What Does an IT Project Manager Do?
An IT project manager leads the planning, execution, and delivery of technology-related projects that support business goals. This professional works closely with stakeholders to define project scope, develop timelines, allocate resources, and manage risks. Whether launching new software, upgrading infrastructure, or migrating systems to the cloud, IT project managers ensure that every step of the process is organized, on time, and within budget.
In addition to overseeing execution, IT project managers coordinate cross-functional teams, maintain project documentation, and communicate progress to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. They are responsible for managing vendor relationships, resolving roadblocks, and driving continuous improvement through structured methodologies such as Agile, Scrum, or Waterfall. Their leadership is essential to ensuring technology initiatives align with organizational priorities and deliver measurable results.
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IT Project Manager Core Responsibilities
- Define project scope, goals, deliverables, and success metrics
- Create detailed project plans, schedules, and resource assignments
- Lead cross-functional teams, including internal IT staff and third-party vendors
- Monitor project progress and manage scope, timelines, and budgets
- Identify and mitigate risks throughout the project lifecycle
- Communicate project status to stakeholders through reports and presentations
- Facilitate daily stand-ups, sprint reviews, or milestone check-ins as needed
- Ensure compliance with security, quality, and governance standards
- Maintain accurate documentation for project planning, changes, and outcomes
- Conduct post-project reviews to capture lessons learned and improvement areas
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Proficiency in project management software (e.g., Microsoft Project, Jira, Smartsheet, Trello)
- Understanding of SDLC, Agile, Scrum, and Waterfall methodologies
- Familiarity with IT systems, infrastructure, or application deployment lifecycles
- Budget tracking and vendor coordination
Soft skills
- Clear communication with technical and business teams
- Strong leadership and task delegation
- Risk analysis and mitigation planning
- Time management and prioritization in dynamic environments
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, or a related field
Certifications
- PMP (Project Management Professional) required or strongly preferred
- Recommended: Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), PRINCE2, Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience leading both Agile and Waterfall projects
- Background in IT infrastructure, software, or cloud environments
- Previous work with third-party vendors or offshored teams
- Familiarity with compliance frameworks (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR, SOX)
National Average Salary
IT project manager salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Position is:
$123,456
Sample Job Description Templates for IT Project Managers
Junior IT Project Manager
Position Overview
We are seeking a Junior IT Project Manager to support the planning and execution of technology initiatives. This entry-level role works alongside senior project managers to help coordinate tasks, track milestones, and maintain project documentation. Ideal candidates are detail-oriented, organized, and eager to grow in IT project delivery.
Responsibilities
- Assist with project planning, scheduling, and task assignments
- Track progress and update project plans under direction of senior PMs
- Prepare meeting notes, status reports, and stakeholder updates
- Manage project documentation including scope changes and risks
- Coordinate team meetings and assist with resource logistics
- Support vendor communications and contract tracking
- Help ensure tasks are completed on time and within scope
Requirements
Hard skills
- Familiarity with project tools (e.g., Jira, Asana, MS Project)
- Understanding of project phases and deliverables
- Basic knowledge of IT systems or applications
Soft skills
- Organization and multitasking
- Strong communication with team members and stakeholders
- Willingness to learn and take initiative
- Time management under multiple priorities
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in IT, project management, or related field
Certifications
- Recommended: CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management), Scrum Fundamentals
Preferred Qualifications
- Internship or experience supporting IT or technical projects
- Familiarity with Agile, Scrum, or hybrid workflows
Senior IT Project Manager
Position Overview
We are looking for a Senior IT Project Manager to lead large-scale technology projects from initiation through closeout. This role requires hands-on leadership of cross-functional teams, budgeting, and stakeholder management. The ideal candidate is experienced in multiple methodologies and capable of delivering strategic IT initiatives on time and within budget.
Responsibilities
- Define project scope, objectives, and deliverables with business sponsors
- Build and maintain detailed project schedules, budgets, and risk plans
- Lead teams through planning, execution, and delivery phases
- Manage vendors, consultants, and external development teams
- Communicate regularly with stakeholders and executive sponsors
- Monitor KPIs and project health; escalate risks as needed
- Facilitate post-project evaluations and lessons learned
Requirements
Hard skills
- Proficiency in project tools (Smartsheet, MS Project, Jira, Confluence)
- Deep knowledge of project lifecycle methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, hybrid)
- Budget oversight and procurement coordination
Soft skills
- Strong leadership and decision-making under pressure
- Clear communication with business and technical stakeholders
- Negotiation and stakeholder alignment skills
- Risk and conflict resolution expertise
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, business, or a related field
Certifications
- PMP (Project Management Professional) required
- Recommended: Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), CSM
Preferred Qualifications
- 7+ years managing IT projects across departments or platforms
- Experience in enterprise environments or regulated industries
Technical IT Project Manager
Position Overview
We are hiring a Technical IT Project Manager to lead delivery of complex system implementations and technical integrations. This role partners closely with engineering, DevOps, and infrastructure teams to translate business needs into system requirements and ensure technical success. The ideal candidate has hands-on IT knowledge and excels in cross-functional leadership.
Responsibilities
- Translate technical specifications into actionable project plans
- Manage timelines, sprints, and deliverables for development and systems teams
- Lead infrastructure upgrades, integrations, or application builds
- Collaborate with architects, QA, and release managers to ensure solution quality
- Identify technical dependencies, scope creep, and architecture risks
- Manage documentation of workflows, data mappings, and system designs
- Serve as a technical liaison between business users and engineering
Requirements
Hard skills
- Deep understanding of system development lifecycles (SDLC)
- Familiarity with cloud infrastructure, APIs, or database systems
- Proficiency with Jira, GitHub, CI/CD pipelines, or DevOps tools
Soft skills
- Strong communication across technical and non-technical teams
- Analytical mindset with attention to detail
- Proactive issue resolution and collaboration
- Agile team facilitation
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, or IT
Certifications
- PMP required
- Recommended: ScrumMaster (CSM), AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
Preferred Qualifications
- 5+ years managing infrastructure or application-focused projects
- Background in software engineering or systems analysis
IT Program Manager
Position Overview
We are seeking an IT Program Manager to lead a portfolio of related projects and drive alignment between business strategy and technical execution. This role oversees project managers, ensures resource optimization, and maintains program-level reporting for leadership. Ideal candidates are seasoned professionals with strong leadership skills and enterprise delivery experience.
Responsibilities
- Manage a portfolio of interdependent IT projects toward a shared objective
- Coordinate project managers and ensure consistency in delivery standards
- Oversee program timelines, milestones, and consolidated budgets
- Align technical and business teams around strategy and execution
- Track performance metrics, ROI, and risk across multiple workstreams
- Serve as the primary contact for executive sponsors and governance reviews
- Support organizational change initiatives related to program outcomes
Requirements
Hard skills
- Program management experience across large-scale IT initiatives
- Proficiency with portfolio tools (e.g., Clarity PPM, Planview, MS Project Online)
- Strong budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting skills
Soft skills
- Strategic thinking and roadmap planning
- Leadership of cross-functional delivery teams
- Executive communication and negotiation
- Stakeholder management at the enterprise level
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in IT, MIS, or business required
- Master’s degree is a plus
Certifications
- PMP required
- Recommended: PgMP (Program Management Professional), SAFe Program Consultant
Preferred Qualifications
- 10+ years of experience managing IT projects and programs
- Familiarity with transformation programs or ERP rollouts
Remote IT Project Manager
Position Overview
We are looking for a Remote IT Project Manager to lead distributed teams and technology projects from a fully virtual environment. This role requires exceptional communication, asynchronous planning, and expertise in managing deliverables across time zones. Ideal candidates are self-motivated leaders who excel in remote collaboration and agile execution.
Responsibilities
- Plan and manage IT projects remotely across distributed teams
- Coordinate task tracking, updates, and meetings via digital platforms
- Use collaboration tools to maintain visibility and accountability
- Communicate clearly with stakeholders in various time zones
- Monitor project health using dashboards and reporting tools
- Document key milestones, changes, and decisions asynchronously
- Facilitate remote retrospectives, sprint planning, or stand-ups
Requirements
Hard skills
- Proficiency with remote project tools (e.g., Zoom, Slack, Jira, Trello, ClickUp)
- Experience managing IT teams and technical deliverables remotely
- Familiarity with Agile, Kanban, or hybrid project methods
Soft skills
- Self-discipline and proactive communication
- Time zone and availability awareness
- Virtual leadership and team motivation
- Clarity in digital documentation and direction
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in IT, project management, or a related field
Certifications
- PMP required
- Recommended: Remote Project Management (RMP), Certified ScrumMaster
Preferred Qualifications
- 4+ years of experience managing remote IT projects
- Experience in SaaS, cloud, or fully distributed organizations