What Do Directors of Projects Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for directors of projects?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what directors of projects do, including the type of work they are tasked with on a daily basis, industries in which they work, and the specific skills needed for a successful career.
Directors of Projects Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about directors of projects by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
Directors of Projects analyze and coordinate the schedule, timeline, procurement, staffing, and budget of a product or service on a per project basis. Lead and guide the work of technical staff. May serve as a point of contact for the client or customer.
Popular Job Titles For Directors of Projects
Sample of Reported Job Titles
- Project Managers
- Project Coordinators
- Assistant Project Managers
- Technical Project Managers
- Environmental Project Managers
- Water Resources Project Managers
- Associate Project Managers
- Project Controls Specialists
- Commercial Project Managers
- Directors of Projects
- Infrastructure Project Managers
- Multifamily Project Managers
Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for directors of projects can be found.
Best Industries for Directors of Projects
Directors of Projects Jobs By Industry
- Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services: 8.9%
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services: 7.1%
- Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services: 6.8%
- Nonresidential Building Construction: 6.7%
- Building Equipment Contractors: 4.9%
- Management of Companies and Enterprises: 4.6%
- Other: 61%
When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of directors of projects can be found working in the Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services sector. In 2023, about 8.9% of all jobs for directors of projects were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include Computer Systems Design and Related Services (7.1%), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (6.8%), Nonresidential Building Construction (6.7%), Building Equipment Contractors (4.9%) and Management of Companies and Enterprises (4.6%).
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What Do Directors of Projects Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what directors of projects do and the types of industries in which they work - but what do they really do each day?
A great way to understand the type of work directors of projects do is to examine actual job postings and focus on the specific skills that employers are seeking. That will help paint a clearer picture of the tasks that directors of projects tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for directors of projects, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Directors of Projects
Based on 392,608 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Directors of Projects
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management | 352,007 | 90% |
| Construction | 81,811 | 21% |
| Project Schedules | 59,188 | 15% |
| Subcontracting | 57,031 | 15% |
| Construction Management | 54,681 | 14% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Directors of Projects
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 217,553 | 55% |
| Management | 195,969 | 50% |
| Leadership | 135,242 | 34% |
| Planning | 129,636 | 33% |
| Coordinating | 100,354 | 26% |
Based on 392,608 job postings related to directors of projects, project management was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 90% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for construction, project schedules, subcontracting, construction management and project planning were also highly sought.
As for common skills, communication was the most desired skill found in job postings for directors of projects, followed by management, leadership, planning, coordinating and operations.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management | 352,007 | 90% |
| Construction | 81,811 | 21% |
| Project Schedules | 59,188 | 15% |
| Subcontracting | 57,031 | 15% |
| Construction Management | 54,681 | 14% |
| Project Planning | 53,039 | 14% |
| Change Orders | 45,446 | 12% |
| Procurement | 43,279 | 11% |
| Project Scoping | 40,174 | 10% |
| Change Management | 38,811 | 10% |
| Milestones (Project Management) | 37,971 | 10% |
| Invoicing | 36,714 | 9% |
| Microsoft Project | 36,476 | 9% |
| Agile Methodology | 33,289 | 8% |
| Project Implementation | 31,895 | 8% |
| Marketing | 31,704 | 8% |
| Finance | 31,607 | 8% |
| Accounting | 28,929 | 7% |
| Risk Management | 28,553 | 7% |
| Project Documentation | 28,431 | 7% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 217,553 | 55% |
| Management | 195,969 | 50% |
| Leadership | 135,242 | 34% |
| Planning | 129,636 | 33% |
| Coordinating | 100,354 | 26% |
| Operations | 86,322 | 22% |
| Problem Solving | 84,031 | 21% |
| Microsoft Office | 80,634 | 21% |
| Customer Service | 78,026 | 20% |
| Microsoft Excel | 76,117 | 19% |
| Detail Oriented | 71,935 | 18% |
| Writing | 69,545 | 18% |
| Scheduling | 68,758 | 18% |
| Presentations | 65,968 | 17% |
| Organizational Skills | 51,886 | 13% |
| Budgeting | 51,534 | 13% |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | 50,858 | 13% |
| Verbal Communication Skills | 50,140 | 13% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 49,481 | 13% |
| Time Management | 49,046 | 12% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for Directors of Projects
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Project Managers | 245,683 | 56.1% |
| Project Coordinators | 55,633 | 12.7% |
| Assistant Project Managers | 27,284 | 6.2% |
| Technical Project Managers | 14,314 | 3.3% |
| Environmental Project Managers | 12,881 | 2.9% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2022 and August 2023, the top job sought by employers was project managers, with 105,049 unique job postings. Project coordinators were second, with 10,332 postings, followed by assistant project managers, technical project managers and environmental project managers.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to directors of projects.
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Project Managers | 245,683 | 56.1% |
| Project Coordinators | 55,633 | 12.7% |
| Assistant Project Managers | 27,284 | 6.2% |
| Technical Project Managers | 14,314 | 3.3% |
| Environmental Project Managers | 12,881 | 2.9% |
| Water Resources Project Managers | 5,142 | 1.2% |
| Associate Project Managers | 6,643 | 1.5% |
| Project Controls Specialists | 6,374 | 1.5% |
| Commercial Project Managers | 6,980 | 1.6% |
| Directors of Projects | 5,853 | 1.3% |
| Infrastructure Project Managers | 4,112 | 0.9% |
| Multifamily Project Managers | 6,558 | 1.5% |
| Project Controls Managers | 4,581 | 1% |
| Lead Project Managers | 4,327 | 1% |
| IT Project Managers | 3,828 | 0.9% |
| Directors of Project Management | 3,642 | 0.8% |
| Project Management Managers | 3,828 | 0.9% |
| Restoration Project Managers | 4,075 | 0.9% |
| Commercial Drywall Project Managers | 8,790 | 2% |
| Architectural Project Managers | 7,030 | 1.6% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information for directors of projects? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for directors of projects.
How much do directors of projects make?
Directors of Projects: How do you become one?
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