Project Manager
Prior relevant experience: 2-3 years
Time typically spent in this role: 2+ years
Important note: There are no junior roles in project management. Previous experience in software development or other technical roles is needed to become a project manager. PM is considered a middle/regular role when it comes to seniority.
Responsibilities
- Planning and budgeting
- Risk assessment
- Risk management
- Guiding the project team toward successful implementation
- Conducting team meetings
- Actively participating in meetings with stakeholders
- Prioritizing and supervising the progress of ongoing tasks
- Escalating issues when needed
- Ensuring transparency in the implementation of tasks
- Documenting the development process
- Facilitating knowledge exchange
- Reporting on the project results
Skills & traits
- At least some technological understanding of the project
- Good knowledge of project management methodologies
- Very good teamwork and communication skills, including conflict-resolution skills
- Good presentation skills
- Strategic thinking ability
- Financial aptitude
- Patience and the ability to stay calm under pressure
- Knowledge of Unified Modeling Language (UML) is a plus
- Experience in software development is a plus
Tools
- PTS - Project Tracking System (e.g., Microsoft Project)
- Microsoft Office suite
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Ticketing system (usually Jira)
- Documentation software (usually Confluence)
- Communication tools (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Zoom)
- Code management tool (e.g., Jenkins) - optionally
- Design/modeling tools (e.g., Enterprise Architect) - optionally
- IDE (e.g., Visual Studio) - optionally
Senior Project Manager
Prior relevant experience: 4-5 years
Time typically spent in this role: 3+ years
Responsibilities
- End-to-end project planning and budgeting
- Risk assessment
- Risk management
- Expectations management
- Providing guidance and leadership to the project team
- Leading team meetings
- Conducting regular meetings with all project stakeholders
- Being one point of contact on everything connected to the project
- Prioritizing and assigning tasks
- Supervising the progress of ongoing tasks and the project as a whole
- Resolving issues and escalating them when necessary
- Ensuring transparency and observability throughout the project
- Securing proper documentation
- Facilitating knowledge transfer and onboarding
- Creating reports
Skills & traits
- Basic technological understanding of the project
- Working experience with project management methodologies
- Excellent leadership, teamwork, and communication skills
- Ability to resolve conflicts and manage expectations
- Very good presentation skills
- Proficiency in strategic thinking
- Good budgeting skills
- Patience and the ability to stay calm under pressure
- Knowledge of Unified Modeling Language (UML) is a plus
- Experience in software development is a plus
Tools
- PTS - Project Tracking System (e.g., Microsoft Project)
- Microsoft Office suite
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Ticketing system (usually Jira)
- Documentation software (usually Confluence)
- Communication tools (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Zoom)
- Code management tool (e.g., Jenkins) - optionally
- Design/modeling tools (e.g., Enterprise Architect) - optionally
- IDE (e.g., Visual Studio) - optionally
Program Manager and Portfolio Manager
Program Managers are responsible for synchronizing, budgeting, and strategically managing a program consisting of several projects with a shared goal.
Portfolio Managers are responsible for managing a portfolio of multiple loosely connected projects, e.g., all projects performed by one department of the company or all projects connected to one specific area of the organization’s activity.
Prior relevant experience: 7+ years
Time typically spent in this role: 5+ years
Responsibilities
- Strategic planning
- Prioritizing and budgeting multiple projects
- Strategic risk assessment and management
- Providing guidance and leadership to Project Managers and their teams
- Holding regular meetings with organization stakeholders
- Supervising and facilitating the progress of several projects
- Providing a strategic approach to resolving project issues
- Guaranteeing transparency and observability of projects and teams
- Reviewing projects’ documentation
- Facilitating knowledge transfer
- Ensuring successful implementation of projects
- Reviewing project reports and reporting to stakeholders
Skills & traits
- Basic technological understanding of the project
- Thorough experience with project management methodologies
- Excellent leadership, teamwork, and communication skills
- Excellent problem-solving skills
- Excellent presentation and oratory skills
- Proficiency in strategic thinking
- Very good budgeting skills
- Patience and the ability to stay calm under pressure
- Knowledge of Unified Modeling Language (UML) is a plus
- Experience in software development is a plus
Tools
- PTS - Project Tracking System (e.g., Microsoft Project)
- Microsoft Office suite
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Ticketing system (usually Jira)
- Documentation software (usually Confluence)
- Communication tools (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Zoom)
Recommended certifications
There are many certificates worth having, and in many companies, candidates are expected to obtain at least one to secure a Project Manager position. However, practice and relevant experience always take priority.
- Project Management Professional (PMP) is an internationally recognized professional certification awarded by the Project Management Institute, a U.S.-based professional organization.
- PRINCE2 Foundation, PRINCE2 Practitioner, and PRINCE2 Agile are certifications based on the PRINCE2 project management method developed as a UK government standard and then adopted in many countries worldwide.
- Directional certifications, such as ITIL (IT service management), AgilePM (Agile Project Management, and PSPO (Professional Scrum Product Owner).
Join Maxima Consulting
As a company involved in many industries and technologies, we regularly seek to hire insightful problem-solvers who enjoy the responsibility and thrill of managing a project. We hope you will join our team and enjoy Maxima Consulting’s flat organizational structure, stability of employment, and opportunities for professional growth.