RECRUITMENT GUIDE
How To Hire a Technical Project Manager
Where to start, how to write the perfect job description (example included), skills assessment questions, and interview tips.
Save time and headaches with your FREE guide to hiring a Technical Project Manager (TPM).
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TECHNICAL PROJECT MANAGER RECRUITMENT GUIDE
What does a Technical Project Manager do?
A TPM is responsible for analysing an organisation's business processes, procedures, and operations, and identifying areas for improvement.
This typically involves working closely with stakeholders to understand their needs and requirements, conducting research and analysis, and proposing solutions that can help the organisation to achieve its goals.
TECHNICAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Day to day tasks of a Technical Project Manager
- Project planning and initiation
- Team coordination
- Communication
- Scope and change management
- Risk management
- Quality assurance
- Documentation
- Stakeholder management
- Problem-solving
- Continuous improvement
- Technical oversight.
WHY ARE TECHNICAL PROJECT MANAGERS NEEDED?
In essence, technical project managers serve as the glue that holds a complex project together. They provide leadership, organisation, and oversight to ensure that technical projects are completed successfully, on time, and within budget.
THE HIRING PROCESS
Technical Project Manager Hiring Process
BUILD THE IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE
To find the best TPM, you need to understand what the role involves. You can complete this with the hiring manager to define the role, its contribution, and the skills needed.
STEP 2: Source Applicants
WRITE THE JOB DESCRIPTION BASED ON SKILLS
Once you understand the requirements for the role, you’ll need to understand the skills for success. You can then write an effective job description to promote your role.
STEP 3: Skills Assessment
SELECT CANDIDATES
See which applicants have the right skills for the role. Send your applicants a skills assessment test (if relevant) to assess their aptitude.
STEP 4: Interview
INTERVIEW TOP PERFORMERS
Your skills assessment results will identify top performers. Focus your time on interviewing those that have met or exceeded your requirements. Assessment results will also help guide which skill areas to focus on in the interview.
STEP 5: Hire
MAKE AN OFFER
Once you assess your candidates against these skills, you’re ready to offer the top performer(s). You should base your offer on the value that the candidate would bring to your team and your business as a whole. It is also important that your compensation and benefits packages are competitive in the industry.
Download the Technical Project Manager complete hiring guide…
SUPER-CHARGE YOUR TALENT FINDING POWERS!
STEP 1: BUILD THE IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE
What technical skills are needed?
- Familiar with different phases of the software development lifecycle (SDLC)
- Knowledge of databases, data modelling & data management concepts
- Understanding of system architecture & design principles.
What soft skills are needed?
- Excellent communication & leadership skills
- Strong problem-solving & critical-thinking skills
- Effective time management skills.
STEP 2: WRITE JOB DESCRIPTION BASED ON SKILLS
How to write a Technical Project Manager job description
Once you’ve determined the skills required for the role, you can write the job description to advertise for your position. Here’s what to include in your Technical Project Manager job description:
Job Title: What position are you hiring for?
Job Summary: A short paragraph to describe the role. What makes your company unique? What would it be like to work for you?
Responsibilities: An overview of the role’s day-to-day activities, and how the position contributes to the organisation.
Requirements: Skills a candidate must have to perform the job successfully.
Benefits: Details of compensation, benefits, and any perks on offer.
STEP 3: SELECT CANDIDATES
Sample skill tests for a Technical Project Manager
QUESTION 1
Project Management
Provide a scenario and ask the candidate to create a project plan, allocate resources, and demonstrate their understanding of the functionalities of a project management tool.
QUESTION 2
Communication
Provide a written or verbal communication exercise where the candidate must explain a technical concept to a non-technical stakeholder. This assesses their ability to communicate complex ideas effectively.
QUESTION 3
Change Management
Describe a project where scope changes are requested mid-project and ask the candidate to outline how they would manage these changes without jeopardising the project’s success.
STEP 4: INTERVIEW TOP PERFORMERS
How to interview a Technical Project Manager
Once your skills assessment has surfaced the most qualified people for your open role, you can focus on interviewing these candidates. The interview should focus on any skills that require development that were highlighted in the skills assessment.
Now you know that candidates can do the job, the interview becomes more of a relationship-building exercise where you can get to know the candidate on a more personal level, understand their motivations, and how they would fit in with the team.
STEP 5: MAKE AN OFFER
How much should I expect to pay a Technical Project Manager?
The average salary for a TPM can vary based on a number of factors… the individual’s level of experience, education, location, and of course the specific requirements of the job they are applying for.
For more salary insights, click below.