Project Manager job description template

LiveRec EditorialUpdated

US format for the project manager job description, federal rules as of 30 Oct 2026. State and local rules vary.

A project manager plans work, coordinates people and delivers a defined result on time and within budget. A clear posting names the kind of projects, their typical size and length, the methods used, the stakeholders, and whether the manager has authority over the team or coordinates without it.

At a glance

  • Describe two or three real recent projects and their scale.
  • Say whether PMP or another certificate is required or only valued.
  • Clarify decision authority: budget, scope and people.

Template

Project Manager
[COMPANY] | [CITY, STATE or Remote] | [Full-time / Part-time / Contract]

PAY: $[MIN] to $[MAX] per [hour / year]. Benefits: [LIST].

SUMMARY
A project manager plans work, coordinates people and delivers a defined result on time and within budget. At [COMPANY] you will [OUTCOME FOR THE FIRST YEAR] and report to [TITLE].

RESPONSIBILITIES
- Define scope, schedule, budget and success measures with [SPONSOR]
- Break work into tasks and assign owners in [TOOL]
- Run status meetings and keep stakeholders informed
- Track risks and issues and decide on mitigation
- Manage change requests and vendor contracts if relevant
- Report progress against plan to [LEADERSHIP]
- Close projects with lessons learned

REQUIREMENTS
- [N] years managing projects of [SIZE / BUDGET]
- Experience with [WATERFALL / AGILE / HYBRID] delivery
- Skill in schedule, budget and risk tracking
- Clear communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Proficiency with [PROJECT TOOL]

NICE TO HAVE
- PMP, PRINCE2 or agile certification
- Experience in [INDUSTRY]
- Experience with vendor management

HOW WE HIRE
[Interview rounds, any test, timeline. Say that applicants never pay a fee.]

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
[COMPANY] considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected status. To request an adjustment, contact [EMAIL].

Duties and skills follow the O*NET OnLine summary for Project Management Specialists (13-1082.00), the US Department of Labor's occupational database.

How to customize it

  • Certification: if you require PMP, say why. Experience delivering similar projects often predicts more.
  • Agile roles: a scrum master and a project manager are different jobs; do not mix titles.
  • Authority: candidates ask "can I decide scope and priorities?" Answer in the posting.
  • Exempt status depends on duties and salary level; confirm with FLSA guidance.
  • Level: delete the junior or senior wording that does not apply, and cut every requirement you would not screen for.
  • Pay: enter your own approved range. Several states require a range in the posting; see pay transparency laws.

How to post it on LiveRec

  1. Open Jobs and choose Post a job.
  2. Choose Use a template or a previous job, Describe it with AI, or Create a new job from scratch.
  3. Paste the summary, responsibilities and requirements into the Description step, then complete the screening and assessment steps.
  4. Use Preview posting to see what candidates see, then choose Post job.

Steps and limits are in Post a job on LiveRec. When the applicants arrive, use the project manager interview questions.

FAQ

Project manager or program manager? A project manager delivers one defined project. A program manager coordinates several related projects toward a shared goal.

Is PMP necessary? Not by default. Require it only if your clients or contracts do, and otherwise list it as preferred.

Next step

Fill the placeholders, check the finished text against how to write a job description, and post it. Build a scorecard from the requirements list.

Sources

  • O*NET OnLine, 13-1082.00 Project Management Specialists: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/13-1082.00
  • EEOC, Prohibited Employment Policies/Practices: https://www.eeoc.gov/prohibited-employment-policies-practices
  • US DOL Wage and Hour Division, FLSA: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/flsa

This is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change and your situation may differ. Consult a licensed attorney or qualified adviser.