Project manager job description template

What a project manager does

Project managers turn plans into finished work. They define scope, build schedules, manage risk, and keep everyone moving toward the same deadline. The method and industry matter: a software project manager running agile sprints and a construction project manager running a job site have little in common beyond the title. Say which kind of project the person will lead, the typical size and budget, and the methods your team uses.

Project manager job description template

Copy the description, replace everything in [brackets], and cut any line that isn't true for your job. The duties and requirements are a starting point written by HR practitioners, not a legal standard, so edit them to match the real work.

Project manager

Details
- Department: [Department]
- Reports to: [Manager title]
- Location: [City, State, or remote]
- Employment type: [Full-time, part-time, or seasonal]
- FLSA status: Exempt
- Pay range: [$X to $Y per year]

About [Company]
[Two or three sentences about what your company does, who it serves, and why people like working here.]

Job summary
We're looking for a project manager to lead [type] projects from kickoff to delivery, on time, on budget, and to the quality our customers expect.

What you'll do
- Define project scope, goals, and deliverables with stakeholders.
- Build and maintain project plans, schedules, and budgets.
- Coordinate teams, vendors, and resources.
- Identify and manage risks, issues, and changes.
- Run project meetings and keep stakeholders informed.
- Track progress against milestones and report status.
- Manage quality and acceptance of deliverables.
- Close projects and capture lessons learned.

What you'll need
- [Three] or more years of project management experience.
- Experience leading projects with budgets of [range].
- Strong planning, organization, and communication skills.
- Experience with [project management tools].

Nice to have
- PMP or similar certification.
- Agile or Scrum certification.
- Experience in [industry].

Skills
Planning, Risk management, Stakeholder communication, Budget control, Leadership, Problem solving.

Physical demands and work environment
Office, hybrid, or remote setting, with site visits for some projects.

Pay and benefits
[$X to $Y per year], based on experience and location. [List benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plan match, paid time off, and training.]

Equal opportunity
[Company] is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. If you need a reasonable accommodation to apply or interview, contact [name] at [email or phone].

How to customize it for your job

• Name the type and size of projects.
• Say which methods you use, such as agile or waterfall.
• List the tools in use.
• Describe decision authority over budget and scope.

Then check it against the HRTally job description standard, our 10-point checklist, and run it through the inclusive language swap list. Both take about five minutes.

How much to pay a project manager

Half of US project management specialists earned more than $49.19 an hour in May 2025, and half earned less, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That national figure is a starting point, not a pay range. Pay for the same job can differ by 30 percent or more between metro areas, so check the BLS occupation profile for state and metro data before you set your range.

To convert between hourly and annual pay, use our salary to hourly calculator. If you hire in a state or city with a pay transparency law, the range must appear in the posting itself. Our pay transparency laws guide lists where, and our guide to salary bands explains how to set ranges you can defend.

Exempt status, licenses, and legal notes

FLSA status: Usually exempt. Job titles don't decide overtime eligibility. Duties and pay do. Our guide to exempt vs non-exempt employees walks through each test, and the overtime calculator shows what a nonexempt employee is owed.

Project managers are often exempt under the administrative exemption when they exercise independent judgment on significant matters and are paid on salary above the threshold. Project coordinators who mainly track tasks and schedule meetings may be nonexempt. Construction project managers on federal or federally funded projects should understand Davis-Bacon prevailing wage and certified payroll requirements.

This is general information for US employers, not legal advice. Laws change and vary by state and city, so confirm the current rules or talk to employment counsel before you rely on them.

Interview questions to ask

Ask every candidate the same core questions and score answers against the same criteria. Structured interviews are fairer and predict job performance better than open conversation.

1. Tell me about a project that went off track. How did you recover it?
2. How do you handle a stakeholder who keeps changing scope?
3. Walk me through how you build a schedule.
4. How do you tell leadership a deadline won't be met?

When you're ready to schedule, use our interview invitation email template. For a full hiring process, read the recruitment process guide.

Frequently asked questions