Directors of Project Management: How to Become One

If you were to ask a group of directors of project management about how they arrived at their current job, there's a good chance you would get several different answers about the paths and steps that each person took.

That said, there are still ways that you can develop a baseline understanding of the preparation that is necessary to become one.

The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has gathered data to provide you with insight into the type of education that's commonly required for directors of project management to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of directors of project management expect candidates to have. In the end, this information will help you create an education or professional development plan that aligns with your career aspirations.

Keep reading to learn more about career steps for directors of project management.

What Education & Experience is Needed for Directors of Project Management?

Do directors of project management need a degree? What kind of experience do directors of project management typically need? Thanks to data sourced from Lightcast™ from real job postings, we can get some clarity on those questions, as well as the level of education that is commonly required for directors of project management to secure jobs.

Education Level Required in Job Postings for Directors of Project Management

A bachelor's degree is the level of education sought the most by employers of directors of project management. According to job data, a bachelor's degree was required for 54% of positions. In 26% of job listings no education level was listed and in 12% of postings a master's degree was required.

Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Directors of Project Management

While the amount of required experience will vary based on the responsibility and seniority of the position, an aggregate view of job posting data can help paint a picture of the experience level sought for most job openings for directors of project management. In 38% of job postings for Directors of Project Management, employers were looking for candidates with 4-6 years of experience. In 27% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience, while 10+ years of experience was sought in 15% of job postings for directors of project management.

What Kind of Degree Do Directors of Project Management Need?

So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for directors of project management, but what type of education or degree will help prepare you for a career in the field?

According to occupational data obtained through Lightcast,™ there are 52 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective directors of project management, and in 2021 a total of 1,202,836 of those programs were completed at institutions in the United States.

Check out the information below to learn more about the specific programs that should be considered by prospective directors of project management.

Top Degree Programs for Directors of Project Management

Top Online College For Working Adults

Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.

Degree Options for Directors of Project Management

What Skills Do Directors of Project Management Need?

Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by directors of project management to secure a job?

A good way to understand this is to examine actual job postings for skills commonly sought by employers. Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for directors of project management, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.

In-Demand Skills for Today's Directors of Project Management
Based on 324,085 job postings

Based on 324,085 job postings related to directors of project management, project management was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 98% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for construction, project planning, project schedules, project scoping and subcontracting were also highly sought.

As for common skills, communications was the most desired skill found in job postings for directors of project management, followed by management, leadership, planning, coordinating and operations.

Additional Links

Ready to dig deeper into career information about directors of project management? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for directors of project management.

What do directors of project management do?
How much do directors of project management make?

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