What Does a Data Project Manager Do?

Data project managers lead data-related projects, combining data knowledge with project management skills. In this specialized role, you may oversee a team responsible for implementing a new data management system, conducting data-driven research, assisting with data acquisition, and more.

Demand for data project managers is high as companies increasingly rely on technology like artificial intelligence to support operations and look for insights from big data when making decisions. If you are a project manager looking to transition into a specialized field or a data aficionado with a flair for leading teams, a career as a data project manager may interest you. Read on to learn more about this role and what you can do.

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Google Project Management:

Get on the fast track to a career in project management. In this certificate program, you’ll learn in-demand skills, and get AI training from Google experts. Learn at your own pace, no degree or experience required.

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Average time: 6 month(s)

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Skills you'll build:

Project Management, Change Management, Strategic Thinking, Career Development, Organizational Culture, Risk Management, Quality Management, Project Execution, Agile Management, Problem Solving, Coaching, Scrum, Influencing, Effective Communication, Stakeholder Management, Business Writing, Project Charter, Procurement, Task Estimation, Project Planning

What is a data project manager? 

A data project manager specializes in data-related projects. In this role, you may lead technical and non-technical projects from start to finish, including selecting and training team members, creating timelines, and supporting the team. In addition to these typical project manager tasks, you may share your data and business analytics expertise to help companies develop systems to collect, organize, and interpret data related to their operations.

Read more: Data Analytics: Definition, Uses, Examples, and More

What does a data project manager do?

A data project manager does the same work as a project manager, which includes developing a project’s objective, purpose, and size. In addition, you also make sure all aspects of the project receive proper authorization, including the teams, budgets, and timeframe. You will likely spend time communicating with team members, stakeholders, clients, and other company personnel to ensure everyone knows a project’s current status.

Tasks and responsibilities

Your responsibilities as a data project manager are similar to those of a traditional project manager but with more data-oriented tasks. Specifically, these duties may include the following:

• Communicate with team members: This can include learning and addressing the needs of your teams, including executive teams, data warehouse teams, data teams, and more. It’s important for everyone to understand a project’s scope.

• Act as your team’s chief learning officer: With team members, you may need to identify gaps in their expertise with big data and develop a plan to close them through training and performance reviews.

• Control how the team collects and documents information: Your role may include cross-training your team on different aspects of the project and bringing on employees who can utilize their current experience for big data analytical tasks.

• Manage big data prospects: You will likely spend time fielding questions and concerns from executive leaders to ensure their expectations align with the project's scope.

Data project management skills

Conventional project managers possess various skills that can help their teams complete projects on time and within budget, such as resource management and communication. You use these skills and more as a data project manager, including the following:

• Big data knowledge: The necessary knowledge of analytics, mathematics, and statistics can help you determine how to best utilize the available data.

• Technical skills: Understanding the technical aspects of the project, such as data modeling, integration, analysis, and quality, is helpful when reviewing the data to ensure accuracy. 

• Collaboration frameworks: Frameworks like Kanban and Scrum help data project managers encourage collaboration and communication among team members who may work in different departments.

• Creative thinking: Creative thinking is useful when solving a problem or finding new or different ways to collect, organize, and analyze data.

• Agile: Working with data requires learning to deal with unknowns, which can affect the project's progress. Implementing Agile iterations can help you identify errors, adapt processes, and solve problems sooner rather than later. 

Read more: 11 Key Project Management Skills

Data project manager outlook and salary

According to Glassdoor, the median annual salary of a data project manager in the US is $98,670, with possible additional pay of up to $45,000 per year [1]. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the job outlook for this career is positive, as the need for project management specialists should grow 6 percent from 2022 to 2032 [2]. Demand will likely remain high since companies will continue looking for ways to maintain and improve productivity.

Data project manager career path

To pursue a career as a data project manager, you may start in an entry-level project manager position or internship to begin developing general project management skills. Then, you can consider a data project manager position and continue earning credentials through certifications or advanced degrees to qualify for senior data project management positions. Alternatively, you may transition from a related career like Scrum Master, project coordinator, and data scientist since many of the skills for these positions are useful for data project managers.

Education and training

Employees in project management specialist positions often have a bachelor’s degree in business or project management. Some schools now offer blended programs that combine project management and data science, which can help you prepare for a career as a data project manager. 

Certifications provide another path to expand your knowledge and show your commitment to potential employers. For example, the well-regarded Project Management Institute (PMI) has certifications for various roles and experience levels for project management professionals. Earning a certification from PMI or another reputable organization may help you qualify for data project management positions.

Read more: 10 PMI Certifications to Level Up Your Project Management Career

Getting started with Coursera

As the use of data becomes more prevalent in businesses, organizations are looking for candidates with technical experience to help them better understand how to collect and use it. Data project managers oversee the systems and processes companies implement to leverage this data.

To explore the knowledge and skills you need to pursue a role as a data project manager, check out Google’s data analytics and project management Professional Certificates on Coursera. Industry leaders teach these programs to help learners gain in-demand skills for an entry-level role. Upon completing either certificate, gain a shareable Professional Certificate to include in your resume, CV, or LinkedIn profile.

professional certificate

Google Project Management:

Get on the fast track to a career in project management. In this certificate program, you’ll learn in-demand skills, and get AI training from Google experts. Learn at your own pace, no degree or experience required.

4.8

(114,269 ratings)

1,910,272 already enrolled

Beginner level

Learn More

Average time: 6 month(s)

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll build:

Project Management, Change Management, Strategic Thinking, Career Development, Organizational Culture, Risk Management, Quality Management, Project Execution, Agile Management, Problem Solving, Coaching, Scrum, Influencing, Effective Communication, Stakeholder Management, Business Writing, Project Charter, Procurement, Task Estimation, Project Planning