Special project professionals are usually organizers who program, design and execute recreational or innovative plans. They can have multiple roles depending on the size of the project. Some of them will require you to manage large contracts and handle budgets. You might also direct other teams that you have never interacted with.
Considering these projects are not part of regular duties, you will discover new strategies, techniques, and talents along the way. If you’re interested in learning more about special projects roles, take a look at this guide.
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A special projects manager is responsible for optimizing the projects’ processes. They design, develop, and implement strategies to execute the project. They’re also in charge of budgeting and creating organizational standards such as timeframes and quality requirements.
The special projects manager is also the communication bridge between all team members, so they must provide assistance and directions throughout the entire process. This is a leading role, so a vast experience in the organization is often required to become a special projects manager.
Some special projects managers usually come from lower-positioned roles and they escalate to that position. You can demonstrate your evolution to this role in your resume. You can talk about promotions, previous projects, and initiatives that you lead.
As a special projects manager, you must be able direct, guide, assist, and control large teams. That’s why it is crucial to mention your ability to deal with large groups in your special projects manager resume. You should have excellent communication, time management, and planning skills.
A special project coordinator oversees out-of-the-ordinary projects in an organization. These projects are part of new initiatives such as a trial marketing campaign, a new business strategy, or a training program. The special projects coordinator will control budgets, timelines, and team members.
They must make sure they all follow organizational standards, schedules, and quality requirements. They are also responsible for assigning tasks, monitoring day-to-day activities, and submitting performance reports to main stakeholders.
Special projects often require team members to work with other colleagues they have never interacted with. Therefore, you should have excellent interpersonal skills. That’s what most recruiters are looking for. That’s why you should mention all the teams that you’ve worked with in the past. This will make you seem more communicative and interactive.
As a special projects coordinator, you should be proficient at budgeting and setting timeframes and schedules. You must be able to meet deadlines and accomplish milestones with your team. That’s why it is so crucial to demonstrate your time management skills. You can talk about previous projects and how you were able to meet timeframes and deliver good results.
The director of special projects is in charge of delivering cost-effective and timely recreational or exploratory projects. They’re the ones that usually meet with stakeholders to discuss project goals, quality standards, and timeframes. The director of special projects leads multiple teams and oversees their performance.
They’re also in charge of developing reports and analytics to share with stakeholders. They must have excellent interpersonal and data analytics skills. A director of special projects must be approachable and a great leader.
A director of special projects is in charge of contract execution. That’s why you must be familiar with the compliance landscape, meet regulatory compliance, have risk management skills, and make sure everyone follows contract agreements. You can mention your experience with contract execution in your resume. This way, recruiters know you’re reliable in terms of legal compliance.
We spoke with hiring managers at top companies that hire for special projects roles, including Apple, Google, and Amazon. They shared insider tips on what they look for in resumes for these unique positions. Here are five key things to keep in mind when crafting your special projects resume.
Special projects roles often involve working on a variety of initiatives and adapting to changing priorities. Hiring managers want to see that you can handle this type of environment. Show your flexibility by:
Avoid generic statements that don't provide specific examples, like:
A resume summary for a Special Projects role is optional, but can be beneficial if you want to provide additional context or highlight key qualifications that may not be immediately apparent from the rest of your resume. It's a chance to briefly showcase your most relevant skills, experience, and achievements that make you a strong candidate for the position. However, avoid using an objective statement, as it focuses on your goals rather than what you can offer the employer.
When crafting your summary, tailor it to the specific Special Projects role you're targeting. Mention your years of experience, key skills, and any notable accomplishments that demonstrate your ability to excel in the position. Keep it concise and impactful, aiming for no more than a short paragraph.
Your work experience section is the heart of your resume. It's where you show hiring managers how you've applied your skills to make an impact for your previous employers. For special projects roles, this section needs to demonstrate your ability to manage complex initiatives, collaborate with diverse stakeholders, and deliver results.
Here are some key tips to make your work experience section stand out:
Your education section is an important part of your special projects resume. It shows hiring managers your academic background and how it has prepared you for the role. Here are some tips to make sure your education section is effective and tailored to the special projects field.
Action verbs are past-tensed words used for adding accountability to your speech. They make you look responsible for role-related activities, which provide you with more reliability and authority. Using the right action verbs will also help you create a clear and precise message, which means your readability will be improved as well.
If you’re looking for some inspiration for special projects' action verbs, look below. We have included some of the best action verbs you can use for special projects roles.
For a full list of effective resume action verbs, visit Resume Action Verbs.
A special projects manager is responsible for optimizing the projects’ processes. They design, develop, and implement strategies to execute the project. They’re also in charge of budgeting and creating organizational standards such as timeframes and quality requirements.
The special projects manager is also the communication bridge between all team members, so they must provide assistance and directions throughout the entire process. This is a leading role, so a vast experience in the organization is often required to become a special projects manager.
You can include the above skills in a dedicated Skills section on your resume, or weave them in your experience. Here's how you might create your dedicated skills section:
This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Special Projects job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more 'important' it is.
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