Learn more about what it takes to become a project coordinator.
Within the broader scope of project management, a project coordinator organizes and manages the various parts of a project to ensure its success. This includes assigning and monitoring daily tasks and communication, as well as creating reports and updates for the project manager and other members of management. A project coordinator serves an essential role in effective project management.
Learn more about what project coordinators do and the important skills you'll need to develop to succeed in this career. Afterward, consider building many of those skills by enrolling in the Google Project Management Professional Certificate.
professional certificate
Launch your career in Human Resources. In this program, you’ll learn in-demand skills for a career as an Human Resource Associate. No degree or prior experience needed. Coursera's 2024 Learners First Award Winner.
4.8
(1,981 ratings)
84,366 already enrolled
Beginner level
Average time: 5 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Employee Relations, Training development, Performance Management, Recruitment, Compliance strategy, Benefit types, Compensation strategy, Pay systems, Total rewards, Business Continuity, Employee Engagement, Learning Delivery Methods, Effective Training, Training Needs, Learning Models, Legal Compliance, Risk Management, Safety Compliance, Compliance Implementation, Employee Onboarding, Job Analysis, interviewing
In most cases, project coordinators (sometimes called assistant project managers) assist project managers with specific administrative tasks related to their assigned projects. They organize and communicate all the details of projects and specific assignments to team members and serve as a liaison between those team members and the project manager.
Project coordinators for companies in different business sectors can expect to handle a number of tasks that are specific to their companies. But many of the key responsibilities are the same.
Monitoring the daily progress of projects
Providing detailed updates to project managers or other stakeholders
Ensuring team members have the supplies and resources they need to complete their assigned tasks on time and within their budget limits
Organizing reports, invoices, contracts, and other financial files for easy access
Planning meetings and organizing project logistics
Performing billing and bookkeeping tasks
Ordering necessary office supplies
A project coordinator handles administrative tasks for the project manager and team members to keep the project running smoothly. This may include ordering equipment and supplies, managing deadlines and workflow, and scheduling meetings and appointments.
While a project coordinator carries out the necessary daily tasks to keep a project on track, a project manager develops the full outline for the project. This extends from the initial goal setting and planning phases all the way through to project completion and delivery to the client. This includes establishing budgets, estimating necessary resources, and plotting a timeline for completion. In some cases, project coordinators may move into project manager positions.
Learn more: Becoming a Project Manager: 6 Steps
Regardless of the variations in projects across different industries, certain skills are essential for almost anyone working in project management. As critical members of project teams, project coordinators typically have the following skills:
Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential to work closely with team members and managers, and effectively manage problems as they occur. You may also need to build presentations to communicate with stakeholders, so visual communication skills can be beneficial.
Leadership: As the primary point of contact for team members, you must be able to provide guidance, feedback, and encouragement for achieving goals. You're the leader who keeps the group connected.
Organization and time management: Managing the daily activities and needs of an entire team requires an excellent ability to multitask and effectively manage your time.
Computers and data entry: Budgets and other important documents for companies are usually created on computers and sometimes maintained in databases.
Problem-solving: Although project managers may step in to handle significant problems, you should be prepared to work through and resolve minor issues without assistance.
specialization
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
(113,593 ratings)
1,897,247 already enrolled
Beginner level
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
According to Glassdoor, project coordinators in the US make an average annual base salary of $64,349 [1]. Some companies may offer additional compensation, such as bonuses or stock, to increase that figure.
If you are highly organized with an eye for detail and have the necessary communication and people skills to motivate others, a career as a project coordinator could be the right choice for you. Project coordinators can be found in a range of industries, including engineering, health care, technology, financial, legal, and construction. Well-known companies like Amazon and Medtronic hire project coordinators.
Getting a job as a project coordinator can also be a first step toward a career in project management. Some project coordinators go on to become project managers, program managers, or portfolio managers.
In general, landing a job as a project coordinator often requires at least a high school diploma and sometimes a bachelor's degree or technical certification.
Formal education is often an expectation in this career path. According to Zippia, 66.1 percent of project coordinators hold a bachelor's degree [2]. Common majors include business and communications.
Although you may not always need a degree to get started in this line of work, you may find a college diploma increasingly important as you seek advancement.
Project coordinators require a combination of technical and workplace skills to succeed. You can get an idea about what skills employers most want by looking at job descriptions. Take note of the required skills in different job postings and reflect on your skill set. What areas would be valuable to strengthen? Are there any skills you need to develop?
Project coordinators often need to be comfortable using a variety of project management tools, including those for productivity, issue tracking, and communication. Some common tools include:
Scheduling tools like Gantt charts, timelines, and calendars
Collaboration tools like file sharing, messaging, and discussion boards
Integrations with apps and platforms that your company already uses
Reports that provide the project status in one dashboard
Budget tracking tools
Time trackers or integrations with commonly used time trackers
Acquiring a professional certification in project management can also show prospective employers that you have the necessary skills for the role. The Project Management Institute offers the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, one of the most recognized certifications in the country.
Read more: How to Become a Project Manager in 5 Steps
Build job-ready skills for an entry-level role in project management with the Google Project Management Professional Certificate. Over six courses, you'll gain an immersive understanding of the practices and skills needed to succeed in an entry-level project management role, such as the Agile methodology, stakeholder communications, and project documentation.
professional certificate
Launch your career in Human Resources. In this program, you’ll learn in-demand skills for a career as an Human Resource Associate. No degree or prior experience needed. Coursera's 2024 Learners First Award Winner.
4.8
(1,981 ratings)
84,366 already enrolled
Beginner level
Average time: 5 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Employee Relations, Training development, Performance Management, Recruitment, Compliance strategy, Benefit types, Compensation strategy, Pay systems, Total rewards, Business Continuity, Employee Engagement, Learning Delivery Methods, Effective Training, Training Needs, Learning Models, Legal Compliance, Risk Management, Safety Compliance, Compliance Implementation, Employee Onboarding, Job Analysis, interviewing
You might not need any project coordinator experience to get a job as a project coordinator. Many companies look for candidates with a couple of years of experience in the industry, even if it’s in an unrelated role. For example, if you want to work as a project coordinator in the cybersecurity industry, you may start out as a cybersecurity analyst.
There are a number of project management tools you may find helpful as a project coordinator. As you continue to build your skills and prepare for the job, consider building familiarity with tools like Jira, Trello, Slack, Toggl, or Float. If you have a specific company you’d like to work for, take a look at their job descriptions to see what tools to focus on.
Here are a few Guided Projects you can complete in less than two hours to get you started:
Certification isn’t required for project coordinators, but earning a project management certification could enhance your resume and give you a competitive edge when applying for jobs. If you’re just starting out, consider the Google Project Management: Professional Certificate.
The COVID-19 pandemic has meant that many project teams have started working remotely, including project coordinators and project managers. While leading a virtual project team comes with its own unique set of challenges, it’s an opportunity that will likely expand in the future.
Glassdoor. "Project Coordinator Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/project-coordinator-salary-SRCH_KO0,19.htm." Accessed January 22, 2025.
Zippia. "What Is a Project Coordinator and How to Become One, https://www.zippia.com/project-coordinator-jobs/." Accessed January 22, 2025.
Editorial Team
Coursera’s editorial team is comprised of highly experienced professional editors, writers, and fact...
This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.