Explore project management roles

You are about to start on your path to securing a high-demand position as a project manager. One of the greatest benefits of
the project management field is that it encompasses a wide variety of positions across numerous industries. As you complete
this certification, you will acquire skills that will qualify you for various job titles. Here, we will discuss some different project
management job categories and some common roles within those categories. We’ll also describe the great potential for
career progression in project management, from entry-level positions to senior program management roles, and the many
opportunities in between.
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Project management job categories and common roles
Introductory-level project management roles
Entry-level project management positions are a great opportunity to get your foot in the door and learn the ins and outs of
how a company operates and manages projects. The lessons you learn from these experiences are extremely valuable to your
growth in project management. Some entry-level project management positions include:
 Junior Project Manager: Performs all aspects of being a project manager alongside a more experienced professional.
 Project Administrator: Assists the rest of the project team with administrative tasks.
 Project/Program Assistant: Supports team members working on a project and offers administrative support. May perform
research or create training documents along with other jobs as assigned by program leaders.
 Project/Program Coordinator: Participates in hands-on project work and administrative tasks. Works under a project
manager to make sure projects are completed on time and within budget.
 Project Support Specialist: Works alongside a project manager and team members to oversee assigned projects. May also be
responsible for training and developing employees to perform designated tasks.
Traditional project management roles
Once you have gained some experience in introductory-level positions, you can explore traditional project management roles,
such as:
 Project Manager: Responsible for the initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, and closing of a project. Includes industry-
specific titles like IT project manager, construction project manager, or engineering project manager, which utilize skills that
are transferable among industries.
 Project Analyst: Moves a project along by sharing information, providing support through data analysis, and contributing to
strategy and performance.
 Project Leader/Director: Drives core decision-making and sets the direction for the project. Usually knowledgeable about the
product or deliverable.
 Project Controller: Primarily responsible for project planning. You are likely to see this job title in industries like engineering
and construction.
 Technical Project Manager: Conducts project planning and management for identified goals within a company. Ensures that
projects are completed to the requirements within a defined time frame and budget.
 Project Management Office (PMO) Analyst: Manages the progress of complex projects to ensure timely execution and
completion.
Program and portfolio management roles
As you have learned, project managers are responsible for the day-to-day management of projects. They shepherd projects
from start to finish and serve as a guide for their team. Project managers must apply the right tools, techniques, and
processes to complete the project successfully, on time, and within budget.
After you have carried out projects successfully and feel you are ready for a step up in responsibility, a program manager
position may be the next step for you. While a project is one single-focused endeavor, a program is a collection of projects.
Program managers are responsible for managing many projects. At Google, all project managers are called program managers
because they manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Successfully implementing programs as a program manager can eventually make you a great fit for more senior positions,
such as a senior program manager or a portfolio manager. A portfolio is a collection of projects and programs across an entire
organization. Portfolio managers are responsible for portfolios of projects or programs for one client. Over the course of your
career, you might progress from project manager to program manager to portfolio manager roles.
While project, program, and portfolio managers hold different types and levels of responsibility, they are all project managers.
In Course 4 of this certificate program, you will learn more about differentiating projects, programs, and portfolios.

 Program managers: Manage a group of projects that are related or similar to one another and handle the coordination of
these projects. They facilitate effective communication between individual project managers and provide support where
necessary. They also help create and manage long-term goals for their organization.
 Portfolio managers: Responsible for managing a group of related programs within the same organization. They coordinate
various programs in order to ensure they are on track and that the organization is meeting its strategic initiatives. Portfolio
managers look at all projects and programs within the organization and prioritize work as necessary.
Operational management roles
In operational management roles, you will get the opportunity to experience several different departments and how they
interact and operate. Operational management roles allow you to work alongside peers and management from various
business segments, giving you an appreciation for what each segment does on a daily basis. Key elements of project
management include making sure a project is on budget and on schedule. This course, and your experience as a project
manager, will give you the tools to be able to apply those skills to running a business. Some operational management
positions include:
 Operations Analyst: Manages and coordinates research, investigates workflows, creates business procedures, and
recommends changes to improve the project and company.
 Operations Manager: Oversees strategic decision-making and rolls out plans of action based on financial, schedule, and
resource reporting.
 Chief Operating Officer: Responsible for overseeing the day-to-day administrative and operational functions of a business.
Agile roles
We will discuss the Agile project management approach in depth later, but here are a couple of the positions you may see
that are related to that approach:
 Scrum Master: Coordinates and guides the Scrum team. Knowledgeable in Agile framework and Scrum and is able to teach
others about the Scrum values and principles. May also be listed as a Technical Program Manager or Technical Project
Manager.
 Product Owner: Drives the direction of product development and progress.
Industry-specific management roles
As you search for project management roles, you may see positions with titles like “engineering project manager” or
“construction project manager.” Keep in mind that the skills you learn in one industry can be applied to another industry. For
example, you may have experience as a software engineer but are interested in pursuing a career in project management.
You will be able to apply what you’ve learned working in a technical field, as well as with the skills you have picked up in this
certification course, to a project manager position in multiple industries. Having experience working on a team to achieve a
task and understanding how to execute an effort on schedule and on budget are aspects of your professional experience—
combined with your project management knowledge—that make it possible for you to move between industries.
Key takeaway
Project management is a career path with a great deal of potential!
With each step along your career path, you are building yourself up to be a significant contributor to any company. We have
discussed a number of possible job titles for you to search for when you start exploring project management roles. Regardless
of the industry in which you currently work, you have gained transferable skills. Transferable skills are abilities that can be
used in many different jobs and career paths. Your transferable skills can likely be utilized in project management roles in
many other industries.
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Using buzzwords in your job search
Pdf downloaded
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TEST
Congratulations! You passed!
Grade received 100%
To pass 75% or higher
Go to next item

Question 1
When you review a job listing, which section offers the most insight when deciding if the role is well-suited for you?
1 / 1 point
Job salary
Job benefits
Job description
Job location
Correct
The job description indicates that the job matches your skill set and experience.

Question 2
Which of the following might be part of a job description for an entry-level project manager role?
1 / 1 point
Our company is seeking a Program Manager with experience managing a team in the Agile framework.
Our business group is hiring an experienced project management professional who has a broad understanding
of solutions and industry best practices.
Our leadership team is currently looking for a Senior Project Manager to support our clients in the Life Sciences
and Industrial sectors.
Our North Coast branch needs a new Junior Project Manager who can channel drive and enthusiasm. You’ll be
front and center, hands-on, and contributing your creative energy to high-impact projects.
Correct
The term “Junior” typically refers to a newer role that requires less project management experience.

Question 3
Which of the following best exemplifies the progression of a project management career?
1 / 1 point
Program manager to project manager to portfolio manager
Project manager to portfolio manager to program manager
Project manager to program manager to portfolio manager
Correct
While you may encounter a different title progression in your career, this is a typical progression. All project
managers lead projects from start to finish and serve as guides for their team. However, program managers are
responsible for managing many projects at the same time, and portfolio managers are responsible for portfolios of
projects or programs for one client.

Question 4
What three types of information can be helpful to include in your search for project management roles? Select the
three options that apply:
1 / 1 point
Common project management-related buzzwords like “process improvement” and “risk management”
Correct Using common project management buzzwords in your job search can help you find both project
management and project management-related roles, even if those roles do not include “project manager” in the title.
Skills you’ve acquired in your current or previous position
Correct
Including skills you’ve previously acquired in your job search can help you find jobs that match your experience.
Essential project management skills like coordination, organization, and leadership
Correct
Using skills that are essential for all project managers in your job search can help you find both project management
and project management-related roles, even if those roles do not include “project manager” in the title.
Training you may gain later in your project management career

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Final test for this module

Question 1
As someone seeking an entry-level project management position, you regularly check a popular job listings website
for current openings. Which of the following roles are likely seeking a person with your project management skills?
Select all that apply.
0.5 / 1 point
Procurement Specialist
Project Administrator
Project Support Specialist
Project/Program Coordinator
Correct
You didn’t select all the correct answers

Question 2
What did researchers project in 2020 for job growth in the project management field?
1 / 1 point
Project management aligned roles will need nearly 90 million people to fill positions by the year 2027.
Project management talent is only in high demand in large American cities.
Project managers cannot succeed without a PM certification.
Project management talent is in high demand in a few countries.
Correct

Question 3
Fill in the blank: A/An _____ allows you to work for a company on a project-by-project basis but not as a full-time
employee.
1 / 1 point
salary
mentor
internship
contract
Correct

Question 4
As a project manager for a renewable energy product, you regularly communicate key milestones to the larger team
and your customers. Which project management responsibility is this an example of?
1 / 1 point
Controlling costs
Planning and organizing
Managing company operations
Managing tasks
Correct

Question 5
Your colleague is managing three different projects that involve implementing a new set of processes in your
company’s HR department. Which of the following best describes your colleague’s role at your company?
1 / 1 point
Program management
HR management
Project management
Portfolio management
Correct

Question 6
Fill in the blank: Project management is valuable to businesses because it _____.
1 / 1 point
helps ensure that a project sticks to long-term and short-term deadlines
helps ensure that a project delivers the expected outcomes on time and within budget
helps ensure that a project delivers goods or services that meet the customer’s needs
helps ensure that a project centralizes communication—both in real time and all at once
Correct

Question 7
As a project manager your day-to-day responsibilities involve planning and organizing, managing tasks, budgeting,
and controlling costs. In broadest terms, what is the purpose behind these responsibilities?
1 / 1 point
To be as innovative as possible
To complete as many projects as possible
To create something from nothing, working from the ground up
To make sure project outcomes bring value to the company
Correct

Question 8
You’ve been asked to lead a team implementing a new production technique in one of your company’s factories.
The implementation process starts next Monday and the company would like you to complete it within two weeks.
The two week window in this scenario is an example of what defining characteristic of projects?
1 / 1 point
Having a project plan
Having a clearly defined beginning and an end
Representing a project milestone
Representing a unique endeavor
Correct
Question 9
You just finished a successful internship as a project support specialist at a large banking firm and are looking for a
full-time project management job. The best project manager position listed near you is for an IT project manager.
Why might you be a good candidate for this job?
1 / 1 point
Only people with IT experience can manage banking projects.
Because banks use information technologies.
Because most IT projects are related to banking.
Because project management skills learned in one industry can be applied to other industries.
Correct

Question 10
Fill in the blank: There are _____ job titles a project manager can have.
1 / 1 point
only a few
many and varied
very specific
a decreasing number of
Correct