What is a project coordinator?
A project coordinator works under a project manager to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget. Project coordinators oversee small parts of the larger project and are primarily responsible for administrative tasks.
It’s their job to make sure the project is well-organized and that it runs smoothly. This can include communicating with various departments in the organization to make sure everyone is on the same page.
How to become a project coordinator?
You can get into this job through a university course, an apprenticeship, working towards this role, and a graduate traineeship. Getting a degree in any subject can help you get into this type of job, although business or project management may give you an advantage.
You could get into this career through a higher or degree apprenticeship in project management, lasting around 4 years.
You could train specifically to help businesses create environmentally friendly policies and practices through a sustainability business specialist degree apprenticeship.
Project coordinator duties
Project coordinator duties are diverse and depend on the employer and specialty, but some responsibilities are common to most:
- Assign tasks to internal teams and assist with schedule management
- Make sure that clients’ needs are met as projects evolve
- Maintain and monitor project plans, project schedules, work hours, budgets, and expenditures
- Delegate tasks to team members
- Ensure that projects adhere to frameworks and all documentation is maintained appropriately for each project
- Act as the point of contact and communicate project status to all participants
- Chair and facilitate meetings where appropriate and distribute minutes to all project team members
- Prepare presentations to update senior management on the project’s progress and showcase the project’s value
- Look for ways to increase the project’s profitability and reduce expenses where possible
Project coordinator skills
To be an effective project coordinator, you’ll need certain skills and competencies. The following are often cited in job vacancies:
- Ability to prepare and interpret flowcharts, schedules and step-by-step action plans
- Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Project and Microsoft Planner
- Knowledge of file management, transcription, and other administrative procedures
- Excellent time management skills
- Exceptional verbal, written, and presentation skills
- Attention to detail
How to find a project coordinator job
These jobs are advertised online, in local newspapers and at your local jobcentre. To find all the project coordinator jobs near you, you need to:
- Search for project coordinator jobs on popular job websites such as; Indeed, Total Jobs and CV Library
- Use the DWP’s Find A Job Service
- Check local newspapers and local Facebook groups, especially groups dedicated to local jobs
Project Coordinator Job Titles
When you search for project coordinator jobs online, be aware that the jobs might be advertised using a different job title. Popular job titles for project coordinator jobs include;
- Project administrator
- Project support
- Project support officer
What does a project coordinator do?
The job of a project coordinator varies depending on the job role and the company you’re working for. Check the duties and responsibilities of project coordinator job advertisements to find jobs that best suit your skills and experience.
The day-to-day tasks of a project coordinator include;
- Find out what the client or business wants to achieve
- Agree timescales, costs and resources
- Draw up a plan for each project stage
- Negotiate with contractors and suppliers
- Constantly monitor progress, quality and costs
- Constantly monitor progress, quality and costs
- Report regularly to senior managers and the client
- Use specialised software and spreadsheets to plan, cost and analyse risks