what is a project coordinator?
A project coordinator uses tools and skills to keep projects on track. Unlike project managers, who plan projects, create schedules, oversee your work and hire employees, project coordinators work directly with teammates. Essentially, you're a leader who still answers to management.
Your project coordinator responsibilities may include:
• delegating tasks
• ordering office supplies
• passing along information from managers
• sending letters and emails and answering phone calls
• helping teammates with their tasks
• using software to complete projects
• maintaining office rules and boundaries
• goal tracking
• sticking to a budget
• recording expenses
• calling IT if software doesn't work
You regularly meet with management to show them your progress, discuss issues, hear back from clients and receive feedback. The meetings may involve slide presentations with charts and note-taking. During the meeting, management could highlight your accomplishments, offer constructive criticism and talk about your client's needs.
You might not speak directly to clients. However, you'll work with teammates every day, so you need to encourage trust, professionalism and honest communication. Sometimes, teammates bring conflicts to discuss with you. When this happens, you need to decide whether you can handle the situation or need to refer the team member to human resources (HR).
Would working as a project coordinator suit your administrative and leadership skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a project coordinator role.
view jobs near youaverage project coordinator salary
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics categorizes project coordinators along with other project specialists. In 2021, the average salary was $98,420 a year or $47.32 an hour. The highest annual salary was $159,140, while the lowest was $49,750.
Generally, project coordinators work full time for 40 hours a week with the possibility of overtime. Each state's labor laws are different, but many states require employers to pay 1.5 times your wages for each overtime hour. You may find part-time positions that average 20 hours a week and help you earn project coordination experience.
Each industry offers a different salary. The oil and gas extraction, financial investment and federal industries offer some of the biggest paychecks. If you want to advance, look for a position in a high-paying industry that requires similar skills. You'll have an advantage over other applicants because you come with experience.
Project coordinators typically work in offices, so you can expect regular 9 to 5 hours. Your manager could ask you to work overtime on nights and weekends when you have a tight deadline. They could offer holiday bonuses as well as quarterly bonuses when you help the team meet sales targets.
Wondering what you can earn as a project coordinator? Find out immediately with the Randstad salary checker! You can quickly and easily see what the average salary of a project coordinator is.
types of project coordinators
Project coordinators can specialize in an industry so that they have a strong knowledge base. Each industry requires different skills. For example, if you work in finance, you bring knowledge about the economy, stock markets and financial products to your work.
Project coordinators also take on different responsibilities. If you work with a large team, you could be the lead project coordinator with assistants who help you succeed. Your job description could refer to you as an assistant project manager who completes tasks without talking to clients or overseeing the whole group.
working as a project coordinator
Project coordinators use a variety of skills on the job, including leadership, communication and attention to detail. Here's what to expect when you are hired.
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project coordinator job description
What does a project coordinator do? American InterContinental University writes that work begins with the project manager. After determining their client's needs, they create a project outline, schedule and budget and figure out other essentials. Next, they pass the job to the project coordinator.
Your job isn't to complete the project yourself. In fact, you don't always work on it directly. Instead, you distribute tasks among the team members. For example, one individual gathers data while another writes a report and a third creates the presentation. You monitor their progress and help teammates who fall behind.
Project coordinators promote a positive working environment. You're available when teammates have questions or need guidance. Throughout the process, you celebrate achievements and recognize employees' accomplishments to keep them motivated. Timely, transparent communication shows teammates that they can trust you.
You'll also present updates to management on request. They'll likely notify you ahead of time so that you can prepare a presentation. You'll discuss the ways that you've stayed on schedule, stuck to the budget, encouraged your team and worked according to the client's specifications. If you fall behind, you'll speak honestly about the issue without blaming your team.
Throughout the process, you'll use software, such as spreadsheets and project management platforms, to store your data. Many software produces graphs for your presentation and allows you to see updates at a glance. You may also keep in touch with employees through the platform.
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project coordinator work environment
Project coordinators typically work in an office. You might work in a cubicle or private room and meet teammates in a group area. Sometimes, you could travel to other offices to speak with business partners or supervisors. Workers also visit events and conventions throughout the year.
Occasionally, project coordinators can work from home. You'll use software to contact employees and watch their progress. If necessary, you can even give presentations via video calls. Some employers offer a hybrid model that allows you to work from home on some days and visit the office on others, particularly if you're meeting with upper management.
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who are your colleagues?
Your colleagues include fellow project specialists, managers and entry-level team members. You may interact with industry leaders, event planners and other outside employees. Most offices have HR managers who assist you with job benefits and internal conflicts. Periodically, the information technology (IT) team will help you with software. This may include cloud engineers, software developers, security analysts and customer support employees. Finally, your clients are often business owners in the region.
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work schedule
Project coordinators have strict project schedules. When they're ready to start, managers provide a project outline with goals, presentation dates and a final due date. Part of your job is adhering to the schedule. If someone falls behind, you'll motivate them to get back on track or assign tasks to a different person.
You can expect to work Monday through Friday during the day for 40 hours a week. Office workers usually have nights and weekends off. However, you might need to work extra hours if your project is falling behind. Additionally, prepare yourself for last-minute changes — clients often adjust deadlines.
Part-time Project coordinators are uncommon, but if you find such a position, expect to work about 20 hours a week. This gives you an opportunity to slide into a full-time job. All employees usually get time off for major holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving.
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job outlook for project coordinators
Project coordinators have a positive outlook because every large business that works with clients needs this position. You take on essential responsibilities, guide teammates and assist managers, making you one of the most valuable employees. For this reason, companies usually offer project coordinators a decent salary.
Once you've mastered project coordination, consider advancing to become a project manager. These roles typically come with higher salaries and more promotion opportunities. Your resume will look appealing because you've already had a similar role and performed well in your field. Ask your current project manager for advice on interviewing well.
If you want to try something different, look at HR manager, administrative assistant and operations manager jobs. These roles utilize your communication and time management skills and provide new tools that you can use in other fields. Plus, you won't necessarily have to switch to another company.
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benefits of working for randstad as a project coordinators
Working through Randstad offers you a range of benefits:
- being paid weekly
- flexibility
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- many training opportunities
- a range of jobs in your area
Want a permanent contract? But you wonder why it would be interesting for you to work with a staffing company? A temporary job as a project coordinators is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
project coordinator skills and education
Maryville University reports that project coordinators need at least a high school diploma, but companies prefer employees with a bachelor's degree. Northeastern University notes that you can earn master's and doctorate degrees in the project management field. Higher degrees can mean higher salaries, but avoid positions whose hiring managers might consider you overqualified.
Your education may include classes in:
- time management
- leadership and teamwork
- business math
- project management
- note-taking
- problem-solving
- risk avoidance
- using charts and software
- business writing
The internet provides hundreds of free and affordable project coordinator classes. You won't leave with a degree, but you'll have even more knowledge to bring to work and add to your resume. Plus, you'll track industry news on the latest techniques and software. Employers want coordinators who quickly adapt to trends.
Likewise, attend events and conferences for more growth opportunities. Check out events in your field even if they're not directly related to project management. You'll still use that knowledge in the workplace. Online, you can follow blogs and business social media profiles.
Finally, ask experts for tips. What do they need from project coordinators? What makes someone a good fit? Companies want to hire you when they see that you've done your research.
skills and competencies
Project coordinators are team role models. Whether they realize it or not, your team members look up to you. When you enter the office in a cheerful mood, they'll replicate your attitude because they subconsciously follow your example. Likewise, if you're in a somber mood, you'll have a quiet, low-energy group.
Show your employees that you're cheerful, energetic and motivated, keeping them motivated, too. Project coordinators also make themselves available when employees need help. You won't do their job for them, but they'll feel comfortable discussing issues, such as concerns that they won't meet the deadline. You distribute tasks without ordering them around.
As the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics points out, project coordinators stay calm in stressful times. Talking to people often relieves tensions. Similarly, you'll set boundaries and expectations for your group without giving them too much to handle.
Finally, project coordinators are detail-oriented. Many clients are detail-oriented, too, and have strict requirements, so you check projects for mistakes, review project outlines and ask for help without making assumptions. Project coordinators also listen to performance reviews so that their next review will be even better.
FAQs about working as a project coordinator
Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about project coordinators.
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do project coordinators need a degree?
Employers prefer project coordinators with bachelor's degrees, but some might accept an associate degree. In any case, furthering your education with degrees and online courses shows employers that you're always ready to learn. You'll also earn on-the-job experience that helps you advance in your field.
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are project coordinators the same as project managers?
Project coordinators have similar responsibilities, but project managers work closely with clients and upper management. They provide the initial outline, including the budget and schedule, then let your team complete the work. Project managers may review your work to ensure the client's satisfaction.
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do project coordinators make high salaries?
You could make a high salary if you work in a high-paying industry, such as computer systems design. The average pay is around $98,420, so you'll probably have a nice paycheck no matter where you work. Some businesses offer better benefits and more paid time off (PTO).
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can project coordinators work from home?
Some employers require project coordinators to visit the office every day. However, some allow you to work from home and even provide equipment, such as computers, software and headphones. Others provide a hybrid model where you work in the office a few days a week and spend the rest of your time at home.
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which industries need project coordinators?
Technology, engineering, oil and gas, agriculture, architecture and design are just a few of the industries that need project coordinators. You'll have an advantage if you've already worked in these industries regardless of your position. However, virtually any business with high project volumes needs your talents.
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how do I find a job as a project coordinator?
Applying for a project coordinator job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our project coordinator jobs for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV. If you do not have a resume, no worries. Just check out our resume builder. This state-of-the-art tool will help you to create your own resume. Need help with your application? Check out all our job-hunting tips!
