Project Associate vs. Project Manager: What Are the Differences?

A project associate and project manager are two common positions in the business world. Both roles are responsible for ensuring the successful completion of a project, but there are key differences in the scope of their work. In this article, we compare and contrast the job duties, skills and experience of a project associate and project manager. We also provide information on salaries and job outlooks for each position.

What is a Project Associate?

A Project Associate is responsible for providing administrative and project support to a team of project managers. They create and maintain project documentation, track project milestones and deadlines, and communicate project updates to stakeholders. They also coordinate project resources and manage vendor relationships. In some cases, Project Associates may also be responsible for leading small projects or project tasks. To be successful in this role, Project Associates must be highly organized, detail-oriented and able to work well under pressure. Strong written and verbal communication skills are also essential.

What is a Project Manager?

Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing and monitoring projects from start to finish. They work with a team of employees to ensure that all project deadlines are met and that the project stays within budget. Project Managers also create reports detailing the project’s progress and present them to upper management. They may be responsible for hiring and firing employees on the project team. Project Managers typically have a background in project management, business or a related field.

Project Associate vs. Project Manager

Here are the main differences between a project associate and a project manager.

Job Duties

A project associate carries out the day-to-day tasks necessary to complete a project. They may research, contact clients and stakeholders and manage teams of employees. In contrast, project managers oversee the entire project life cycle, from planning through completion. They determine the budget, set goals and create schedules. They also communicate with clients and stakeholders and report progress to other members of the team.

The duties of a project associate typically change throughout the life of a project, as they take on new responsibilities as the project progresses. For example, a project associate who manages client contacts may not have that role at the beginning of the project. Conversely, the job duties of a project manager tend to remain the same throughout the life of a project. While they may take on additional responsibilities as a project grows, their main roles of creating and monitoring plans usually remain constant.

Job Requirements

Project associates typically need a bachelor’s degree in business administration, project management or another related field. Some employers prefer candidates to have a master’s degree as well, but it is not required for entry-level positions. Additionally, many project associates pursue certifications through the Project Management Institute (PMI). This organization offers training programs that teach professionals how to use project management software and other tools they might need on the job.

Project managers typically need a bachelor’s degree in business administration, project management or another related field. Some employers prefer candidates to have a master’s degree as well, but it is not required for entry-level positions. Additionally, many project managers pursue certifications through the Project Management Institute (PMI). This organization offers training programs that teach professionals how to use project management software and other tools they might need on the job.

Work Environment

Project managers typically work in an office setting, but they may also travel to meet with clients or attend meetings. They often spend their days working on a computer and communicating with team members via email, phone calls or text messages. Project managers can work long hours during the course of a project, especially if there are many deadlines or tight schedules.

Project associates usually work in an office environment as well, but they don’t have the same level of responsibility as project managers. This means that they typically work fewer hours each day and have more flexibility in their schedule. However, depending on the company, project associates may still need to work overtime or weekends to complete projects.

Skills

The similarities in specific skills used on the job between Project Associate vs. Project Manager include: -Both roles require excellent communication skills -Both roles require the ability to multitask and manage multiple deadlines -Both roles require strong organizational skills -Both roles require the ability to work well under pressure

The differences in specific skills used on the job between Project Associate vs. Project Manager include: -Project Associates typically need more technical skills than Project Managers -Project Managers typically need more leadership and management skills than Project Associates -Project Associates typically work more closely with individual team members, while Project Managers typically work more with teams as a whole

Salary

Project associates can earn an average salary of $61,055 per year, while project managers can earn an average salary of $87,628 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 you have prior to pursuing either position.