Job profile
Project leader / Project Manager (m/f/d)

What is a project leader? And what is the difference between a project leader and a project manager?

In the majority of industries, project leaders are used to lead projects to success within the chronological and financial specifications, and minimize the risks. Project leaders are therefore in demand within organizations. This is because they coordinate and plan all of the components of a project, and are responsible for the design and the technical and organizational implementation.

Project leaders also carry a great deal of responsibility for their team, and are in constant contact with their superiors and the stakeholders who are significantly involved in the project. Leadership qualities are just as much a part of the project leader as the ability to draw up schedules, plan resources and also keep an eye on the costs and risks that arise until the completion of the project.

The terms project leader and project manager are often used synonymously. However, their responsibilities and competencies can differ. Whereas project leaders are actually concerned with utilising their leadership skills, project managers are mainly responsible for controlling, coordinating and organizing projects.

Profile overview

Profile

PROJECT LEADER / PROJECT MANAGER

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Are you looking for a job as a project leader or project manager (m/f/d)?

Do you always keep track of project processes, know how to make correct use of resources and like to be bang on schedule? If you would like to contribute your strategic and planning skills as a project leader or project manager in a new company, let's talk to each other.

Find current project leader jobs

Are you looking for a project leader or a project manager (m/f/d)?

Do you have a number of projects in the pipeline, but don't have a suitable project leader or project manager within your own ranks? In order to ensure that your projects are completed successfully, we will find qualified project management personnel for you who will avoid even the smallest risk, and lead your project to success.

Find qualified project leaders

Are you looking for an exciting project as a project leader or project manager?

Have you already successfully accompanied projects in different industries from order acceptance to completion, or even specialized in a particular area? If you know exactly how to coordinate a team properly, make correct use of various resources and build good relationships with clients and stakeholders, then make use of your project leadership skills in a new project. Find your next challenge with us.

Find current projects for project leaders

Duties and activities of project managers

Proper planning is the be-all and end-all when carrying out projects. Before it even gets off the ground, the project has to be prepared down to the last detail. This means that targets, budgets and deadlines for the individual stages of the project have to be planned, and appropriate teams are set up. Responsibilities and duties are assigned and clearly communicated. This is the only way for a project to be carried out and completed successfully. Different tasks are assigned to project managers depending on the phase the project is in. Find out more about the job description of a project manager:

Start phase

Setup and management of the team
Production of a project plan (dates, schedule, budget)
Risk assessment
Definition of sub-stages
Coordination of duties and responsibilities

Project implementation

Budget monitoring
Adhering to deadlines
Conflict resolution with team or with project partners
Motivation of the team
Communication with customers, partners, clients and superiors
Compliance with rules, guidelines and specifications
Team meetings
Project documentation

Closing phase

Final calculation
Create final report
Presentation of the project

Because every project takes a different course, project management employees seldom fall back on routines. But the project manager or project leader reaps the benefits of his or her own experience in the planning, monitoring and coordination of employees and resources with every new project.

Project manager salary: how much does a project manager earn? And how much does a project leader earn?

Even if the job titles of project leader and project manager are used in many industries and involve similar areas of responsibility, the pay depends on the industry to a considerable extent. There may be considerable differences between the salaries. Depending on the industry, the salary for project managers and project leaders can differ considerably. In the automotive industry, for example, they earn significantly more than in the tourism industry.

The size of the company is also decisive with regard to earnings in project management and project leadership. Large companies with more than 500 employees often pay up to 50 percent more salary than small to medium-sized companies.

The project manager salary

Project managers start their careers with a gross annual salary of around EUR 36,000. The more professional experience they accumulate over the years, the more salary they get. On average, experienced project managers earn a gross annual salary of around EUR 58,000.

The project leader salary

On average, project leaders start their careers with a gross annual salary of around EUR 36,000. As an experienced project leader, however, a significant increase in salary is possible during your professional career. You can earn a gross annual salary of up to EUR 77,000.

How do you become a project leader?

There is no prescribed training route for a job as a project leader. The tasks and projects in the respective industries are far too diverse, and the knowledge that is required to successfully implement projects is equally as diverse. Project leaders are therefore often promoted to this position or slip into this role because they have in-depth knowledge of the industry and the company, and have led many projects to success.

Many employers entrust long-standing employees with the task of project leadership because they have already proven themselves in the company, and have been able to demonstrate their skills as a project manager.

However, a degree or training in the relevant specialist area is still a basic requirement for many employers when it comes to taking on project leadership. For example, construction projects should be carried out by civil engineers, or projects in the pharmaceutical industry by graduates in pharmacy or comparable disciplines. Courses are also available which focus on project management. For example, engineering students can choose to major in project management and therefore acquire the soft skills that they need for their future professional career.

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There is no prescribed training route for a job as a project leader. The tasks and projects in the respective industries are far too diverse, and the knowledge that is required to successfully implement projects is equally as diverse. Project leaders are therefore often promoted to this position or slip into this role because they have in-depth knowledge of the industry and the company, and have led many projects to success.

Many employers entrust long-standing employees with the task of project leadership because they have already proven themselves in the company, and have been able to demonstrate their skills as a project manager.

However, a degree or training in the relevant specialist area is still a basic requirement for many employers when it comes to taking on project leadership. For example, construction projects should be carried out by civil engineers, or projects in the pharmaceutical industry by graduates in pharmacy or comparable disciplines. Courses are also available which focus on project management. For example, engineering students can choose to major in project management and therefore acquire the soft skills that they need for their future professional career.

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What soft skills should project leaders have?

The know-how that project leaders require depends on the industry and the projects to be carried out to a considerable extent. However, correct planning of time and costs and the communication between the team, the client and superiors is important in every project.

Project leaders therefore require the following soft skills:

Analytical and planning skills
Resilience, flexibility and assertiveness
Good communication skills
Sound knowledge of project management methods
The composition, development and coordination of the project team
Observation and monitoring of the effects of the project work
Communication with all stakeholders
Conflict management within the project team and its surroundings

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The know-how that project leaders require depends on the industry and the projects to be carried out to a considerable extent. However, correct planning of time and costs and the communication between the team, the client and superiors is important in every project.

Project leaders therefore require the following soft skills:

Analytical and planning skills
Resilience, flexibility and assertiveness
Good communication skills
Sound knowledge of project management methods
The composition, development and coordination of the project team
Observation and monitoring of the effects of the project work
Communication with all stakeholders
Conflict management within the project team and its surroundings

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Find your next challenge or your future employees with Hays

Finding the perfect person for the project management of upcoming projects can be very tedious. Because specialist company knowledge is not always available. But someone who knows the industry already has a tremendous advantage.

We bring experienced project leaders and project managers with in-depth industrial knowledge to exactly the companies which suit them and need their expertise with our innovative "Find & Engage" concept.

We can quickly find out who is a good match in our extensive pool of companies and applicant profiles. We compare qualifications with requirements, and personalities with corporate values. As soon as we find that the candidate's skills, experience and requirements are a match for the requirements of a job profile, we establish mutual contact. If it is clear that cooperation is desired following the talks, the framework conditions for this cooperation will be agreed with us. Design your professional future with us.

Minimise More Info

Finding the perfect person for the project management of upcoming projects can be very tedious. Because specialist company knowledge is not always available. But someone who knows the industry already has a tremendous advantage.

We bring experienced project leaders and project managers with in-depth industrial knowledge to exactly the companies which suit them and need their expertise with our innovative "Find & Engage" concept.

We can quickly find out who is a good match in our extensive pool of companies and applicant profiles. We compare qualifications with requirements, and personalities with corporate values. As soon as we find that the candidate's skills, experience and requirements are a match for the requirements of a job profile, we establish mutual contact. If it is clear that cooperation is desired following the talks, the framework conditions for this cooperation will be agreed with us. Design your professional future with us.

Minimise More Info