The 'digital facilitator' is highly valued in companies

Digitalization has radically transformed the way companies manage their projects, giving rise to the emergence of new specialized professional profiles tasked with ensuring maximum efficiency within this new technological landscape . One of the most in-demand positions in the job market is the Digital Project Manager (DPM).

The Digital Project Manager's mission is to oversee the planning, execution, and completion of digital projects. Their scope of work is highly varied and can range from a brand's overall business plan at launch, its annual positioning, the creation and launch of a website, e-commerce, and the organization of the development and maintenance of mobile applications, video games, and more. This is always achieved through the implementation of a digital marketing strategy. "Furthermore, this professional is responsible for coordinating multidisciplinary teams , ensuring project development on time and within budget," explains ISDI, one of Spain's pioneering business schools in the digital field. "The Digital Project Manager is also involved in the implementation of agile methodologies to guarantee project efficiency. This point is especially important, as the digital environment in which they operate is constantly evolving, and they must ensure this continuous adaptation."

Inesdi Business Tech School affirms that the Digital Project Manager does not work independently, but is in constant communication with internal and external clients. Therefore, they must be able to work collaboratively with various teams. "You could say that the Digital Project Manager's mission is similar to a puzzle in which the human, technical, and timeline pieces must fit perfectly. Without the leadership of this professional role, marketing strategies would become unnecessary and meaningless," Inesdi states.

Among the more specific tasks this profile has are, for example, the design and management of online campaigns, improving the user experience, developing new concepts, and monitoring the results of all actions carried out using tools such as Google Analytics, while adhering to specifications and time and cost estimates for each campaign or project.

All these tasks make the Digital Project Manager a multitasker, capable of handling different tasks simultaneously while maintaining constant communication with clients and other stakeholders involved in the projects. "The Digital Project Manager's job doesn't end with the project's launch," explains the consulting firm Cego. "Their mission also consists of monitoring and ensuring the smooth running of projects over time, something that is done in accordance with the marketing objectives established long before the project is launched. What does this mean? The evaluation of operating costs, SEO and SEM strategies, and some type of maintenance in case of any problems or errors."

According to data from the InfoJobs employment portal, the number of job openings for this profile has grown by 35% in the last three years, especially in Catalonia, Andalusia, and the Valencian Community. Furthermore, data from the Employment Map—a tool developed by the Telefónica Foundation, based on big data and artificial intelligence and which analyzes digital job openings in Spain—also confirms that this profile is among the top five most in-demand in the digital field , specifically in second place, only behind software developers.

Those responsible for this tool emphasize that it is important not to confuse the role of the Digital Project Manager with that of the Digital Product Manager, as both respond to the acronym DPM. "The role of the Digital Product Manager is responsible for the overall strategy and vision of the digital product. They are in charge of market analysis, user needs, and shaping the direction of the product, service, tool, etc. They must ensure that it meets business objectives and customer expectations," they specify. On the other hand, the Digital Project Manager "is in charge of carrying out specific tasks to make the Digital Product Manager's vision a reality. They are the person responsible for coordinating teams, establishing schedules, and managing budgets. They must ensure that the entire project progresses smoothly to achieve project objectives."

According to the computer science school Cipsa.net, there is no specific degree or qualification required to become a Digital Project Manager, but most professionals working in this field have a university degree, master's degree, or postgraduate degree in areas related to technology, computer science, marketing, or business. The most common qualifications for a Digital Project Manager may include:

Digital business management. Business administration, theoretical and technical knowledge of project financing, profitability, HR, team building and management, digital applications and tools such as CRM, inventory control applications, application maintenance, systems, networks, theoretical and technical knowledge of business creation and management, how to recruit investors, create plans, and apply project management in training and internships provide a solid foundation for working in digital project management.

It's important for the person responsible for brand digitalization to be up-to-date on all types of new technologies : information technology, big data, AI, machine learning, robotics, computer science, programming, etc.; this knowledge is very useful for understanding the technical aspects of developing digital projects and for managing the implementation and maintenance of digital tools and processes.

A degree in digital marketing provides a solid understanding of the strategic and tactical aspects of digital marketing, which is valuable for developing digital projects focused on creatively communicating brand value.

In addition to university degrees, there are certifications available that can be useful for digital project managers, such as the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from PMI (Project Management Institute) or the Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) certification from Scrum Alliance. "In short, to be a successful DPM, it's important to have a solid understanding of technology , project management, and digital marketing, regardless of whether you've acquired them through university degrees, certifications, or work experience," explains Cipsa.net.

Regarding the salaries of these professionals, ISDI states that the salary of a Digital Project Manager in Spain varies depending on experience and the location of the position: "On average, a junior professional could earn around €30,000 to €40,000 per year; however, a more experienced professional or someone with leadership responsibilities could earn between €45,000 and €60,000 per year. Even so, these figures are approximate and tend to change depending on the company, the sector, and current labor market demands."