and that the organization meets its goals." This resume example shows what special projects managers do with time-management skills on a typical day: "project management: coordinated and maintained a schedule of client-specific jobs to ensure timely production of materials to meet mailing deadlines. "
Communication skills. Another common skill required for special projects manager responsibilities is "communication skills." This skill comes up in the duties of special projects managers all the time, as "top executives must be able to convey information clearly and persuasively." An excerpt from a real special projects manager resume shows how this skill is central to what a special projects manager does: "received & screened a high volume of internal & external communications, maintaining solid customer relationships. "
The three companies that hire the most special projects managers are:
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Special projects manager vs. Manager
Managers are responsible for a specific department, function, or employee group. They oversee their assigned departments and all the employees under the department. Managers are responsible that the department they are handling is functioning well. They set the department goals and the steps they must take to achieve the goals. They are also in charge of assessing the performance of their departments and their employees. Additionally, managers are responsible for interviewing prospective candidates for department vacancies and assessing their fit to the needs of the department. Managers also set the general working environment in the department, and they are expected to ensure that their employees remain motivated.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a special projects manager are more likely to require skills like "project management," "logistics," "oversight," and "hr." On the other hand, a job as a manager requires skills like "customer service," "food safety," "management," and "powerpoint." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Managers earn the highest salaries when working in the finance industry, with an average yearly salary of $71,781. On the other hand, special projects managers are paid more in the finance industry with an average salary of $101,144.The education levels that managers earn slightly differ from special projects managers. In particular, managers are 7.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a special projects manager. Additionally, they're 0.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Special projects manager vs. Tour manager
A club manager is responsible for overseeing club operations, delegating tasks to the club staff, and ensuring that the team provides the highest customer service and satisfaction for the guests. Club managers inspect the stability of technical tools and equipment, including the adequacy of inventory and food and beverage stocks. They also identify opportunities and services that would increase revenue resources and attract patrons from visiting the club regularly. A club manager responds to the guests' inquiries and concerns, resolves complaints, and monitors sales performance.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, special projects manager responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "project management," "logistics," "financial statements," and "oversight." Meanwhile, a tour manager has duties that require skills in areas such as "booking," "venues," "tour logistics," and "log book." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Tour managers earn a lower average salary than special projects managers. But tour managers earn the highest pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $58,803. Additionally, special projects managers earn the highest salaries in the finance with average pay of $101,144 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Tour managers tend to reach lower levels of education than special projects managers. In fact, they're 7.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Special projects manager vs. Club manager
A pool manager is in charge of overseeing the daily operations at indoor and outdoor pools. Among their responsibilities include managing budgets and employee schedules, delegating tasks to staff, developing and implementing marketing strategies, and training new workforce members. There are also instances where they must produce progress reports, liaise with vendors or suppliers, and address issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, a pool manager must monitor the progress of all operations, enforcing the company's safety policies and regulations to maintain a safe and healthy environment for everyone.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, special projects managers are more likely to have skills like "project management," "logistics," "oversight," and "hr." But a club manager is more likely to have skills like "customer service," "front desk," "cleanliness," and "cpr."
Club managers typically earn lower educational levels compared to special projects managers. Specifically, they're 9.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Special projects manager vs. Pool manager
Types of special projects manager
Updated January 8, 2025











