A project manager coordinates teams, manages timelines, and ensures projects are delivered on time and within budget. They work across industries — including software and product development, construction, and content creation — to keep complex initiatives on track. From Agile software development to enterprise-wide transformations, experienced project managers can adapt their approach to match your project's unique needs.
What does a project manager do?
A project manager plans, executes, and closes projects while coordinating resources, managing teams, and maintaining stakeholder communication. They ensure that project objectives are met on time and within budget by aligning project scope with broader business goals.
Project managers work in a variety of methodologies, such as Agile, Scrum, or Waterfall, to guide initiatives through their life cycle. Their role involves identifying and mitigating risks, managing change, and removing blockers that prevent teams from executing efficiently.
They often work alongside product managers and program managers to match project goals with broader business objectives. Experienced project managers oversee a wide range of initiatives, including software development, construction, product launches, and marketing campaigns.
How to hire a project manager on Upwork
Upwork makes it easy to find, vet, hire, and collaborate with project managers of all skills levels and from all over the world. You only need to follow these four simple steps.
Step 1: Post a job
A well-crafted job post serves as your first filter, helping qualified project managers find your project as they search for work. In your post:
- Use a descriptive title like “IT project manager needed for ongoing workflows”
- Outline specific responsibilities, deliverables, success metrics, team size, and expected timeline
- Identify required certifications (PMP, CAPM), state the planned project methodology (Agile, Scrum, Waterfall), and desired tools (Asana, Trello)
- Specify the industry experience needed
To create a tailored job post quickly, try the Job Post Generator powered by Uma™, Upwork’s Mindful AI. Describe what you need in a few sentences, and Uma will craft a job post in seconds. You can also review job description templates and examples for inspiration, or check out the project manager job description template as a starting example.
Step 2: Evaluate candidates
As proposals come in, you’ll want to evaluate them in a way that is thorough and efficient. Look for candidates who show both technical qualifications and demonstrated results from past projects similar to yours.
- Have Uma give instant video interviews and side-by-side comparisons
- Use Upwork’s filters to find candidates by rate, location, and experience
- Review proposals for signs that the candidate has understood your job post and has the skills to meet your needs
- Review portfolios and past project examples to verify relevant industry experience
- Look for proficiency with your preferred project management methodologies and tools
Step 3: Interview your top choices
A quick video interview gives you the chance to ask any questions you have left for your top choices, and to get a feel for what a collaboration with them might be like.
- Schedule and conduct interviews within Upwork messaging to get instant transcripts and summaries from Uma
- Have the candidate walk you through a piece from their portfolio, focusing on how the candidate’s technical competency helped meet the client’s goals
- Present scenario-based questions to assess risk management, decision-making skills, and conflict resolution approaches
- Discuss their specific experience with methodologies like Agile or Scrum
Review project manager interview questions for ideas on the kinds of questions to ask during interviews. You can also refer to common interview questions if you’re unfamiliar with interviewing freelancers.
Step 4: Agree on scope and begin work
Once you’ve found the right person, you can send a contract directly through the Upwork marketplace. A solid contract protects both parties and helps collaborations be successful from beginning to end.
- Use Upwork's contract workroom, messaging, and payment protection for secure collaboration
- Choose fixed-price contracts for projects with clear deliverables, such the development of a single project plan
- Separate complex projects into clear milestones, such as creating milestones for the different phases of a product’s developement
- Choose hourly contracts for ongoing work or projects without clear deliverables, such as ongoing support for a team over months and across many projects
Upwork is not affiliated with and does not sponsor or endorse any of the tools or services discussed in this article. These tools and services are provided only as potential options, and each reader and company should take the time needed to adequately analyze and determine the tools or services that would best fit their specific needs and situation.
The rates and information provided in this article are based on current data and industry sources available at the time of publication. Freelance rates can vary depending on factors such as experience, location, project scope, and market conditions. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research to confirm current rates and trends, as this information may change over time.