Project Assistant vs. Project Coordinator: What Are the Differences?

A project assistant and project coordinator are both important positions within a company. They work together to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget. While a project assistant may be responsible for assisting with the day-to-day tasks of a project, a project coordinator typically has more experience and is responsible for overseeing the entire project. In this article, we compare and contrast the job duties, skills and experience of a project assistant and project coordinator.

What is a Project Assistant?

Project Assistants provide administrative and clerical support to Project Managers and other members of a project team. They are responsible for maintaining project documentation, scheduling meetings and appointments, preparing correspondence, and handling a variety of other administrative tasks. Project Assistants also play a key role in maintaining communication between the project team and other stakeholders. They may also be responsible for tracking project milestones and deliverables, and preparing reports on project progress. In some cases, Project Assistants may also be responsible for providing support during project implementation and closeout.

What is a Project Coordinator?

Project Coordinators are responsible for assisting Project Managers in the planning, execution and completion of projects. They work closely with the Project Manager to develop project timelines, track project milestones and ensure that all project deliverables are met. Project Coordinators also work with team members to assign tasks, monitor progress and resolve any issues that arise. They may also be responsible for preparing project reports and presentations, as well as conducting post-project evaluations. Project Coordinators play a vital role in ensuring that projects are completed on time, within budget and to the client’s satisfaction.

Project Assistant vs. Project Coordinator

Here are the main differences between a project assistant and a project coordinator.

Job Duties

Project assistants typically have more varied job duties than project coordinators. They might take on administrative tasks, such as managing the budget and scheduling meetings with stakeholders. They also might help the project manager by researching information that’s needed for the project or providing research assistance to the team.

In contrast, project coordinators usually have very specific job duties related to coordinating the day-to-day activities of the project. They might monitor the progress of the team members and provide feedback to ensure that deadlines are met. They might also act as a communication channel between the project manager, team members and stakeholders.

Job Requirements

Project assistants and coordinators typically need at least a bachelor’s degree to enter the field. However, some employers may prefer candidates with a master’s degree or higher. Additionally, project assistants and coordinators often pursue certifications through organizations like the Project Management Institute (PMI) to improve their job prospects. These certifications demonstrate that professionals have the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their roles.

Work Environment

Project assistants and project coordinators typically work in similar environments, but the type of environment they work in depends on their employer. For example, a project assistant might work for an architecture firm or construction company where they assist with projects related to those industries. A project coordinator might work for a large corporation that has many different departments, such as human resources or IT. They may also work for a small business that needs help managing projects.

Skills

Both project assistants and coordinators need to have excellent organizational skills to juggle multiple tasks at one time. They also both need to be able to communicate effectively, as they will often be working with a team of people to complete a project.

Project assistants typically provide administrative support to project managers. This can involve tasks such as scheduling meetings, taking minutes, preparing reports and maintaining project documentation. Because they are often the first point of contact for a project manager, they also need to have customer service skills to deal with inquiries from team members and other stakeholders.

Project coordinators tend to have more responsibility than project assistants. In addition to providing administrative support, they may also be responsible for developing project plans, coordinating resources and managing budgets. They need to be able to think strategically to identify potential risks and issues that could impact a project and develop contingency plans.

Salary

Project assistants earn an average salary of $53,212 per year, while project coordinators earn an average salary of $58,126 per year. The average salary for both positions may vary depending on the size of the company, the location of the job and the level of experience the employee has prior to taking the job.