A project coordinator is an administrative professional who ensures that the people and resources allocated to achieving a goal are properly utilized. This person, also known as a project facilitator, usually works under the supervision of a manager to support one or more project teams. He or she is usually expected to juggle a variety of responsibilities, such as managing team members’ schedules and communication, coordinating meeting materials, and assisting members with transportation or relocation if necessary. A background in a field related to the project goals, as well as extensive experience working with groups and as a team leader, are often required for entry into the field.
Coordinators are required.
Major projects within a company, or between two or more separate organizations, frequently necessitate the supervision of a manager. As a project becomes more complicated, with additional tasks or team members added, it becomes increasingly difficult for a single manager to handle all aspects of team management. A project coordinator can help with this. He or she takes on some of the manager’s responsibilities to ensure that the project’s objectives are met.
Common Responsibilities
A project coordinator’s primary responsibility is to organize meetings and other conferences. If the work requires collaboration among people from various departments or organizations, for example, he or she ensures that everyone is aware of when a meeting is scheduled and finds a location that can accommodate all of the attendees. A facilitator’s job entails talking with different team members and attending meetings with other employees.
A project coordinator may be required to handle travel and lodging in addition to providing administrative support. This could simply entail coordinating car transportation for all team members to offsite meetings. A project coordinator may need to assist members of the team temporarily or permanently relocate closer to where the majority of the meetings take place if the group is made up of members from a wide region or even other countries. In this case, he or she might help with travel and housing arrangements, immigration paperwork, and acclimating members to a new environment.
Requirements
Individuals who take on coordination roles frequently require strong communication skills, as most projects require the collaboration of teams of people. Because time management is so important, good project coordinators must be able to multitask and stick to deadlines. Additional experience as a member of a team or as a team leader is also beneficial.
A focus on a specific field of study can also be beneficial. A software development team coordinator, for example, might have a degree in programming or software engineering. When the coordinator is aware of what the team is doing, he or she can better assist the group in achieving its objectives.
Salary & Other Benefits
Because this is a high-ranking position in a company, a project coordinator is usually paid more than other team members, even though he or she still reports to the manager. Some employers will pay bonuses if a project is completed on time and within budget. As businesses take on larger projects, they often realize the value of having a well-organized team. Individuals with the necessary project management experience and skills can usually find work with a variety of companies.