Senior Project Manager Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

A Senior Project Manager, or Project Director is responsible for leading teams to deliver high-quality projects within specified time and cost constraints to reach a goal. Their primary duties include setting schedules, managing finances, complying with systems development life cycle (SDLC) control and with stage gate quality guidelines throughout the development life cycle.

 

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What does a Senior Project Manager do?

A Senior Project Manager is usually thought of as a more experienced Project Manager. They typically manage larger and more complex projects and may be responsible for multiple projects at once. They are also responsible for supervising mid-level Project Manager and other employees within the organisation. They work closely with department heads to increase revenue, achieve productivity goals and contribute to the organisation’s overall success. As the key player in a company’s management department, Senior Project Managers ensure that all assigned tasks are completed on time and that all rules and regulations of the organisation are enforced. 

 

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Senior Project Manager Job Description Examples:

 

Example 1

The opportunity Project: Provision of project management; commercial management and programme management resources and services required by Paragon JV/MOD - Part A (generally resources basis). A truly great and fantastic opportunity to work on some of the most significant MOD projects in the UK through our strategic joint ventures. Bring your commercial and procurement expertise to whatever level and help to provide commercial innovation to support delivery and value for money to our clients. To continue our growth aligned to Mace 2026 strategy, we want to appoint highly skilled resources through various levels and skill, including commercial, procurement, supply chain, contract management, category management and wider transformation expertise. With your proven communication skills, you are capable and comfortable dealing with complexity and uncertainty, and willing to take responsibility and accountability whilst focussed on delivery. There is a vast amount, exciting project and programmes including complex multi £billion projects to support the UK Armed Forces and our defence deterrent that you could be putting your name against. Covering land, air, ships, submarines and strategic enablers. For example, in the purchase and contract management of equipment, support and wider infrastructure. The Mace Defence business has undergone rapid growth since its inception. Today, we advise a range of clients, including governments, front line commands and private sector defence organisations, where we advise on some of the most nationally significant projects. Our service lines continue to grow as well, offering commercial, procurement, project management and project controls consultancy services, drawing on our cross-sector experience and priding ourselves on being able to bridge between strategy and delivering practical benefits to our clients. We are specifically looking for candidates who are able to work in one of the following regions of Gloucestershire, East Anglia and Cambridgeshire. A mix of remote working and being on location will be considered for the right candidates. You would be joining Mace at a time of exciting growth and Mace prides itself on giving its employees the opportunity to excel and to grow with the company. At Mace Defence, our clients entrust our employees with great responsibility on significant programmes across the project lifecycle where you have the platform to make lasting, tangible improvements to clients’ organisations. Your will include: Providing general project management services for all RIBA work plan stages. Working in alignment with MOD project delivery requirements and procedures, progress projects from feasibility study through to project completion and handover. Facilitating regular meetings to progress the design and pricing information and design programme, in consultation with the lead designer, and principal designer. Consulting and liaising with other suppliers in project teams to ensure the services provided by each supplier are fully coordinated with the services provided by other suppliers. Coordinating and participating in the operation of an early warning system. Making all necessary arrangements (in conjunction with other suppliers) with planning, local and other statutory bodies to enable projects to proceed to completion and handover. Arranging for, coordinating and pursuing all necessary applications required in connection with relevant statutory or regulatory bodies, highway authorities and (if applicable) river and waterway authorities. Establishing and maintaining project management procedures, a hierarchy of responsibility, a communication strategy and the exchange of information, including the production of project execution plans. Implementing and managing change control procedures and monitor design and cost information development against the site information, project information, project budget, design programme, project programme and the risk register. Checking and authorising applications for payment from project teams and maintain a fee drawdown register. About you You have a degree qualification in project management or related construction. You have professional accreditation such as RICS, APM or equivalent. You hold valid UK BPSS/Security Clearance, although exceptional candidates will still be considered if valid clearance is not held. You have project management experience in a range of building and asset types. You have experience with the NEC suite of contracts. You have experience developing project management strategies and implementing those strategies. You have experience of leading projects through all RIBA stages up to £10m value and being part of a wider PM team delivering up to £50m+. You are digitally savvy, with a high level of Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Project and report writing skills, as well as broad consulting skills which should include interviewing, reviewing data and facilitation of client workshops. Due to the nature of our work in defence, some of our roles require candidates who are sole UK Nationals to comply with national security requirements.

Example 2

Senior Project Manager PMO About the role We are looking for an experienced Senior Programme and Portfolio Manager. You will be an outstanding cross-functional leader to join our PMO Services team. Responsible for providing governance, monitoring, assurance and standardisation support for programmes across PwC core lines of service and for our global clients. Who are we looking for? You will have experience of leading a PMO function/ Delivery Programme; an influencer and organiser who thrives in a fast paced environment of complexity; is excellent at connecting strategy to execution and can provide high quality solutions to ensure delivery excellence. If you are able to demonstrate some of the following we want to hear from you:- You will have significant experience of successfully managing a range of complex, high value, transformation projects and programmes from project start up through to project closure. Developing robust and trusting relationships across all lines of service and our external stakeholders. Creating best practice; up to date PMO Services collateral and case studies to support growth. Utilising appropriate and repeatable technology solutions to support high quality, efficient outcomes. Delivering through standard PM methodologies and processes [website] for planning, reporting) and help drive adoption throughout the organisation. You will have provided management and strategic direction and share responsibility for the programme delivery. Represent PwC Operate PMO Services at relevant events and provide challenging thought leadership. Champion of quality and managing risk exposure across multiple projects through the identification and management of key project risks to ensure the delivery of business goals. Supported projects to set up clear business / scope requirements, and ensure delivery of these, communicating progress through the agreed reporting routes and managing changes through the agreed, fit for purpose governance processes. What is in it for you? We’re exceptionally passionate about providing you with the necessary skills, experience and training to help you develop both personally and professionally. You’ll therefore be included on our specific Fundamentals and Prop3l training framework, tailored to match your skills, needs and career aspirations. Fully funded by us, you’ll complete externally accredited qualifications that will benefit you in the role you are working in. Our training programme is further enhanced through a variety of softer skills training sessions focusing on your relationships and leadership skills. In addition to the client projects and training, our employees are also rewarded with various other benefits offered as part of your employment Competitive salary plus a potential discretionary bonus (performance related) 25 days standard holiday pro rata, with options to increase this through your benefits package. A flexible benefits scheme that can be tailored to suit your (and your family’s) needs. Provision of a group pension plan with additional funding provided by PwC. Our dedicated internal Careers Service. The opportunity to benefit from professional qualifications. You will benefit from the ‘Deal’, which reflects the PwC’s commitment to supporting its people and responding to changing working patterns accelerated by COVID. The changes will help embed a hybrid working model and align with PwC’s Net Zero commitment. Where will you be working? You will be based in Belfast. We do have a wide variety of clients and projects, in other locations within the UK and beyond, and time away from your home office may be required. We can discuss this further as part of the recruitment process. Diversity, Valuing Difference. Driving Inclusion. We’re committed to building a culture that empowers all our people to thrive and feel a sense of belonging at PwC. We offer great opportunities for people with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We seek to attract and employ the best people from the widest talent pool because creating value through diversity is what makes us strong as a business, enabling us to solve important problems and deliver value to our clients. Learn more here about our work to support an inclusive culture. Who are we? PwC Operate delivers operational and managed services solutions to our clients across a range of situations often associated with their regulatory, risk and/or compliance agendas. With over 2000 staff deployed on large implementation and execution programmes, Operate brings together top talent with a distinctive mix of knowledge and skills. We support clients by providing staff augmentation services, delivering large scale operational programmes and managed solutions. We deliver our client work from a range of locations, providing our clients with cost-effective delivery, access to subject matter expertise and operational excellence disciplines for some of the biggest brands worldwide.

Senior Project Manager duties and responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of Senior Project Managers vary depending on the company and project, but can include setting project goals, quality standards, deadlines and cost requirements. Other duties and responsibilities of a Project Manager include:

  • Attending corporate marketing events and promoting company brand to the public
  • Preparing quarterly reports using a variety of employee evaluations, written data and statistics and presenting the finding to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) or Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in person
  • Addressing vendor and client complaints in a respectful and timely manner, and ensuring that the organisation maintains a positive image and provides high-quality services
  • Ensuring that employees have a dynamic and supportive workspace and the resources necessary to provide outstanding services to vendors and clients
  • Discussing the quality of assignments with employees and emphasising areas that require improvement in the future
  • Evaluating files from HR and selecting candidates who can actively contribute the projects of the company
  • Meeting with accounting and financial heads to implement strategies and establish revenue goals
  • Collaborating with executive-level Managers, and providing relevant feedback about performance of individual employees and the department
  • Coordinating with vendors and suppliers as needed

 

Senior Project Manager skills and qualifications

A successful Senior Project Manager candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications to perform their duties effectively, these include:

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Active listening skills and analytical skills
  • Ability to develop strategies and organise tasks 
  • Leadership and interpersonal skills 
  • Computer and technical skills
  • Excellent mathematical skills
  • Ability to use various project management software 
  • Working in a fast-paced corporate environment

 

Senior Project Manager experience requirements

Senior Project Managers must have at least six to ten years of experience working in supervisory or project management roles. Previous experience in engineering, business, consulting or government is also helpful. Some companies prefer prospective Senior Project Managers who have handled a large project and managed resources, people and costs.

 

Senior Project Manager education and training requirements

The minimum education requirement for Senior Project Manager positions is a bachelor’s degree in business, project management or a related field. However, because this is a senior-level position, many companies prefer candidates who have a master’s degree in project management. Some companies require candidates to obtain industry-recognised certifications, such as the Certified Project Director (CPD), Project Manager Professional (PMP) and PRINCE2. 

 

Senior Project Manager salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary of a Senior Project Manager in the UK is £54,318 per year. This figure varies depending on  factors, including the company, its geographical location and the prospective Senior Project Manager’s experience. 

 

Job description samples for similar positions

If a Senior Project Manager is not quite what you’re looking for, here are other job description samples that may fit your needs:

 

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Senior Project Manager job description FAQs

 

Do Senior Project Managers have different responsibilities in different industries?

The responsibilities of Senior Project Managers vary depending on the industry in which their company operates. A Senior Project Manager in the construction industry, for instance, is responsible for ensuring that the correct building materials have arrived at the construction site, or explain the day’s tasks to their team. They also regularly report on the progression of the project to the client and sector management.

 Senior Project Managers in the IT industry are responsible for planning, organising and integrating cross-functional IT projects that are significant in impact and scope. They are also responsible for coordinating the work of administrative staff and other IT professional to create a new system or piece of software. 

 

What qualities make a good Senior Project Manager?

Good Senior Project Managers can articulate the vision of the company to their team members very well. Visionary individuals can lead their team to the right path and quickly adapt and respond to the changes that come in the way. They’re excellent at encouraging or empowering people to experience the company’s vision on their own. 

 

What Is the Difference Between an Operations Manager and a Senior Project Manager?

The difference between an Operations Manager and a Senior Project Manager is the kind of work they manage. An Operations Manager oversees the daily processes that keep an organisation running. A Senior Project Manager supervises a project team from concept to the completion of the project. A project will sometimes require Senior Project Managers and Operations Managers to work together, but the two positions usually focus on the different aspects of the company. 

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