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Special Projects Manager Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

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Special Projects Associate

Detroit, MI · On-site

$17/hr

... next job. 68% of our management team started in another job within our company, with a vast ... Special Project Ambassadors are often like the local caretakers in the public spaces they serve ...

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Special Projects Manager information

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$17K

$73.2K

$112.4K

How much do special projects manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for special projects manager in Michigan is $73,151.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $56,200.00 and $90,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a special projects manager do?

A special projects manager organizes, leads, and helps execute company projects that may fall outside the scope of regular duties. The specific responsibilities and purpose of projects vary, depending on the industry and type of organization. As a special projects manager, you ensure the scope of the project fits the budget and that staff complete each phase of the project within the scheduled timeline. Many special projects managers work their way up from lower-level positions once they have several years of experience in the industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a special projects manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Special Projects Manager, you need strong project management expertise, analytical thinking, and a relevant degree such as business or management. Familiarity with project management software (like Asana or MS Project), budgeting tools, and possibly PMP certification is typically required. Exceptional communication, adaptability, and leadership skills help navigate cross-functional teams and shifting project scopes. These abilities are crucial to effectively deliver complex projects on time and within budget, driving organizational success.

How does a special projects manager typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive project success?

Special Projects Managers often work closely with departments such as operations, finance, marketing, and IT to ensure projects align with organizational goals. They coordinate meetings, facilitate communication, and align team members on objectives and timelines. Building strong relationships and fostering open communication are essential, as these managers must often balance competing priorities and resolve conflicts. This collaborative approach not only streamlines project execution but also helps identify innovative solutions and best practices.

What is the difference between Special Projects Manager vs Project Coordinator?

AspectSpecial Projects ManagerProject Coordinator
CredentialsBachelor's degree; often PMP or related certificationsBachelor's degree; certifications are a plus
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple projects, strategic planningSupports project teams, handles administrative tasks
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in various industries for managing complex projectsCommon in corporate, non-profit, and government sectors
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding leadership and strategic rolesFocus on coordination and support tasks

The Special Projects Manager typically leads complex, strategic initiatives requiring advanced credentials and experience, while the Project Coordinator supports project execution through administrative and logistical tasks. Both roles are essential in project management but differ in scope and responsibility.

More about Special Projects Manager jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Special Projects jobs in Michigan?

The most popular types of Special Projects jobs in Michigan are:

What are popular job titles related to Special Projects Manager jobs in Michigan?

For Special Projects Manager jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Special Projects Manager jobs in Michigan look for?

The top searched job categories for Special Projects Manager jobs in Michigan are:

What cities in Michigan are hiring for Special Projects Manager jobs?

Cities in Michigan with the most Special Projects Manager job openings:

Special Projects Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Special Projects Manager job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $73,151 per year, or $35.2 per hour.

Manager, FCSD Special Projects

Ford Motor Company

Dearborn, MI • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Re-posted 4 days ago

Job description


In this position...
The Special Projects Manager is a new FCSD role responsible for leading high-priority,
time-sensitive initiatives that require disciplined project execution, strong cross-functional
coordination, and direct engagement with internal and external customers. This role will
manage detailed project plans, drive alignment across multiple stakeholders, remove
barriers to execution, and ensure deliverables are completed on time, with quality, and in
accordance with business objectives.
The ideal candidate is a structured operator and confident leader who can translate
ambiguous or urgent business needs into clear work plans, accountable owners,
milestones, risks, and decisions. This individual must be comfortable working in a fast
paced environment with timelines, shifting priorities, executive visibility, and customers
who expect a high level of responsiveness and follow-through.
Responsibilities
What you'll do...
  • Lead special projects from intake through completion, including scope definition, workplan development, milestone tracking, issue resolution, and final delivery.
  • Manage detailed integrated project plans that include objectives, deliverables, timing, dependencies, owners, risks, decision points, and escalation paths.
  • Coordinate cross-functional teams across business, operations, technical, customer-facing, finance, legal, purchasing, supply chain, field, and other support functions as required.
  • Drive project governance through regular status reviews, action item tracking, risk reviews, escalation routines, and leadership updates.
  • Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and accountability across project participants, ensuring each workstream understands expectations and deadlines.
  • Manage demanding customers and stakeholders with professionalism, urgency, and transparency, especially when timelines are rigid, or issues require rapid resolution.
  • Anticipate project risks, identify bottlenecks, and proactively develop mitigation plans to protect delivery timing and business outcomes.
  • Facilitate working sessions, problem-solving discussions, and decision forums to align stakeholders and move projects forward.
  • Prepare concise executive-level updates, including status summaries, key risks, decisions needed, help required, and next steps.
  • Track project performance against committed timelines, deliverables, and success measures, ensuring accurate and consistent reporting.
  • Lead issue resolution across teams when deliverables are delayed, requirements are unclear, or dependencies are not being met.
  • Maintain strong documentation, including project plans, meeting notes, action registers, risk logs, decision logs, and post-project lessons learned.
  • Support continuous improvement by identifying process gaps, simplifying workflows, and recommending repeatable project management practices.
  • Represent the organization in customer and leadership interactions, reinforcing accountability, responsiveness, and execution discipline.

Success Measures Success in this role will be measured by the ability to:
  • Deliver special projects on time and within agreed scope.
  • Maintain accurate, actionable project plans and status reporting.
    Improve cross-functional alignment and accountability.
  • Reduce project delays by proactively identifying and resolving risks.
  • Provide leadership with clear visibility to project status, decisions needed, and help required.
  • Strengthen customer and stakeholder confidence through responsive and disciplined project execution.
  • Establish repeatable project management practices that improve future execution.
  • Drive alignment and trust through effective communication.

Qualifications
You'll have...
  • Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, operations, supply chain, project management, or a related field
  • 4+ years of experience managing complex projects, programs, or operational initiatives with multiple stakeholders and interdependent workstreams.
  • 2+ years leading cross-functional teams of 5 or more members without direct authority, driving accountability across diverse functions.
  • Strong project management capability, including workplan creation, milestone tracking, risk management, and regular (e.g., weekly) executive-level reporting.
  • 2+ years of experience working directly with customers, senior leaders, or high-visibility stakeholders in a time-sensitive environment.
  • Proven ability to manage 3 or more concurrent priorities while maintaining attention to detail and delivery discipline.
  • High proficiency with project management, presentation, and productivity tools (e.g., MS Project, PowerPoint, Excel).
  • S.E. Michigan-based

Even better, you may have...
  • Management consulting or military experience is a plus.
  • Experience in automotive, manufacturing, service operations, customer success, parts, supply chain, technology, or other complex operating environments.
  • PMP certification, Lean Six Sigma certification, Agile experience, or equivalent project management training.
  • 2+ years of experience managing executive-level governance routines, transformation initiatives, customer escalation projects, or enterprise-wide workstreams.
  • Working proficiency with MS Project and Visio.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated experience simplifying complex issues for leadership decision-making.

You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!
As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder...or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:
  • Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
  • Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up childcare and more
  • Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
  • Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
  • Tuition assistance
  • Established and active employee resource groups
  • Paid time off for individual and team community service
  • A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year's Day
  • Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.
For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/LL6
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.
This position is hybrid. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week.
#LI-Hybrid
#LI-SS1
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About Ford

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Ford Motor Company, we believe freedom of movement drives human progress. With our incredible plans for the future of mobility, we have a wide variety of opportunities for you to accelerate your career and help us define tomorrow's transportation.

Industry

Civil engineering construction

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

Doral, FL, US

Year founded

1982

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