Special Projects Manager Resume Guide

Special Projects Managers are responsible for overseeing the planning, implementation, and completion of special projects. They collaborate with other departments to ensure that project goals align with corporate objectives, manage budgets and resources, create timelines and milestones to monitor progress, track deadlines and deliverables throughout the life cycle of a project, provide updates on changes or delays in progress as needed.

Your knack for organization and problem-solving make you a prime candidate to manage special projects. To get the attention of hiring managers, you must write an eye-catching resume that emphasizes your strengths.

This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a top-notch resume. We first show you a complete example and then break down what each resume section should look like.

The guide is divided into sections for your convenience. You can read it from beginning to end or use the table of contents below to jump to a specific part.

Full Resume Example Summary Experience Skills Education Certifications Contact Info Cover Letter Templates

Special Projects Manager Resume Sample

Felix Morissette
Special Projects Manager

[email protected]
562-948-1868
linkedin.com/in/felix-morissette

Summary

Passionate special projects manager with 10+ years of experience in project management, budgeting/financing and contract negotiation. Skilled at leading large-scale initiatives from concept to completion while overcoming challenges like tight deadlines and limited resources. Proven track record for driving cost savings through process improvements, resulting in a 20% reduction in overall costs for Company X. Seeking to bring my expertise to ABC Corp as the next Special Projects Manager.

Experience

Special Projects Manager, Employer A
Garden Grove, Jan 2018 – Present

Utilized strong project management skills to lead and manage 10+ special projects of varying complexity, ensuring successful completion within tight deadlines.
Achieved cost savings of up to 20% by coordinating efficient resource allocations for each project; monitored progress and eliminated scope creep issues in a timely manner.
Prepared comprehensive budget plans for all special projects, estimating costs associated with personnel, materials & supplies, travel expenses and other related items; stayed within allocated budgets at all times.
Accurately tracked the progress of multiple tasks simultaneously on an online platform with over 500 users across different departments; updated stakeholders regularly on any changes or delays that occurred along the way.
Compiled detailed reports summarizing activities performed during each phase of the project lifecycle upon completion; identified areas needing improvement going forward while also recognizing successes achieved thus far.

Special Projects Manager, Employer B
Sunrise Manor, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017

Optimized project workflow and resource allocation to maximize efficiency, reducing project turnaround time by 25%.
Reduced the overall cost of special projects through effective budget management, saving an average of $10K per month.
Coordinated between departments to ensure that all tasks related to each special project were completed on schedule; effectively managed 9 high-priority projects with a combined value of over $250K within a 6-month period without any delays or discrepancies.
Facilitated communication between stakeholders across different disciplines and locations in order to create accurate models for future planning efforts, resulting in decreased risks associated with new initiatives by 30%.
Competently leveraged industry best practices such as Agile methodology and Lean Six Sigma principles within all phases of special projects development process; achieved customer satisfaction ratings above 80% on every assignment handled so far.

Skills

Project Planning
Program Management
Nonprofits
Contract Negotiation
Process Improvement
Operations Management
Fundraising
Event Management
Team Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011

Certifications

Certified Special Projects Manager
International Association of Special Projects Managers
May 2017

1. Summary / Objective

The summary or objective at the top of your resume should be a snapshot of why you are an ideal candidate for the special projects manager role. This is where you can highlight your most impressive accomplishments, such as successfully leading cross-functional teams to complete complex initiatives on time and under budget, or developing innovative strategies that resulted in increased customer satisfaction ratings. You could also mention any relevant certifications or qualifications here.

Below are some resume summary examples:

Professional project manager with 10+ years of experience in planning, coordinating, and executing special projects for both public and private sector organizations. Experienced in developing project plans, budgeting resources, managing teams to completion goals on time and within budget. Proven ability to deliver results by leading cross-functional teams from concept through implementation. Highly organized individual that is motivated to create positive change within an organization.

Committed special projects manager with 7+ years of experience managing complex and cross-functional projects. Experienced in leading teams to successful outcomes while working within tight deadlines, budgets, and resources. At XYZ Corporation, led a project that delivered over $2 million in cost savings through process optimization initiatives. Highly organized individual who excels at delivering impactful results on time and under budget.

Determined special projects manager with 8+ years of experience in project management, budgeting, and coordination. Experienced in developing strategies to streamline processes and increase efficiency for organizations. At ABC Corporation I successfully managed a $50M project that was delivered on time and under budget. Possess excellent interpersonal skills to build strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.

Detail-oriented special projects manager with 10+ years of experience in project and program management. Skilled at successfully managing multiple cross-functional teams, ensuring deliverables are on time, budget and quality standards are met. Seeking to join ABC Corp as a special projects manager to provide strategic guidance and ensure that initiatives meet their objectives while driving growth for the organization.

Reliable and detail-oriented special projects manager with 8+ years of experience leading complex, multi-faceted initiatives across a variety of industries. Proven track record in managing and executing large scale projects under tight deadlines while maintaining budgets and delivering on time. Seeking to utilize my extensive knowledge and expertise at ABC Corporation to manage high priority corporate initiatives.

Talented special projects manager with 10+ years of experience successfully leading and completing large-scale initiatives. Proven track record of creating innovative solutions to complex problems, reducing costs by 20%, and streamlining processes for improved efficiency. Skilled in strategic planning, project management, stakeholder communication, problem solving, budgeting/cost control and quality assurance.

Energetic and proactive special projects manager with 10+ years of experience in project management, operations, strategic planning, and process improvement. Skilled at managing multiple complex tasks simultaneously while maintaining a focus on quality outcomes. Seeking to join ABC Company to use strong problem-solving skills to manage large-scale initiatives efficiently and effectively.

Hard-working special projects manager with 7+ years of experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives for high-profile organizations. At XYZ, managed a 50% budget reduction and increased efficiency by 35%. Seeking to leverage extensive knowledge in project management best practices as the next Special Projects Manager at ABC Corporation.

2. Experience / Employment

In the experience section, you should provide details on your employment history. This section should be written in reverse chronological order, meaning the most recent job is listed first.

When writing what you did for each role, stick to bullet points primarily; this makes it easier for the reader to take in all of the information quickly. You want to think about how best to explain what you did and include any quantifiable results that were achieved as a result of your work.

For example, instead of saying “Managed special projects,” you could say, “Successfully managed 10+ special projects from conception through completion within budget and ahead of schedule.”

To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:

Other general verbs you can use are:

Achieved
Advised
Assessed
Compiled
Coordinated
Demonstrated
Developed
Expedited
Facilitated
Formulated
Improved
Introduced
Mentored
Optimized
Participated
Prepared
Presented
Reduced
Reorganized
Represented
Revised
Spearheaded
Streamlined
Structured
Utilized

Below are some example bullet points:

Actively managed over 150 special projects with budgets ranging from $50,000 to $2 million, resulting in a 20% reduction of total project costs.
Streamlined the coordination process between multiple cross-functional teams and stakeholders by creating new communication channels; enabled faster completion times on all projects with an average of 2 weeks ahead of schedule.
Spearheaded the implementation of innovative strategies for high profile strategic partners by leading 30+ meetings and successfully presenting action plans that increased customer satisfaction ratings by 9%.
Presented detailed financial reports to senior management during monthly reviews while monitoring progress against established goals and expectations; identified areas requiring improvement which yielded cost savings of up to 10%.
Demonstrated strong analytical skills when examining data trends across various markets and providing insightful recommendations that improved market penetration rates by 15%.

Expedited the completion of 4 major projects, including a $2.5M construction project and a 12-month software development initiative; saved an average of 800 hours in total by streamlining processes.
Mentored 5 team members on best practices for managing special projects, leading to improved efficiency across all departments with 10% fewer delays in meeting goals.
Effectively managed resource allocation for up to 15 concurrent high priority initiatives at any given time while delivering results within budgeted timelines and scope parameters 80% of the time or better.
Represented the company at industry events such as trade shows & conferences, fostering relationships that resulted in 3 new client contracts worth over $1 million each this year alone.
Structured workflow processes according to established corporate standards; reduced operational costs by 25%, resulting in increased profits over four consecutive quarters.

Diligently managed and executed 8 special projects with strict deadlines, ensuring successful completion within budget constraints.
Developed innovative strategies for streamlining operations; reduced project costs by 20% in the first quarter of 2020.
Participated in weekly meetings to track progress on all ongoing projects and identify areas for improvement; successfully completed 10+ projects ahead of schedule while maintaining quality standards.
Introduced new tools and technologies to manage data collection, analysis, monitoring & reporting activities related to special project execution processes; improved efficiency by 12%.
Revised existing policies and procedures based on feedback from stakeholders across different departments; increased satisfaction ratings among customers/clients by 15%.

Resourcefully formulated and directed innovative special projects within the company, resulting in a 15% increase in operational efficiency.
Reorganized project workflow processes to prioritize tasks, reduce costs by $10K and meet deadlines ahead of schedule on 5+ occasions.
Assessed team performance and identified areas for improvement; implemented new strategies that raised employee productivity levels by 30%.
Improved customer service experience through rigorous testing of products & services prior to launch; reduced product-related complaints by 25%.
Spearheaded large scale initiatives with cross-functional teams both internally & externally, successfully completing 10+ projects over 6 months period.

3. Skills

Even though two organizations are hiring for the same role, the skillset they want an ideal candidate to possess could differ significantly. For instance, one may be on the lookout for an individual who is experienced in budgeting and financial planning, while another may want someone who has a strong background in project management.

It’s important to tailor the skills section of your resume according to each job that you are applying for. This will help ensure that applicant tracking systems used by many employers can detect the necessary keywords related to their position so they can pass on your resume accordingly.

In addition, it would be beneficial to discuss some of these skills more deeply in other areas such as the summary or experience sections – this way potential employers have an even better understanding of what kind of special projects manager you are!

Below is a list of common skills & terms:

Account Management
Analysis
Business Development
Business Strategy
Change Management
Construction Management
Continuous Improvement
Contract Management
Contract Negotiation
Data Analysis
Editing
Engineering
Event Management
Fundraising
Government
Grant Writing
Manufacturing
Nonprofits
Operations Management
Policy
Process Improvement
Product Development
Program Development
Program Management
Project Planning
Purchasing
Social Media Marketing
Social Networking
Strategy
Teaching
Team Leadership
Teamwork
Time Management
Volunteer Management

4. Education

Adding an education section to your resume depends on how much experience you have in the field of project management. If you are a recent graduate with little to no work experience, mention your education below your resume objective. However, if you have years of relevant work history and accomplishments to showcase, omitting an education section is completely acceptable.

If including an education section is necessary for this special projects manager job application, list courses or subjects that demonstrate knowledge related to the position’s requirements.

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011

5. Certifications

Certifications are a great way to demonstrate to potential employers that you have the necessary skills and knowledge for the job. They also show your commitment to professional development, as well as your dedication in staying up-to-date with industry trends.

If you possess any certifications related to the position you are applying for, make sure they are included on your resume so that hiring managers can easily recognize them. This could give you an edge over other applicants who do not hold such credentials.

Certified Special Projects Manager
International Association of Special Projects Managers
May 2017

6. Contact Info

Your name should be the first thing a reader sees when viewing your resume, so ensure its positioning is prominent. Your phone number should be written in the most commonly used format in your country/city/state, and your email address should be professional.

You can also choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or other online platforms relevant to your industry.

Finally, name your resume file appropriately to help hiring managers; for Felix Morissette, this would be Felix-Morissette-resume.pdf or Felix-Morissette-resume.docx.

7. Cover Letter

Providing a cover letter when applying for a job is an excellent way to make yourself stand out from the other candidates. It’s usually made up of 2 to 4 paragraphs and provides more detail than what can be found in your resume.

A cover letter allows you to express why you’re interested in the position, as well as highlight any relevant skills or experiences that might not have been mentioned on your resume. Writing one also gives recruiters deeper insights into who you are and how suitable you may be for the role.

Below is an example cover letter:

Dear Tia,

I am writing to apply for the Special Projects Manager position at [company name]. As a highly organized and detail-oriented professional with more than 10 years of experience managing special projects, I am confident that I would make a valuable contribution to your team.

In my current role as Special Projects Manager at [company name], I oversee all aspects of assigned projects from inception through completion. I have successfully managed projects ranging in scope from small internal initiatives to large-scale external events with budgets exceeding $1 million. My skills in project planning, budgeting, and vendor management have been instrumental in ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget. In addition, my excellent communication and interpersonal skills allow me to effectively manage teams of up to 30 staff members and maintain positive relationships with clients, vendors, and other stakeholders.

As Special Projects Manager at [company name], I have also been responsible for developing best practices and standard operating procedures for project management. These efforts have resulted in increased efficiency and effectiveness across the organization’s special projects function. Additionally, I regularly provide training on project management principles and techniques to new employees and staff members who are new to the field of project management.

The combination of my experience managing special projects, developing best practices forproject management,and providing trainingto others makes me confident that I would excel as your organization’s next Special Projects Manager. Thank you for your time;I look forwardto hearing from you soon about this opportunity.

Sincerely,

Felix