Hearing about Digital Project Manager often causes eyebrows to raise—and for good reason. The title is often abused, a buzzword that has almost lost its meaning, to the point of becoming a living meme.
And yet, no project manages itself. Not even in the digital world—have you ever seen a website or an advertising campaign create itself?
I don’t believe so. And that’s why Digital Project Managers exist!
What does a Digital Project Manager do?
A Digital Project Manager is responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing the tasks and activities required for a project, ensuring that what is written on paper is successfully executed. In short, they make sure that objectives are met within the set timeframe, while staying within budget and maintaining high-quality standards.
Project managers play a key role in well-structured companies, where projects are complex, require collaboration among multiple specialists, and where quality control of deliverables to clients is pivotal.
For the same reason, structured companies operating in similar but distinct markets require Digital Project Managers with specific expertise. For example, some Project Managers specialize in managing PR initatives, others focus on Advertising campaigns, while more technical profiles, such as IT Project Managers, coordinate the development of applications and IT systems.
Differences Between Project Manager (PM) and Account Manager (AM)
In project management, the roles of Project Manager and Account Manager are often mistaken for one another.
- Project Managers (PMs): are responsible for the operational and strategic management of the project, overseeing the internal team’s work and ensuring deadlines and budgets are met.
- Account Managers (AMs): play a more commercial role, managing client relationships and making sure their needs are met.
We could say that while the PM focuses on project execution, the AM’s goal is to build and maintain strong client relationships to generate new business opportunities.
In theory, this goes by the book, but in practice, the differences are often subtle. Larger companies typically work with teams composed of both AMs and PMs, while leaner organizations often hire hybrid profiles that combine client management, internal resource coordination, and budget oversight.
Digital Project Manager: The Benefits of hiring a freelancer
We’re used to seeing Digital Project Manager roles listed as full-time positions, but hiring a freelance Project Manager can bring a number of advantages to agencies and consulting firms.
- Flexible Structure with No Fixed Costs
Hiring a freelance PM avoids office costs, tools, and other business expenses. It also avoids paying a fixed salary, which gives companies the flexibility to adjust staffing based on project demands. This allows company structures to expand and contract like an accordion. - Improving efficient budget management and preventing Office Politics
Freelance PMs are often paid per project, which motivates them to stay efficient and avoid time wastage since it directly impacts their earnings. Plus, they’re less likely to get caught up in office politics, which can often slow things down in full-time teams. - Diverse Perspectives & Innovation
By working with freelancers from different cities, countries, and industries, companies can bring in a wide range of perspectives. This diversity helps foster an inclusive work environment and promotes fresh ideas, preventing the stagnation that sometimes comes with long-established companies that haven’t updated their practices in years.
Who I am and what I can do for you
I am a Freelance Project Manager and/or Account Manager (I take on both roles depending on the case!) and I work with international clients in Italian, English, and French. I have extensive experience in communication and digital marketing, gained across various sectors, both profit and non-profit.
To learn more about my work, visit this link; if you need help managing a project or a client, feel free to reach out to me at: edo@edoardoghitti.com
Talk soon! 🙂