How To Write a Senior Project Manager Resume
Your resume serves as a gateway to new opportunities by showcasing your skills such as leading projects and teams, along with building solid client relationships. The resume also shows your achievements and potential to employers. This guide provides examples and advice on writing a great senior project manager resume. You’ll learn how to craft a clear, concise document that shows you can handle complexity, build stakeholder relationships, and drive organizational success.
1. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your qualifications
Your profile is employers’ first glimpse of your strengths as a senior project manager. Keep this paragraph brief, ideally just two or three sentences. Avoid jargon, but incorporate keywords related to your industry, project management methods, and the specific role you’re pursuing.
A great way to start your profile is by citing the number of years you’ve been in project management. Grab the hiring manager’s attention with a notable statistic or achievement that shows your impact as a senior project manager. Emphasize your ability to lead cross-functional teams, mitigate risks, and drive project success at all stages. Remember, the goal of your profile is to convince hiring managers of your eligibility and entice them to read the rest of your resume.
Entry-Level Profile Example:
Diligent senior project manager with over eight years experience managing construction projects and two years in a senior role. Organized and efficient, with demonstrated success managing complex projects. Confident leader who cultivates talent and holds team members accountable for prompt task delivery.
Senior-Level Profile Example:
Senior project manager with over 13 years of experience focused on serving business-to-business (B2B) clients. Expertly schedule, budget, and staff each project to meet/exceed all expectations. Build positive relations with client representatives, clarifying and relaying their needs to the project team. Master in Project Management from Raleigh Business University.
2. Add a detailed professional experience section
Use the professional experience section to show your record of success and your impact in past roles. Senior project managers are expected to deliver results, so quantify your achievements wherever possible. Include the number of team members you led, how you streamlined a process to reduce operational costs, or when you surpassed a target by a certain percentage. With this strategy, your professional experience section can capture your strengths as a senior project manager.
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example:
Senior Project Manager, Big-D Signature, Park City, UT | March 2019 to present
- Lead large teams to oversee construction projects, completing 100% of deliverables on or ahead of deadline in 2020
- Identify risks to project timelines, and set all necessary contingency plans
- Contribute to proposals and hold fact-finding meetings to create project management plans based on each client’s needs
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example:
Senior Project Manager, CCC Social Outreach, Raleigh, NC | December 2011 to present
- Oversee social media overhauls, targeted ad campaigns, and other projects for B2B clients
- Work with and supervise web developers, copywriters, and graphic designers to set ambitious yet attainable goals
- Build detailed schedules and budget projections
3. Include relevant education and certifications
Emphasize your formal training and knowledge base by including relevant degrees and certifications. This information supports your career progression and increases your appeal to hiring managers. List the title, school, location, and graduation date, starting with your highest degree.
Include a certification section to show your specialized expertise and commitment to staying current in the field. Employers value certifications as they prove your proficiency in project management methodologies (e.g., Waterfall, Agile, Scrum) and other essential skills. Format this section similarly, providing the certificate name, issuing organization, and date received.
Education
Template:
[Degree Name]
[School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Year]
Example:
BBA in Management Information Systems
Florida International University, Miami, FL | 2010
Certifications
Template:
[Certification Name], [Awarding Organization] | [Completion Year]
Example:
Project Management Professional, PMI | 2021
4. List key skills and proficiencies
Add a key skills section to show the various ways you can help plan and execute complex projects. Below are examples of skills to consider for this section.
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Agile and waterfall methodologies | Complex problem-solving |
| Conflict resolution | Contract negotiation |
| Cross-functional team leadership | Data analysis |
| Financial management | Performance monitoring |
| Process improvement | Project planning |
| Quality assurance | Resource allocation and optimization |
| Risk assessment and mitigation | Scope definition |
| Stakeholder management | Strategic planning |
| Supply chain management | Time management |
| Vendor management | Work scheduling |
How To Pick the Best Senior Project Manager Resume Template
The purpose of a resume template is to display your qualifications in a visually appealing manner. It provides a cohesive style and solid framework for your writing. The best resume template for a senior project manager is clean and organized. While having an eye-catching design is important, don’t let that compromise your document’s readability or professionalism. Ensure your template has plenty of white space and uses classic fonts to make it easy for employers to navigate.
Senior Project Manager Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
Years of Experience
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
Cecelia Bonner
(890) 123-4567
[email protected]
210 Main Road, Park City, UT 32109
Profile
Diligent Senior Project Manager with 8+ years’ experience managing construction projects and 2 years in a senior role. Organized and efficient, with demonstrated success managing complex simultaneous projects. Confident leader who cultivates talent and holds team members accountable for prompt task delivery.
Key Skills
- Budget management
- Contract negotiation
- Mentorship and training
- Project scheduling
- Risk management
- Team motivation
Education
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Construction Management, Utah State University, Logan, UT | 2012
Professional Experience
Senior Project Manager, Big-D Signature, Park City, UT | March 2019 to Present
- Lead large teams to oversee construction projects, completing 100% of deliverables on or ahead of deadline in 2020
- Identify risks to project timelines, and set all necessary contingency plans
- Contribute to proposals and hold fact-finding meetings to create project management plans based on each client’s needs
Highlight:
- Negotiated new contractor rates that cut total spending by 30%+ in 2 years
Project Manager, Bridgewater Consulting Group, Park City, UT | July 2012 to March 2019
- Helped senior management team set and review project schedules
- Collaborated on solutions to complex issues threatening timely project delivery
- Provided attentive and professional service, answering all client queries promptly
- Served as liaison between multiple departments and contractors
Mario Acevedo
(469) 000-1234
[email protected]
876 Third Street, Unit 222, Dallas, TX 75266
Profile
Senior Project Manager with 7+ years’ experience honing processes and supporting cross-functional teams in small and midsize logistics operations. Skilled at innovating solutions and putting complex technical topics in clear terms for diverse stakeholders. Master of Business Administration.
Professional Experience
Senior Technology Project Manager – Delivery Services & CORE, Dallas Logistics, Inc., Dallas, TX | July 2016 to Present
- Executed CTO’s enterprise platform standardization initiative
- Cross-trained project managers and balanced team workloads
- Increased project billing by ~$30K while maintaining high customer satisfaction
- Led $4M warehouse management system migration project, increasing inventory accuracy by 40%
Senior Project Manager, PTP Global Enterprises, Inc., Dallas, TX | June 2013 to August 2015
- Managed company’s core infrastructure platform
- Spearheaded post-mortem analysis of project failures and strategies to improve processes
Highlights:
- Eliminated 20 weekly work hours for a 15-person IT team
- Built retail product management system that integrated with fulfillment and inventory management systems, reducing inventory loss by 20%
Education
MBA in Project Management, The University of Texas at Dallas | 2016
BBA in Management Information Systems, Florida International University, Miami, FL | 2010
Key Skills
- Alfresco
- Basecamp
- Full Project Lifecycle
- Keynote
- Reporting & Documentation
- Technical & Non-Technical Team Collaboration
Credentials
Certified CORE Master (CCM)
Project Management Professional (PMP), Project Management Institute (PMI)
James Jameson
(555) 555-5555
[email protected]
123 Fourth Street, Raleigh, NC 12345
Profile
Senior Project Manager with 13+ years’ experience focused on serving B2B clients. Expertly schedule, budget, and staff each project to meet/exceed all expectations. Build positive relations with client representatives, clarifying and relaying their needs to the project team. Master’s Degree in Project Management from Raleigh Business University.
Professional Experience
Senior Project Manager, CCC Social Outreach, Raleigh, NC | December 2011 to Present
- Oversee social media overhauls, targeted ad campaigns, and other projects for B2B clients
- Work with and supervise web developers, copywriters, and graphic designers to set ambitious yet attainable goals
- Build detailed schedules and budget projections
Assistant Project Manager, ABC Digital Marketers, Raleigh, NC | July 2006 to November 2011
- Supported senior project managers by reviewing schedules and budgets and communicating with stakeholders as needed
- Served as quality-control agent on end products, including web graphics and marketing copy
- Ensured accurate logging of employees’ time and milestone completion dates
Education
Master of Project Management, Raleigh Business University, Raleigh, NC
Bachelor of Operations Management, Raleigh Institute of Business, Raleigh, NC
Key Skills
- Budgeting & Cost Accounting
- Client Relations
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Process Streamlining
- Project Scoping & Planning
- Targeted Resource Allocation
Certifications
Project Management Professional, PMI | 2021
SmartSheet Certified Scheduler | 2020
Frequently Asked Questions: Senior Project Manager Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for senior project manager resumes?+
Dynamic verbs can vividly express your talent for driving complex or large-scale projects. Consider using some of the verbs below to add depth and clarity to your job descriptions.
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Anticipated | Appraised |
| Budgeted | Capitalized |
| Created | Controlled |
| Delegated | Directed |
| Facilitated | Improved |
| Leveraged | Managed |
| Mitigated | Monitored |
| Negotiated | Organized |
| Oversaw | Prevented |
| Prioritized | Promoted |
| Raised | Ranked |
| Streamlined | Supervised |
| Tracked | Trained |
| Won | |
How do you align your resume with a senior project manager job posting?+
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, project management employment is projected to increase by 7% between 2021 and 2031.
Customizing your resume to each job application increases your chances of standing out as a perfect fit for the role. Thoroughly review the senior project manager job description, paying close attention to the skills, qualifications, and duties mentioned. Note the keywords and phrases the employer uses, and incorporate them into your resume where possible. If the job opening is in a specific industry, tailor your resume to feature your experience and expertise in that industry.
What is the best senior project manager resume format?+
Most senior project managers should use the combination (or hybrid) format. True to its name, this format combines important features of other resume formats: the chronological format’s professional experience section and the functional format’s profile section.
A combination resume offers the best of both worlds by fusing these two sections. It gives most employers an overview of your recent work history – essential information. But it also lets you highlight your top strengths and qualifications in the profile, countering any employment gaps and positioning you effectively for your target job.
Expert advice: include a cover letter with your resume
A compelling cover letter boosts your chances of an interview during your job search. Customizing your letter for the role you’re applying for is the key to standing out in the crowd. Our comprehensive cover letter guide offers valuable insights on this method. For more cover letter examples and ideas, see our guides for operations managers and project managers.
