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Senior project managers are adept at steering complex initiatives from conception to completion, ensuring that each project meets time, budget, and quality control requirements. Their skills typically allow them to oversee larger projects, manage diverse teams, and deliver successful outcomes. Learning more about these competencies can help you navigate the complexities of project management and add value to the workplace.
In this article, we define soft and hard senior project manager skills, discuss how to improve and showcase them during your job search, and review why they’re important.
What are senior project manager skills?
Senior project manager skills typically encompass two categories: hard and soft skills. Hard skills are teachable abilities or knowledge areas which are easily quantifiable, like your capacity to utilize project management software or your understanding of the project life cycle. In contrast, soft skills are your interpersonal and communication skills, like how you interact with others and handle situations.
Senior project manager soft skills
Beyond the technical know-how, a great senior project manager typically has a range of soft skills. These competencies can enable you to better communicate with your team, handle challenges gracefully, and keep projects on track. Below is a list of senior project manager soft skills you may consider enhancing:
Leadership
Successful project managers often guide their teams toward achieving their project objectives. Strong leadership skills can inspire those around you and guide them towards shared success. It can also involve conflict resolution, making crucial decisions, and maintaining motivation among your staff.
Problem solving
Running successful projects typically requires solid navigation skills. When problems arise, your team will generally look to you to steer them out of any difficulties. A skilled senior project manager has robust problem-solving skills to handle challenges efficiently.
Communication
Projects require constant communication between investors, team members, and clients. Excellent communication skills can ensure that everyone is on the same page, understands tasks, and feels valued. A strong site manager is typically a strong communicator who can bridge the gap between all parties involved in a project.
Time management
As a senior project manager, you’ll often juggle tasks, resources, and timelines. Efficient time management skills can help you prioritize effectively and ensure projects progress on schedule.
Emotional intelligence
Project managers work with various parties with different personalities, challenges, and emotions. A high emotional intelligence (EQ) can help you understand and respond to your team’s needs and motivations, empowering them to excel in their roles.
Senior project manager hard skills
Soft skills are concrete abilities that can facilitate project success, such as managing costs, understanding project management methodologies, and using project management software. Below is a list of senior project manager hard skills you may consider upgrading:
Budgeting and finance
Senior project managers are generally responsible for creating and managing project budgets. Familiarity with finance can help you make sound decisions that positively impact the project’s financial health.
Project management methodologies
Understanding project management methodologies such as Agile, Waterfall, and SCRUM can help you excel in the planning and execution phases of project management.
Knowledge of project management software
Proficiency in project management software tools, like JIRA, Trello, and Asana, can help streamline your work. These tools offer a digital workspace for project tracking, resource allocation, and team communication.
How to improve your senior project manager skills
While having basic knowledge of these hard and soft competencies is great, one way to stand out amongst other candidates is through continuous skill improvement and development. Here are a few ways to improve your senior project manager competencies:
Attend workshops and webinars
Lifelong learning can help you expand your skill sets. Consider enrolling in workshops and webinars focused on project management techniques and tools.
Find a mentor
Find someone experienced in project management and foster a mentor-mentee relationship with them. They can provide valuable insights into their methods, experiences, and approaches and share tips and constructive criticism on what you do well and areas that may need improvement.
Practise
It can be beneficial to apply what you learn throughout your daily tasks. For example, if you recently learned how to use new software, you could put this knowledge to use in your next project. This strategy allows you to test out your new skills and practise getting better at it.
How to highlight your senior project manager skills
Knowing how to showcase your senior project manager skills in your resume, cover letter, and during job interviews can significantly increase your chances of landing your desired role. Here are a few ways to highlight your competencies:
In your resume
You can use your resume to list the hard skills corresponding to the job posting. For instance, if the employer wants someone with experience in Agile methodology and software like JIRA, ensure these competencies stand out on your resume.
In your cover letter
Use your cover letter to narrate stories that demonstrate your skills. For example, if you led a challenging project that required extensive problem-solving skills, share how your competencies led to a successful outcome.
During interviews
Interviews are an excellent opportunity to explain how you’ve applied your skills to real-world situations. Consider using examples from previous work experiences and elaborate on how you used your skills to achieve project goals on time and within budget.
Importance of senior project manager skills
Senior project manager skills can be vital for different reasons—they not only contribute to personal career growth but also play an indispensable role in business efficiency and success. Here’s why these skills matter:
Drive project success
Solid project manager skills can drive the success of any project. With proper management techniques and a good understanding of project scope, budget and schedule, you can significantly reduce risks, avoid overruns, and ensure that projects align with expectations.
Enhance team productivity
Soft skills, such as leadership, communication, and emotional intelligence, can help boost team productivity and performance by creating an inclusive and supportive work environment. Effective communication clarifies roles and responsibilities, leadership motivates team members to reach their potential, and high EQ enables you to work harmoniously with diverse personalities.
Contribute to business growth
Robust senior project manager skills can significantly contribute to an organization’s growth. Ensuring your team completes projects on time and within budget, providing value to clients, and boosting customer satisfaction can open doors to future business opportunities.