The project manager career path from entry-level to senior leadership isn’t always a straight line. It can sometimes look like a winding road full of opportunities and challenges that shape you along the way.

For many women, especially black women, the journey can feel like a long road with a few extra twists and turns. Understanding what lies ahead can be the difference between feeling stuck and confidently taking the next step.

In this post, we’ll break down the career progression in project management as well as a few often-overlooked roles that could give you that extra edge as you climb the ladder. From the first project you manage to the moment you step into a leadership role, let's map out the path that leads to career success.

Entry-Level Project Manager

An entry-level project manager may also be referred to as a Junior Project Manager or Assistant Project Manager. Often reports to a senior project or program manager.

To get into this type of role with zero project management experience, it’s a good idea to start out as a project coordinator or project administrator. These roles will give you a feel of what goes into managing a project from start to finish.

I started my journey as a project administrator and fell in love with the idea of managing all of the moving parts that bring a project to life.

I’d definitely recommend starting out as a project coordinator to see if the role is something you’d actually enjoy.

Ready to level up your project management career? Join the Women of Project Management membership, where you’ll find a community that’s all about growth, support, and taking your skills to the next level. Join Us — Women Of Project Management (womenofpm.com)

Mid-Level Project Manager

Mid-level project managers are the real MVPs when it comes to keeping projects on track. With a few years of experience under their belts, they’re the ones who lead teams, manage budgets, and ensure that everything runs smoothly from kickoff to completion. 

At this stage, they’ve moved beyond just coordinating tasks and assisting. They’re now responsible for strategic decisions and problem-solving on the fly. 

If you’re in this role, you’re not just managing projects; you’re shaping them, guiding your team to success, and building the skills needed to step into senior leadership.

Career Path for Project Managers: Less common mid-career roles that will set you apart. 

Project Implementation Manager - This role is all about turning plans into action. Usually focused on technology projects managing the go-live piece.  You’ll be the person behind executing the project plans, ensuring that every deliverable hits the mark.

Project Analyst - As a Project Analyst, you'll be the project’s data guru, diving into metrics, crunching numbers, and delivering insights that help steer the project toward success.

Technical Project Manager - For those who speak fluent tech and love tackling complex systems, the Technical Project Manager role is where you’ll shine.

This position is all about managing projects with a deep understanding of how to deliver successful technical projects.

Senior-Level Project Manager

Senior project managers are the big guns in the world of project management. With many years of experience and a proven track record, they’re the ones who lead complex projects and understand how to really influence stakeholders and steer projects toward successful outcomes.

If you're a senior PM, you're the go-to project expert and you're setting the standard for what great project management looks like. At this level you’re well on your way to program and portfolio management. 

Program and Portfolio Management

Program and Portfolio Management are the natural next steps for those looking to elevate their project management career. These roles demand more than just managing individual projects—they require a higher level of business acumen and strategic thinking.

As a program manager, you’ll oversee multiple related projects, ensuring they align with broader business goals. As a program manager, you’ll be in charge of multiple related projects, making sure they all work together toward the company’s goals.

And in portfolio management, you’ll take it even further, prioritizing and managing a collection of programs and projects to deliver the most value for the organization. If you’re looking to shift from day-to-day execution to leading the charge, this is where you step up.

Career Trajectories

Zippia data shows we're making strides, but there's still some serious room for improvement. Women are holding down about 36% of project management jobs, while Black project managers are holding around 7.5% of those roles.

This data pretty much shouts that we need to turn up the volume on diversity, especially when it comes to climbing the career ladder.

More support, more initiatives, and more chances to ensure that every skilled individual, regardless of gender or race, can make their mark in project management.

Join.

Join the full discussion inside the Women Of Project Management Membership. Listen to part of our conversation on the Women Of Project Management Podcast.

If you're new to our community, Women Of Project Management is the only community created to support & amplify the voices of women & women of color in every specialty of the project management industry worldwide. We support women in every stage of their career, learn more at Women Of Project Management.

By, Airess Rembert, PMP, Member of Women Of Project Management & Blogger at The Nerd Bae