In today’s fast-paced, fiercely competitive business environment, businesses always try to remain ahead of the curve. One important factor that may have a big impact on a company’s performance is effective project coordination, which necessitates a successful project coordinator.
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In this article:
Project Coordinator Responsibilities
Project coordination is the daily administration of duties in your department to streamline your work process. A project manager informs workers about deadlines and who is in charge of each project component.
As part of the job, you may also be expected to record meeting minutes. This might include pertinent information that staff members may utilize to complete their daily administrative tasks.
Program coordinators usually handle administrative tasks and supervise certain portions of bigger projects. They are the ones who assist project managers by supervising administrative duties, liaising with stakeholders, and guaranteeing the project team has access to resources.
The project coordinator role is to ensure that project teams meet deadlines, adhere to budgets, make the most of allotted resources, and adhere to legal obligations.
They not only monitor the performance of the project teams but also help the project manager with budgeting, scheduling, and risk control. They often serve as a point of contact between the project teams and senior management, reporting to the project manager.
Project Coordinator Job Description
- Organize the information, tools, resources, and activities related to project management
- Divide tasks into manageable steps and establish deadlines
- Build strong communication with customers to determine and clarify needs, parameters, and goals
- Assist with scheduling and assign work to internal project teams
- Make sure that the needs of the clients are satisfied
- Assist in budget preparation
- Examine the potential hazards
- Supervise the procurement process for projects
- Track project development and address any problems that may occur
- Serve as the contact point and let everyone know how the project is progressing
- Collaborate with the PM (project manager) to remove obstacles
- Utilize tools to keep an eye on your plans, raw materials, spending, and working hours
- Release any necessary legal documentation, such as terms of agreement and contracts
- Make and keep up-to-date detailed project plans, reports, and documentation
- Tests for quality assurance are performed to make sure that criteria and standards are satisfied
Project Coordinator Core Skills And Regulatory Requirements
- Proven track record in project coordination or a related position
- Knowledge of managing projects from inception to completion
- An aptitude for creating and analyzing timetables, flowcharts, and detailed action plans
- Multitasking and time management skills and organizational capabilities
- Outstanding interpersonal and collaborative skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Knowledge of quality assurance control and risk mitigation
- Solid familiarity with Microsoft Planner and Project; practical familiarity with project management tools (for example, Trello or Basecamp)
- Business administration bachelor’s degree or a similar program
- Certified PMP/PRINCE2 is an advantage
How Much Does A Project Coordinator Make?
According to Glassdoor, as of 12th May 2024, the average annual project coordinator salary typically ranges between $57,000 and $91,000, encompassing various components of compensation. This number in the United States hovers around $71,543, with an average salary of $58,869.
Base salaries start at $48,000 and can go up to $73,000 annually. Additionally, project coordinators may receive supplementary pay, such as cash incentives, commissions, or profit sharing, which can amount to an extra $10,000 to $18,000 per year.
Project Manager Vs. Project Coordinator: The Difference
Though the terms typically refer to associate roles with distinct responsibilities, some organizations may use “project coordinator” instead of “project manager.” To keep things going smoothly, a project coordinator takes care of administrative duties for the team and the project manager. Setting up meetings and appointments, controlling workflow and deadlines, and procuring supplies and equipment are a few examples of this.
While a project manager creates the project’s comprehensive plan, a project coordinator position handles the day-to-day activities required to keep the assigned project rolling. This covers everything from the first stages of project planning and goal-setting until the end of the project and client delivery.
This involves creating spending plans, figuring out how much money will be needed, and creating complete project schedules. Project coordinators may transition into project managers in specific circumstances.
4 Steps To Become A Project Coordinator
After reading the above sections, I’m sure you are interested in this profession. So, if you want or consider becoming one, here are the steps you need to take!
Step 1: Gain The Required Knowledge And Skill Set
You can determine the associate degree of schooling needed while choosing your future job. Although some employers do not need one, most project coordinators hold a bachelor’s degree. With a high school degree or GED, one can start this career path.
A four-year university or college degree might help you stand out from other professionals vying for the same job in the field. Obtaining a master’s degree demonstrates your commitment to the field and further validates your talents.
Step 2: Acquire Knowledge And Experience In The Field
Look for chances to obtain appropriate job experience as a project coordinator. Completing basic responsibilities during an internship frequently starts with getting your first entry-level job as a project coordinator.
Additionally, every workplace you work at gives you the chance to form important relationships. Increasing the size of your network might aid in your search for a new job or assist you in establishing valuable business relationships that you could use as references.
Step 3: Find A Mentor
To learn more about the job and the industry as a whole, consider looking for a mentor in project management. Even if it’s voluntary, doing so can help you advance your career. Use your network to find someone and ask them to become your mentor.
If you can’t find a mentor in your network, you might choose to participate in a nationwide mentorship initiative run by a professional association, such as the AIPM.
Step 4: Get Certified
You could work toward a professional certification as you accumulate experience in project coordination. If you’re trying to get a new job or a promotion, having a certification can help you establish your expertise and talents. Consider obtaining one of the following certifications for project coordinators.
- CMS: Acquiring the title of CSM (Certified Scrum Master) might confirm that you understand agile methods inside the Scrum framework.
- CPPP: CPPP (Certified Practicing Project Practitioner) is one of the certificates offered by CPPP AIPM. If you are in the first phases of your profession and possess prior expertise in project planning, team meetings, and project work, then this certification might be suitable for you.
- PRINCE2: Projects in Controlled Environments is a cert for project management practitioners, particularly those who are interested in working on major company or government projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Project Coordinator A Good Position?
Yes. If you appreciate task organization, team communication, and want to ensure complex projects are completed on schedule, you may choose a career as a project coordinator. It may be a springboard for more senior positions in the industry and provides invaluable project management expertise.
Is The Project Coordinator A PMO?
PMO is primarily concerned with a management framework that either standardizes procedures or supports project management. It fulfills a consultative function by supporting, directing, or controlling the processes. A project coordinator is an entry-level position for a project manager.
What Is The Next Position After Project Coordinator?
If you choose the conventional route for project management, you will usually begin as an administrator or coordinator, advance to project manager, and then become project director.
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The Bottom Line
A project coordinator is an expert who oversees the administration and coordination of goods and services. All in all, their primary goal is to guarantee that all goods and services are provided as promised, on the right project timelines, within the allotted project budget, and to the necessary quality standards.
