Project management jobs in Michigan are on the rise, so in this article, I will share lots of project management advice on the job market. If you are new to project management or a seasoned professional, you will find valuable management information and insights to help you lead successful projects and achieve your professional goals.
Project Management Jobs:
During a quick search on any recruiter’s website, you will find hundreds of project management jobs in Michigan. Michigan’s economy is heavily based on manufacturing, automotive, engineering, and health care, and because of this, Michigan ranks at the top of the country in project manager jobs. These industries have boosted this part of the country, as many people are taking advantage of these available project management jobs in Michigan.
What do project managers do?
Project managers are responsible for organizing, planning, and overseeing projects from start to finish. They ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the organization’s satisfaction. Below, I list some specific responsibilities of the project manager job description:
- Developing project plans and schedules.
- Identifying and managing project risks.
- Allocating project resources (e.g., people, equipment, funding).
- Communicating with project team members.
- Tracking and reporting on project progress.
- Making decisions to keep the project on track.
- Managing project team members and contractors.
- Ensuring that the project delivers the desired results.
- Close the project.
Project managers may work in various industries, such as construction, manufacturing, and engineering, and can be found in private or public sector companies.
What is program management vs. project management?
Program management and project management are essential practices for ensuring that projects are correctly done, on time, and within budget constraints. However, I list some critical differences between management types below:
- Program management – This is the coordination and oversight of multiple related projects, often intending to achieve a larger organizational objective. Program managers are responsible for aligning project objectives, managing interdependencies among projects, and making strategic decisions that impact the entire program.
- Project management – This is the process of planning, organizing, and overseeing a single, specific project. Project managers are responsible for developing project plans, allocating resources, tracking progress, managing tasks, and making decisions to keep one particular project on track.
In summary, program management is a higher level of management th
Types of project management jobs in Michigan:
- Senior Project Manager
- Project Manager
- Assistant Project Manager
- Product Manager
- Technical Project Manager
- Program Manager
Did you know?
What are project management styles?
Before starting any job search, it is important to understand the type of project manager you are or will become. Below are the four types of management styles.
- Visionary Management Style – This management style is very goal-oriented, which inspires trust between co-workers as they are also very flexible when difficulties present themselves. This person is very intelligent and inspires others with their long-term approach to the business.
- Democratic Management Style – This manager likes to collect feedback from their team and encourages debate while allowing everyone to speak. This person is a phenomenal communicator and has an open mind for decision-making.
- Coaching Management Style – This management style shows they care about the success not just of the project but of the individual team members, as they are always willing to share experiences or advice. This person is a great listener and has built trust with their team while having strong problem-solving skills.
- Laissez-Faire Management Style – This manager is extremely hands-off and encourages their team to take the initiative in the direction of a project. This person trusts their team members and has great conflict management skills.
Do project managers need a degree?
A project manager job description will likely require a college degree in management or several years of experience within your applied industrial sector. For those jobs that require an education in management, many colleges and universities in the state of Michigan offer degrees in project or program management, and some provide online learning.
Project management universities in the state of Michigan:
Project Management Certifications:
Oftentimes, a junior project manager or an associate project manager will look to further their education through management certifications. Below, I list great places to get program management certifications if a person wants to further their management education or get a job in a management field.
- Program Management Professional (PgMP)
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- Project Management Institute (PMI)
- Project Management eLearning Courses
- International Project Management Association (IMPA)
Four Basic Functions Of Management:
Below, I describe the four basic functions all project managers should understand.
- Planning – You must plan when to complete tasks and objectives to meet deadlines and the project budget targets. This means it is critical to understand the project scope and the supply chain around the project.
- Organizing – It is necessary to organize and schedule the tasks in a way so each team member on the project is continually making progress within their individually assigned projects.
- Leading – You should be confident with your communication skills and support the technical skills of your team members, so they feel a sense of direction with your leadership.
- Controlling – You must always have control of your team and monitor all phases of the project while ensuring you stay on time and within budget.
Project Managers Responsibilities:
If you’re interested in getting a project manager job in Michigan, you need to be prepared for the fact that you will have to be responsible for any project tasks. While some project managers are involved with just one project, many manage multiple projects. You’ll be required to handle numerous responsibilities if you want to have a successful career in your field.
Depending upon the industrial sector, you will acquire different management responsibilities tasks from managing installations, new product development, or general day-to-day operations. A project manager will work with any team member throughout the organization that can help complete project tasks.
Remote Project Manager Job Opportunities:
The landscape of project management has evolved significantly, with remote project manager positions becoming increasingly more common. This shift offers professionals the flexibility to manage projects from various locations, eliminating the necessity for a centralized office environment. As of January 2025, in Michigan alone, there are over 25 remote project manager roles available on Indeed.
Benefits of Remote Project Management:
The rise of remote work has introduced several advantages for companies, such as:
- Flexibility: Ability to work from any location, accommodating diverse lifestyles, personal commitments, and greater work-life balance.
- Broader Opportunities: Access to a wider range of projects and organizations without geographical constraints can lead to greater knowledge within a company.
- Diverse Teams: Opportunity to collaborate with professionals from various work experiences and customers can improve project outcomes.
Challenges of Remote Project Management:
While remote project management offers some flexibility, as listed above, it also presents its own unique challenges that include:
- Communication Barriers: Ensuring clear and consistent communication across different time zones and cultures can be difficult, especially when trying to coordinate meeting availability.
- Technological Dependence: Reliance on people know how to use digital tools and platforms for collaboration and project monitoring.
- Team Cohesion: Building and maintaining team morale without face-to-face interactions can be difficult over time.
To navigate these challenges, remote project managers should leverage effective communication tools, establish clear protocols, to help foster a collaborative team culture. With the right people skills and digital tools, remote project managers can lead successful projects and contribute significantly to the organizations they work for.
Applying for project management jobs.
Below, I list things to consider and prepare before you apply for project management jobs in Michigan.
- Qualified applicants should understand what type of management position the company is looking to fill. If you have a background in engineering, choose a job that deals with manufacturing. If your experience is in finance or healthcare, you might be more suited to those fields.
- Decide on what area of the project you would like to be involved with that piques your interest. Do you want to be involved inter-company in the early stages of a project, or be customer-facing towards the end of the project, or perhaps both intrigue you?
- Do you want to manage projects or people? Many project management jobs look for project oversight or someone to lead a project, while others need you to manage people and projects.
Top Project Management Companies in Michigan:
How to get a project management job in Michigan?
The Internet is an excellent resource for information about the companies listed above. It’s always a good idea to check out the company’s website that posted the project manager job opening. It is essential to read up on the company’s background to understand what the organization can offer you on a financial and personal growth basis.
Research the company’s profile before applying because a project manager job will be tasked differently at integration, automotive, or manufacturing companies compared to healthcare or financial companies. Be critical of your current search criteria because you should find something that challenges you mentally and that you also enjoy doing every day.
What are the four key factors that make a great project manager?
If a project engineer can lead with these four key factors, they will become a great project manager. Highly successful project managers will have these four leadership characteristics:
- Ability To Multitask: They must be able to think and work on multiple minor projects at once while staying focused on the main project goals.
- Highly Motivated: A project engineer must be energetic and motivated to perform and fix issues when things on the project go wrong.
- Detail-Oriented: This person will be responsible for project organizing, documentation control, and coordinating project timelines.
- Communicate Effectively: They must have a great ability to communicate with their team members and clients effectively.
What are the daily tasks of a project manager?
A project manager will work on many different tasks throughout the day that include these responsibilities:
- Complete tasks within the budget and in correlation to the overall project timeline.
- Collaborate with engineers, managers, contractors, and others to develop the project scope and plans.
- Review drawings and prints to ensure compliance with codes and project requirements.
- Track the progress and provide regular project updates to management.
- Inspect work onsite and address any project issues or concerns.
- Support launch preparation with project scope, budget, and scheduling.
- Utilize project management software for project documentation and tracking.
- Understand processes and procedures within the specific industry.
If you are a dedicated management professional who is looking to build a career as a project consultant, contact JOINER Services to help you find more work in the management industry.
How much do project managers make in Michigan?
Once one achieves either a degree in management or gains the required work experience, one will be able to show your future employer that one can be a successful project manager and is expected to be paid an average salary of around $77,000 in the state of Michigan.
Contractors and hourly employees often earn more because of overtime, and the type of projects they work on that require more than 40 hours a week. A senior manager or someone with certification is likely to earn more than an entry-level employee without those skills.
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What is the average salary range for project management jobs in Michigan?
A variety of people want to get into the field of project management. Many of these project management jobs require a high level of responsibility but also allow for a more considerable salary potential because of the accountability necessary to be in this type of position. You also have a terrific opportunity to work in various sectors, which provides opportunities to grow your career.
Below is a diagram that shows some featured jobs projected salary ranges for each sector of business.
A career in project management.
There are numerous project manager jobs available in Michigan, and you can choose one that suits you best. If you want to go into project management quickly, the best way is with a four-year bachelor’s degree in a specific industrial sector. This title can be held for those who still need to receive a degree in management but have gained management experience through years of working within the industry.
As you have read, many project manager jobs are available in Michigan, but it is up to each individual to determine which sector you enjoy working in. If you consider going down the road of self-employment, look to engineering services platforms like JOINER Services, which will highlight your individual talents and put them on showcase to all business industries within the state of Michigan and around the United States.
Overview of project manager jobs in Michigan.
In conclusion, program management jobs in Michigan are extremely abundant. You can attend one of many colleges and universities to get a degree in this field. There are also a lot of certificates you can obtain through different accredited programs around the United States. The industries to get a job range from healthcare to finance to manufacturing, so finding a job in the state is not too difficult.
You learned that the average salary can be drastically different depending on the specific industry. With the vast amount of manufacturing in the state, plenty of jobs are available for project or program managers. If you want to build your career as a project consultant, contact JOINER Services to help you find more work in the management industry.
Project manager jobs with JOINER Services.
Find your next job as a contract project manager using JOINER Services. Using their platform people who have experience in management find contract jobs at a click of a button. Self-employed project managers can now find jobs easier when their current client base does not need support.
Join now to find your next project management job!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Below, I list some FAQs that are asked about project manager jobs.
