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Project Director Jobs in Mankato, MN (NOW HIRING)

Kraft Heinz Company

Project Engineer

New Ulm, MN · On-site

Direct and compile capital budgeting; collect future capital project requirements from factory departments and compile into a final five-year capital budget. Control the currently fiscal year budget ...

Nicollet County

Design/Project Engineer

Saint Peter, MN

$98K - $137K/yr

Under the general supervision of the Assistant Public Works Director/Assistant County Engineer, the Design/Project Engineer performs and manages skilled professional engineering work in the surveying ...

Heartland Corn Products

Project Manager

Winthrop, MN · On-site

$80K - $140K/yr

The Project Manager is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing capital improvement projects from concept through completion within the facility. This position manages project scope ...

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Project Director information

See Mankato, MN salary details

$43.6K

$108.6K

$195.8K

How much do project director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for project director in Mankato, MN is $108,608.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,400.00 and $143,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a project director?

A project director handles all aspects of project management for a business or organization. As a project director, your job duties may include hiring members of project teams and project managers, negotiating with contractors and vendors, overseeing budget allocations for multiple projects, making sure projects stay on schedule, and checking in with project managers regarding client and stakeholder meetings. You may also meet with management to pitch project proposals and explain how ongoing or future projects align with business goals.

What does a project director do?

A Project Director is responsible for overseeing the planning, execution, and completion of large or complex projects within an organization. They lead project teams, manage budgets and timelines, and ensure that project objectives align with company goals. Project Directors also communicate with stakeholders, resolve issues that may arise, and ensure that deliverables meet quality standards. Their role is critical in ensuring projects are completed successfully, on time, and within budget.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a project director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Project Director, you need strong leadership, project management expertise, and a relevant degree—often in business, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with project management tools like Microsoft Project, Primavera, or Asana, plus certifications such as PMP or PRINCE2, are typically required. Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills make candidates stand out in this role. These abilities ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the satisfaction of all parties involved.

How does a project director typically balance strategic oversight with hands-on project involvement?

As a Project Director, you'll often need to strike a balance between providing high-level strategic direction and getting involved in the day-to-day operations of projects. While your primary focus is on aligning projects with organizational goals and ensuring resources are allocated effectively, you may also step in to resolve escalated issues, mentor project managers, and communicate with key stakeholders. This dual responsibility requires strong delegation skills and the ability to maintain clear visibility into project progress without micromanaging, ensuring teams are empowered but supported.

What is the difference between Project Director vs Project Manager?

AspectProject DirectorProject Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees multiple projects or programs, sets strategic goals, manages senior stakeholdersManages individual projects, handles day-to-day operations, ensures project deliverables
Required CredentialsOften requires a bachelor's degree, PMP certification, and extensive experienceTypically requires a bachelor's degree, PMP or CAPM certification, and project management experience
Work EnvironmentExecutive-level, strategic planning, often in corporate or large organizational settingsOperational, team management, on-site or remote project execution
Industry UsageCommon in large corporations, government agencies, and consulting firmsWidely used across industries for project execution at various scales

The main difference between a Project Director and a Project Manager lies in scope and strategic involvement. The Project Director oversees multiple projects and aligns them with organizational goals, while the Project Manager focuses on managing individual projects to ensure successful delivery.

How much does a project director make in the US?

The average salary for a project director in the US is approximately $100,000 to $150,000 per year, depending on industry, experience, and location. Senior project directors or those in specialized fields can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $180,000 annually. Strong leadership, project management skills, and relevant certifications like PMP can influence compensation levels.
More about Project Director jobs

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The most popular types of Project jobs in Mankato, MN are:

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Project Director jobs near you

Project Engineer

Kraft Heinz Company

New Ulm, MN • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 6 days ago

Kraft Heinz rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 122 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

230th of 440 rated food and drinks producers

Job description

Execute and/or coordinate specialized engineering tasks.Job Description
The Project Engineer directs and coordinates exercises functional authority for planning, organization, control, integration and completion of engineering project for the plant or within the area of assigned responsibility by performing the following duties personally or through subordinate supervisors.
Key Responsibilities of the Role
  • To ensure projects are completed on time within budget or with successful attainment of objectives.
  • Completes specific phases or aspects of the project such as technical studies, product design, preparation of specifications and technical plans and product testing.
  • Coordinates activities concerned with technical developments, scheduling, and resolving engineering design and test problems.
  • Controls expenditures within limitations of project budget.
  • Prepares interim and completion project reports.
  • Provide functional and technical support to the factories to minimize production and maintenance problems.
  • Apply engineering expertise to equipment design, problems solving, and quality improvement.
  • Participate in committee or task forces where necessary to contribute to company goals.
  • Support PRC and key support projects as technical advisor or project manager.
  • In every activity, use the principles of TQM "To do the job right the first time". This includes establishing requirements and the process maps necessary to meet the customer's requirements and all things done right the first time.
  • Promote TQM through actions and communications to all customers (internal and external), conformance to requirements, to provide quality products and services and provide technical solutions/leadership for the reduction in cost of quality.
  • Development of project scope, justification, and factory/company impact.
  • Appropriation preparation including cost estimates, savings, and timing plan.
  • Development and management of cost controls, asset controls and scheduling controls.
  • Hires and supervises various contractors in the scope of project manager. This may encompass all project areas and total up to 50 people dispersed among distinct trades.
  • The incumbent must maintain a strong back-up source of technical files, vendors, and manufacturers, and engineering groups in order to respond to needs for new packaging methods or to identify technologies/equipment for application in the packaging area.
  • Evaluate, plan and implement approved projects in the direction of Engineering, Project Review Committee and/or Management Board.
  • Cost Reduction/Production Improvement; Participate actively in Company efforts to reduce operational costs and improve finished quality attributes. Develop projects where appropriate to initiate utilization of cost cutting/quality improving technique or equipment.
  • Analyzing and preparing appropriation request for capital improvement and replacements of inefficient assets, collecting and organizing data for future capital improvements on a five-year capital spending budget basis; maintaining and active cost reduction program.
  • The incumbent must also possess a high level of human relation's skills to be able to efficiently interact with individuals from varying work disciplines and cultural backgrounds.
  • Direct and compile capital budgeting; collect future capital project requirements from factory departments and compile into a final five-year capital budget. Control the currently fiscal year budget to ensure that the current factory needs are met as well as assuring that its needs are well positioned for the future.
  • Analyze and prepare appropriation requests; prepares and financially analyzes all capital and expense appropriation requests. This includes new facilities and equipment for factory operating improvements, capacity increases and replacement of equipment.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree in Engineering field
  • Strong communication skills are required for presentations to factory staffs on technical issues or specific project activity.
  • 3+ years of experience or full cycle Project Engineering experience.
  • Ability to read, analyzes, and interprets general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
  • Strong background in mechanical and hydraulic systems, packaging methods, and materials, electronics and computer applications, and electrical systems preferred.
  • Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
  • Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
  • Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis.
  • Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
  • Ability to work to flexible schedule including days, afternoons, midnights, and overtime as needed.

Our Total Rewards philosophy is to provide a meaningful and flexible spectrum of programs that equitably support our diverse workforce and their families and complement Kraft Heinz' strategy and values.
New Hire Base Salary Range:
$89,800.00 - $112,200.00
Bonus: This position is eligible for a performance-based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents.
The compensation offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors
Benefits: Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family's needs. Coverage for benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.
Wellbeing: We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.
You'll be able to participate in a variety of benefits and wellbeing programs that may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors, for example:
  • Physical - Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments
  • Social - Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training
  • Emotional - Employee Assistance Program , Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs
  • Financial - 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

Location(s)
New Ulm Plant
Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for protected individuals, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact NAZTAOps@kraftheinz.com for assistance.

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