A project manager organizes, plans, and executes projects on a schedule and within budget. They are responsible for the day-to-day management of the project from start to finish and manage the team working on it. The job can be done remotely, even by a competent freelancer.
A project manager oversees the day-to-day progress of a project in six areas: scope, schedule, finance, risk, quality, and resources. Because the position involves analyzing progress reports in all of these areas, remote project manager jobs are widespread.
Job descriptions and postings offer everything from entry-level jobs to ones requiring a bachelor’s degree or higher level of education or even positions requiring years of experience in the field.
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What Does A Project Manager Do?
Regardless of the type of job or company, the project manager is the lead person in ensuring that projects are completed. Primary responsibilities include planning, execution, staff management, ensuring the project stays under budget, and facilitating the process to completion.
A project has goals it must meet, with the deliverables being a product delivered to the marketplace, the number of clients served, or a plan to accomplish a task. The manager makes sure that progress adheres to project schedules allocated by upper management while staying within budget.
Improvements in information technology allow these positions to be done remotely with a remote, hybrid, or totally onsite workforce, depending on the job type and the corporation’s needs.
These employees oversee their team’s staffing requirements and update senior management on how the project is going, including anticipated date(s) of completion and budgetary updates. Those successful in this role should excel at time management, communication, and managing teams of people.
How Does A Product Manager Differ from A Project Manager Or Program Manager?
Project managers are often confused with two personnel with similar titles: program manager and product manager. In some respects, the jobs are similar because they control all aspects of managing the project’s progress.
A product manager is responsible for developing, producing, and marketing a product.
A project manager is responsible for the process of getting a job done.
A program manager is responsible for the outcome of multiple projects.
At least part of any of these jobs can be done remotely.
Can You Work Remotely As A Project Manager?
Yes, you can often work remotely as a project manager. What do you need?
- Ability to clearly communicate via email, Zoom meeting, and phone
- Budgetary knowledge
- Computer access
- Competence in Microsoft Office Suite (or Google, in some situations)
- Experience in managing people
- Knowledge of project management tools
- Outside-of-the-box thinking and attitude
- Project management experience is helpful (but not always required)
- Remote work knowledge and experience
- Reliable internet access
- Strong communication skills (both written and verbal)
- Workspace in a home office or other space
Examples of Project Management Tools
The right technology makes remote project management possible. Having project management tools to help ensure timelines are met, all aspects of the project are taken care of, communication goes smoothly, and everyone stays on the same page.
Project management has proliferated to the point that an article about it titled “The 72 BEST Project Management Software Solutions To Work Faster In 2023” implies that there are many more useful packages to consider,
Some software that can help include Airtable, Asana, Monday.com, Proofhub, Trello, and Zoho. Although there are many more, investigating these is a good place to start.
All of the online project management systems allow the project manager to list and delegate tasks efficiently, as well as track them. Choosing the right tool depends on the specific needs of the company. Some are free, and others come at a cost that varies depending on how many team members you need.
Who Hires Freelance Project Managers?
Becoming a freelance project manager requires following some simple steps.
- Understand the job requirements.
- Build a strong resume that highlights your skillset, including budgetary experience, leadership projects you have worked on, organizational skills, years of experience managing people, knowledge of maintaining timelines, and other skills specific to the area you wish to manage.
- Gain experience in the field. You may need to take on smaller jobs to start or accept compensation lower than you are hoping for as you acclimate yourself to the work and build a positive reputation.
- Advertising your services is the next step if you wish to be considered a leader for project teams, which you can do on many online job boards.
- Accept professional development opportunities that add to your credentials when the chance arises.
- Apply for jobs, including assistant project manager positions. This type of entry-level position can help you build experience and gain the trust of companies.
- Gather references and testimonials as to the quality of your work over time. These references will be very valuable as you continue to vie for positions.
How Much Does A Project Manager Make?
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average annual wage for a project manager is $94,500. The actual salary, of course, varies based on the geographic location of the business, years of experience, education of the individual, and type of business the project manager works for.
Freelance project manager salaries can vary quite a bit. Those who choose to work part-time and desire a flexible schedule may choose projects that have a quicker completion “turn-around” time, which means more projects but less pay for each project.
Some companies post temporary project management positions or project coordinators to get through a project. These positions can pay more but lack some perks like healthcare or 401K contributions.
Here are some high-paying jobs:
- Assistant Project Manager: This entry-level position would pay $30-$50 hourly.
- Construction Project Manager: $90,000-$125,000 annually.
- Environmental Services Project Manager: $70,000-$90,000 annually
- IT Project Manager: $60,000-$120,000 annually
- Senior Project Manager in Media Supply: $120,000 annual salary
- Software Development Project Manager: $80,000-$120,000 annually
How Do You Become A Project Manager?
If, after reading all of the above, you are hoping to become a remote project manager, here’s how to do it.
- Search job postings using job titles like “project manager” or “project coordinator” cross-referenced with “work-from-home” or “remote work.”
- Sign up for job alerts about employment opportunities delivered right to your email inbox.
- Be willing to take entry-level or assistant project manager positions as you start out.
- Learn how to succeed at remote interviewing, a very different and important skill.
- Accept interviews, even for positions you may not really want. That experience will be valuable when you get to an interview for a job you want.
