The Key Differences Between a Project Lead and a Project Manager

Understanding the differences between a project lead and a project manager is critical for anyone looking to pursue a career in project management. While the two roles may seem similar on the surface, there are some important distinctions that set them apart. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the key differences between these two vital positions and provide clarity around their respective responsibilities. Getting clarity on project lead vs project manager roles is an important first step before embarking on either career path.

So what is a project lead? And how does their role differ from that of a project manager? Let's take a closer look.

What is the Role of a Project Lead?

A project lead is responsible for overseeing the execution of a specific project. They are accountable for the project's overall success, from initial planning to final delivery. The project lead provides guidance and direction to the project team and is responsible for managing all aspects of the project to ensure it is completed on time, within budget and meets all objectives.

Some of the key responsibilities of a typical project lead include:

• Developing the project plan and managing the project schedule

• Assembling the project team and assigning individual tasks

• Monitoring project progress and making adjustments as needed 

• Managing budgets and tracking project costs

• Leading project meetings and keeping stakeholders informed

• Identifying and resolving issues and risks throughout the project

• Ensuring deliverables meet quality standards and objectives

• Closing out the project and assessing results

The project lead serves as the central point of contact for all matters related to the project. They keep senior management updated on status and risks, coordinate with other department leads, and provide guidance to team members. The role requires excellent communication skills, leadership abilities, and organizational expertise.

What are the Responsibilities of a Project Manager?

A project manager plays a similar role to that of a project lead but typically carries more formal authority and a broader remit across multiple projects. While a lead oversees a single project, a manager will often oversee multiple projects simultaneously.

The key responsibilities of a project manager include:

• Developing project plans for multiple projects across an organization

• Assembling project teams and managing all resources

• Developing schedules, budgets and quality plans

• Monitoring multiple projects and providing status reports

• Identifying risks and issues across all managed projects

• Leading regular project meetings and reviews

• Managing third party vendors and suppliers

• Using PM methodologies, tools and techniques across projects

• Ensuring all projects align to organizational objectives

In many organizations, a project manager takes on a more senior strategic role. They ensure all projects ladder up to broader company goals and may have responsibility for the project management office (PMO).

Project managers are viewed as subject matter experts in project delivery methodology. They often hold advanced certifications such as PMP, PRINCE2 or Agile certifications to demonstrate their specialized expertise. The role requires excellent leadership, communication, organization and strategic skills.

What are the Key Differences Between a Project Lead and a Project Manager?

Now that we’ve explored both roles in more detail, let’s clearly outline the key differences between a project lead and a project manager:

• Scope of responsibility - A project lead oversees a single project, while a manager oversees multiple projects.

• Level of authority - A manager role commands more organizational authority to direct resources and make decisions.

• Specialization - Managers possess formal PM qualifications and are viewed as subject experts.

• Strategic influence - Project managers align projects to broader organizational objectives.

• Team size - Managers typically oversee larger project teams and more team members.

• Tools and processes - Managers implement organizational PM standards, methods and tools across all projects.

• Stakeholder engagement - Project managers engage with more senior external stakeholders.

• Budget oversight - Project managers often oversee larger budgets across multiple projects.

• Career progression - The manager role provides more potential career advancement opportunities.

The above differences demonstrate that a project manager operates at a higher level of responsibility, authority, and strategic influence compared to a project lead. While a lead role focuses more narrowly on delivering a single project, a manager oversees the entire project portfolio.

What are the Most Important Project Lead Skills?

To be an effective project lead, certain skills are required. Some of the most important project lead skills include:

• Leadership - Ability to set direction and motivate/inspire a team.

• Communication - Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills. Able to keep all stakeholders informed.

• Organization - Ability to develop plans, processes, schedules and budgets for a project.

• Ownership - Takes responsibility and accountability for project outcomes.

• Problem-solving - Can quickly and effectively deal with issues. Comfortable making decisions.

• Collaboration - Engages openly with team members and stakeholders. Seeks win-win outcomes.

• Agility - Flexible to changing priorities and able to adjust project plans when required.

• Technical skills - Understands the technology, tools, and techniques required to manage the project.

Project leads also require skills in negotiation, relationship building, coaching, multitasking and time management. Strong project leads know how to bring out the best in their teams.

What Skills Make a Strong Project Manager?

Like project leads, project managers also require a common set of foundational skills to be effective:

• Leadership - Provides direction and inspiration across multiple teams.

• Communication - Excellent communicator across all levels. Comfortable presenting to execs.

• Strategic thinking - Understands how projects ladder up to organizational objectives.

• Organization - Oversees complex plans, documents, schedules for multiple projects.

• Risk management - Able to identify and mitigate risks across a project portfolio.

• Agility - Responds quickly to changing priorities and shifts between projects.

• Problem-solving - Uses expertise and experience to resolve issues and conflicts.

• Collaboration - Engages with diverse stakeholders and teams to drive consensus.

• Coaching - Supports development of project team members by mentoring.

Additional important project manager skills include budgeting, process improvement, supplier management, decision making, negotiation and advanced technology skills. Overall, exceptional project managers combine leadership with formal PM methodology to deliver projects consistently and effectively.

What are Some Key Attributes of a Successful Project Lead?

To drive project success, there are some vital attributes every project lead should possess:

• Accountability - Takes full ownership and does not make excuses when facing setbacks.

• Decisiveness** - Makes time-sensitive decisions firmly and definitively.

• Positivity - Exudes optimism and encourages team members to see challenges as opportunities.

• Confidence - Conveys confidence in the team’s ability to achieve project goals.

• Empathy - Understands team members as individuals and cares about their needs.

• Creativity - Looks for innovative solutions to project issues as they arise.

• Focus - Remains focused on the end goal and avoids distractions.

• Authenticity - Behaves transparently to build trust with the team and stakeholders.

• Resilience - Perseveres through tough challenges and motivates the team during setbacks. 

Project leads who demonstrate strong character and leadership traits can rally their teams to push through obstacles and accomplish project objectives.

How Can You Become an Effective Project Manager?

For those aspiring to become project managers, there are several steps you can take:

• Obtain formal project management certifications like PMP or PRINCE2 to demonstrate your specialized expertise.

• Take project management courses and training to build key PM skills.

• Gain hands-on PM experience by volunteering or working on internal projects within your company.

• Develop soft skills like leadership, communication, presentation and relationship building.

• Expand your technical skills in PM software, data analysis, budgeting and reporting.

• Seek a mentor who can coach you on project management best practices and advise your career progression.

• Read books and articles to stay on top of the latest PM trends and methodologies.

• Join professional project management associations to build your network and capabilities.

With the right combination of education, experience, skills development and networking, you can establish yourself as an authoritative and sought-after project manager.

Key Takeaways: Project Lead vs Project Manager

• A project lead oversees a single project while a project manager oversees multiple projects.

• Project managers have more formal authority and operate at a more strategic level.

• Project managers hold specialized PM certifications and serve as subject matter experts.

• Project leads focus narrowly on delivering a project while managers focus more broadly on aligning projects to organizational strategy.

• Both roles require leadership, communication, problem-solving and team management skills to be effective.

• By understanding the key differences, you can determine which role and career trajectory best fits your strengths and interests.

Understanding where these two vital roles overlap and where they differ enables you to make an informed decision as you advance your career in project management. Both project leads and project managers play important parts in driving the success of projects and organizations.