what is a project coordinator?

As a project coordinator, you manage specific aspects of a project. You assist project managers with organising and planning particular tasks. For instance, you perform administrative tasks on behalf of the project manager, like monitoring and assigning daily jobs to team members. You communicate the project details with team members and act as a liaison between team members and the project manager. You also create reports and updates for the management team.

The role of a project coordinator changes constantly depending on the project. For instance, in the initial planning stages, you facilitate the acquisition of resources and manage contracts. You also create a budget and ensure the workers optimise their resources.

what kinds of industries do project coordinators work in?

Project coordinators focus on organisation and implementation, which makes them useful in every industry. Since most business sectors have projects that need supervision, project coordinators are always in demand. You may work in construction, assisting project managers in supervising successful building projects. Some project coordinators work in the logistics industry, helping managers with administrative work like supervision and report writing.

project coordinator jobs
1

average project coordinator salary

The median remuneration package of a project coordinator is $65,000 per year. Entry-level workers with minimal experience start their careers with an annual salary of $51,000. On the other hand, experienced project coordinators take home a remuneration package of $90,000. The remuneration packages usually come with various monetary and non-monetary benefits.

what factors affect the salaries of project coordinators?

Remuneration packages vary depending on the industry and specific roles. For instance, working in the public sector is likely to pay more than in the private sector, especially if you work in defence. Project coordinators in engineering and mining earn higher salaries than construction coordinators.

In some companies, a project coordinator works under a project manager. At the same time,  other employers expect the project coordinator to perform similar duties to the project manager. When you take on additional responsibilities in project management, you are likely to earn a higher salary.

Your qualifications and experience also influence your remuneration package. With the right skills and experience, you will be a top earner in your company. Entry-level project coordinators earn less due to their minimal work experience.

2

types of project coordinators

The types of project coordinators depend on the industry sector. Some project coordinator roles include:

  • government project coordinator: you help to oversee the various aspects of a government project. This can include coordinating between different government agencies, as well as private contractors.You ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget.
  • construction project coordinator: you may work in the construction or infrastructure industry. Your job is to organise construction workers, prepare budgets and ensure the construction work meets building regulations. You also report to project managers or clients on the site work progress.
  • information technology project coordinator: you assist in delivering IT projects on time. You may supervise software development projects, network upgrades or the creation of IT strategies. You also assist in integrating new technologies.
  • business project coordinator: you can work in the finance, hospitality and health sectors to drive business improvement and transformation. You monitor the successful implementation of business improvement processes to ensure their success.
smiling females having a conversation
smiling females having a conversation
3

working as a project coordinator

Working as a project coordinator involves organising and supervising various tasks related to project execution. Here are some of the duties and work environments of project coordinators:

4

education and skills

To become a project coordinator, you require the following educational qualifications:

  • qualifications in project management: you don't require a bachelor's degree to become a project coordinator. However, you should gain certification in project management. Courses include a Certificate in project management practice or a diploma or advanced diploma in project management.
  • work experience: you need extensive work experience to become a project coordinator. Consider gaining experience through an internship or entry-level job in the role. You should also find roles that help you develop managerial or supervisory skills. For instance, a Graduate Certificate in project management can boost your managerial skills.

project coordinator skills and competencies

The following qualities can help you excel as a project coordinator:

  • attention to detail: as a project coordinator, you supervise all project activities. Being detail-oriented helps you zone in on minor aspects of the project to ensure all activities run smoothly.
  • organisational skills: as project coordinator, you require exceptional organisational skills to plan project activities and work schedules. Since you have multiple tasks to juggle, organisation skills help you balance competing priorities and ensure everything runs smoothly.
  • problem-solving skills: as a project coordinator, it is essential to think on your feet since you encounter various problems. Problem-solving skills help you stay calm in a crisis and promptly fix any issues.
  • leadership skills: as project coordinator, you supervise various work activities and colleagues. Hence, you need leadership skills to make decisions. Leadership skills improve your confidence in managing the workforce and motivating project teams towards a specific goal.
5

FAQs about working as a project coordinator

Here are the most asked questions about working as a project coordinator:

thank you for subscribing to your personalised job alerts.