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.
Types of project management jobs in Michigan:
- Senior Project Manager
- Project Manager
- Assistant Project Manager
- Product Manager
- Technical Project Manager
- Program Manager
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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.
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.
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.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Below, I list some FAQs that are asked about project manager jobs.
What is project management?
Project management is the process of organizing, planning, and completing tasks, which sometimes includes overseeing the workload of the whole team to achieve a specific project plan. This includes managing project constraints, the scope of work, the timeline, project cost, quality control, and the project’s resources. The goal of a project manager is to deliver a successful project that meets or exceeds expectations and is completed on time and within budget constraints.
They must apply knowledge and management techniques to complete a project according to specific requirements. Project management is broken down into three simple buckets. The first is identifying the problem. The Second is developing a plan to solve the problem, and the third is executing the plan until a solution has been resolved.
Why is project management important?
Project management is important because it helps to coordinate independent tasks and oversee multiple steps within a project. This allows for better alignment of project goals, efficient use of company resources, effective communication, direct timelines, and proper decision-making. Good project managers can help to identify and mitigate risks to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget. Plus, project management is critical in helping organizations achieve their strategic company goals and meet overall objectives.
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 that looks at multiple projects as a whole, while project management focuses on a singular project.
Are project management certifications worth the effort?
Professional certification from the PMI, IPMA, or other accredited sources can show your employer or future employers your capabilities in project management. Determining if certification can give you the added skill needed to build a career depends on each person’s unique professional situation and personal career goals. Often employers like having their project managers with at least one type of management certification, but many job opportunities will be free of certification requirements.
If you want to improve your annual management salary, then certification may be something you would be interested in attaining. According to sites like Payscale, they see a median income increase for those who have completed program management professional certifications.
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.
