What does a strategic project manager do?
A strategic project manager is responsible for developing efficient project management methods to achieve the highest customer satisfaction and gain more revenue resources for the business. Strategic project managers analyze the current market trends, perform data and statistical analysis, and generate opportunities to close more business partnerships. They also coordinate with the marketing and sales team to identify effective marketing strategies to increase the brand's image in various market platforms and enhance sales performance. A strategic project manager handles company accounts and regularly connects with the client for project updates.
Strategic project manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real strategic project manager resumes:
- Manage HVAC, electrical and plumbing.
- Manage 8 proposal developers responding to approximately 300 RFP's per year.
- Manage rollouts of CRM enhancements using effective implementation planning, change mgmt and training.
- Help VZB's competitive advantage by adopting technologies and methods that can reduce costs, increase ROI, and increase uptime.
- Streamline and centralize usage of project management tools to manage dependencies and transparent delivery milestones for highly complex SaaS platforms
- Create processes to ensure the integrity of information disseminate to portfolio and risk management systems.
- Integrate ITSM and PMO processes into an NEC customer seamless service.
- Work closely with PMO to ensure project deliverables, risks are addressed and communicate to the management.
- Reengineer cash management, check writing, payment, CRM applications to the desktop for financial services clients.
- Work with technology partners to design data aggregation and portfolio accounting software.
- Collaborate with departmental project managers as well as contracted partners to implement new process work flows that positively impact Medicare patients.
- Monitor and measure timely completion of RFI s and change orders.
- Coordinate RFI responses, drawing revision process and construction change request processing.
- Carry out administrative / management functions on various HVAC projects including materials procurement, scheduling, manpower management and billings.
Strategic project manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 25% of Strategic Project Managers are proficient in Project Management, Strategic Projects, and Project Scope. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Leadership skills, and Management skills.
We break down the percentage of Strategic Project Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Project Management, 25%
Provided day-to-day project management, budgeting and business planning, client and associate relationship management, and direction/guidance for team members.
- Strategic Projects, 7%
Managed multiple strategic projects to quantifiable objectives commensurate with business, strategic and E-commerce objectives.
- Project Scope, 6%
Assisted in effectively communicating project scope and schedule to 30+ students.
- Portfolio, 5%
Worked with technology partners to design data aggregation and portfolio accounting software.
- Strong Project Management, 4%
Used strong Project Management skills; designed and managed projects from inception to completion for the local and international dairy industries.
- Process Improvement, 3%
Managed strategic project for corporate-wide initiatives involving mergers & acquisitions, change management, process improvement, and branch administration.
Common skills that a strategic project manager uses to do their job include "project management," "strategic projects," and "project scope." You can find details on the most important strategic project manager responsibilities below.
Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a strategic project manager to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "top executives must be able to convey information clearly and persuasively." Strategic project managers often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "implemented project management processes, methodologies, and templates to enable better management, tracking, and communication of ongoing initiatives. "
Leadership skills. Another essential skill to perform strategic project manager duties is leadership skills. Strategic project managers responsibilities require that "top executives must be able to shape and direct an organization by coordinating policies, people, and resources." Strategic project managers also use leadership skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "provided leadership for several strategic business transactions as a member of the corporate strategy team. "
Problem-solving skills. For certain strategic project manager responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of a strategic project manager rely on this skill, as "top executives need to identify and resolve issues within an organization." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what strategic project managers do: "key accomplishments: championed solutions that improved process efficiency and effectiveness, resulting in significant and measurable roi. "
Time-management skills. Another crucial skill for a strategic project manager to carry out their responsibilities is "time-management skills." A big part of what strategic project managers relies on this skill, since "top executives do many tasks concurrently to ensure that their work gets done and that the organization meets its goals." How this skill relates to strategic project manager duties can be seen in an example from a strategic project manager resume snippet: "developed and implemented stage gate based product development process to streamline new product delivery reducing project completion time by 15%. "
The three companies that hire the most strategic project managers are:
- Deloitte83 strategic project managers jobs
- KPMG LLP80 strategic project managers jobs
- Boston Consulting Group42 strategic project managers jobs
Compare different strategic project managers
Strategic project manager vs. Manager, strategy
A strategy manager is an individual who reviews a company's objectives for growth and works with executives to formulate actionable plans to achieve these objectives. To make comprehensive recommendations, strategy managers must conduct data analysis of the organization as well as the overall industry. They must provide assessments of market trends and identify business threats and opportunities. Strategy managers should also work with department heads to develop individual team goals and break them down into actionable steps for the employees to complete.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between strategic project managers and manager, strategy. For instance, strategic project manager responsibilities require skills such as "strategic projects," "project scope," "strategic project management," and "strong project management." Whereas a manager, strategy is skilled in "client facing," "digital marketing," "market research," and "business strategy." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Managers, strategy tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $116,769. In contrast, strategic project managers make the biggest average salary, $108,277, in the technology industry.On average, managers, strategy reach higher levels of education than strategic project managers. Managers, strategy are 8.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Strategic project manager vs. Project director
A project director is an individual responsible for supervising workers from various departments given specific tasks to complete a given project. They create a budget to complete a job while monitoring the amount of money spent to ensure that overspending is avoided. They provide presentations to investors, business partners, and company executives to inform them about their progress and development. Project directors must have several years of experience and obtain at least a bachelor's degree in business economics or a related field to be hired.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that strategic project manager responsibilities requires skills like "strategic projects," "portfolio," "strategic project management," and "strong project management." But a project director might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "oversight," "adaptive," "excellent interpersonal," and "strategic thinking."
On average, project directors earn a higher salary than strategic project managers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, project directors earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $106,707. Whereas strategic project managers have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $108,277.project directors earn similar levels of education than strategic project managers in general. They're 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Strategic project manager vs. Project analyst
A project analyst is responsible for overseeing the development of new projects upon completion of data gathering. A project analyst must provide plans and design the project to its full potential. For this, it is essential to conduct extensive research and coordinate with all staff and departments involved through regular reports and various forms of communication. Furthermore, a project analyst must devise strategies to improve particular projects for it to succeed and achieve better results, all in adherence to the company policies and regulations.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a strategic project manager is likely to be skilled in "strategic projects," "portfolio," "strategic project management," and "strong project management," while a typical project analyst is skilled in "customer service," "status reports," "sharepoint," and "pmp."
Project analysts earn the best pay in the manufacturing industry, where they command an average salary of $76,006. Strategic project managers earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $108,277.Most project analysts achieve a lower degree level compared to strategic project managers. For example, they're 6.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Strategic project manager vs. Senior manager
A senior manager is responsible for directing the overall efficiency of business operations. Senior managers monitor the performance of the staff, improve operational strategies, identify business opportunities, allocate budgets and resources, present reports to senior management, set goals to drive results on increasing the company's revenues and profitability. Senior managers must coordinate with various operations departments to maintain good feedback for the company, meeting client's expectations, and delivering the best results. They should have excellent communication and leadership skills to handle team members, as well as managing their needs and concerns.
Types of strategic project manager
Updated January 8, 2025
