Project Coordinator Job Description, Duties & Info. (2024)

Prepare documents for contracts and specifications of the projects as well as bids from suppliers and contractors.
Monitor deadlines, budget, expenses, meetings dates, and other events related to the project through databases or spreadsheets.
Prepare documents, files, invoices, and contracts for quick access.
Collect reports, applications, and other documents for filing or submission.
Schedule and organize meetings.
Find contractors and subcontractors for particular tasks.
Delegate and assign tasks and work orders.
Monitor the work of contractors and subcontractors.
Manage administrative work, such as bookkeeping, billing, resupplying the office or construction sites.

Essential Skills

Organization:

Project coordinator should be extremely organized.

This is an essential skill for the preparation of data for quick access.

Organizational skills allow the project coordinators to keep up with deadlines, schedule meetings, and fulfill milestones in the project.

Communication:

Project coordinators should be able to listen to directions, solutions, and questions from other people working on the project.

They also should be able to successfully pass the information specs, schedules, and deadlines of the project.

Computer:

Since project coordinators deal with plenty of scheduling, monitoring, and tracking data, budgets, deadlines etc., they use databases, spreadsheets, billing software.

They should also know how to work with word processing software, emailing, scanning documents, etc.

How to Become a Project Coordinator

Employers tend to hire project coordinators proficient in their specific industry.

You can gain the necessary experience and skills through training and work in particular sectors.

Experience in the clerical or administrative area is also essential for project coordinators.

Education and Qualifications

Usually, a high school diploma is enough for the candidates to start as a project coordinator.

However, based on the industry and employer’s requirements, the applicants can be expected to have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.

It is also necessary to attend classes related to a specific industry.

For example, project coordinators in the IT area should have a background in computer science, information technology, software design, computer or digital networks, data communications.

Project coordinators in construction should have taken some courses in construction or particular sectors of it such as plumbing, framing, or electrical as a minimum.

Some educational facilities offer courses related to construction.

The curriculum can involve reading blueprints, building codes, permitting of projects, occupational safety laws, etc.

Working Experience

The experience necessary to start a job as a project coordinator depends on the industry.

Those who apply for a position in construction are expected to have previous experience in the construction industry.

Individuals who have experience working with architects, builders, general contractors, specialty contractors, engineers or building inspectors have better chances for nailing the job in construction.

In the IT area, project coordinators should have past experience with software developers, designers, IT and computer systems firms.

Work Hours

The schedule of a project coordinator is usually full-time with normal business hours.

The workday will depend on a particular firm or company.

For example, in educational facilities, a typical workday lasts from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Project coordinators in construction may have to work in the evenings or on weekends.

Some contractors, for instance, those who are involved in public infrastructure, may work at night to avoid busy rush hours.

Coordinators may have to be on call at these hours to address issues occurring on the worksite or personnel shortage.

Even though project coordinators normally work in an office, they may be required to travel to worksites or other offices of the employer.

Career Opportunities and Outlook

In 2014, there were about 934,000 jobs available in the Business Operations Specialists, All Others category, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

This category comprises project coordinators as well.

By 2015, the number of jobs increased to 962,610.

Depending on the industry in which a project coordinator works, the job opportunities and advances may differ.

In construction, the demand for project coordinators is determined by the need for building projects.

For instance, according to Electrical Contractor Magazine, there were projections for $505 billion worth of needed upgrades in gas and oil infrastructure by the year 2024.

This leads to a growing demand for apartments and other types of residences, approximately 440,000 by 2024.

Therefore, project coordinators can get employed in residential and commercial construction areas.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that as of May 2015, the average salary of business operation specialists was $73,480.

The salary of the top 10% amounted to $115,990 annually.

One in four experts made more than $90,580.

Conclusion

Project coordinators are responsible for keeping the operation of the project smooth applying math, computer, organizational, and communication skills.

Many contractors and other professionals delegate such tasks as billing, payment of invoices, documents preparation, and submission to project coordinators.

They also deal with vendors and permitting authorities and schedule meetings and assignments.

Available job openings for project coordinators depend on demand for upgrades and improvement of infrastructure, for example, in such industries as gas and oil.

With economic development, more job opportunities in residential and commercial sectors appear.

The Work of a Project Coordinator

Job Responsibilities