what is a coordinator?

As a coordinator, you put together various resources and elements to complete a project or plan an event. The projects or tasks you coordinate should appear in the job title. If you work in construction organising work schedules and teams, you are a project coordinator. The primary purpose of coordinating is to achieve specific objectives and ensure operations run smoothly. That means you have to create a detailed plan for executing a project and write a report detailing the successes and failures.

what does a coordinator do?

As a coordinator, you organise teams and work closely with project managers and other managers. You also communicate with external stakeholders to ensure the project standards meet expectations. If the project has a project manager, the coordinator handles the administrative tasks like answering phone calls, taking notes in meetings and providing customer service. You also oversee budgeting and supervise vendors of a project.

Since coordinators work in various industries, their skillsets are diverse. However, successful coordinators are efficient, organised and have good interpersonal skills. It is crucial to be an excellent planner to synchronise and execute complex tasks with different groups. 

Would working as a coordinator suit your strategic planning and organisational skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a coordinator role.
 

coordinator jobs
1

average salary of a coordinator

According to ONS, the average salary of a coordinator in the UK is £24,000 annually. When starting your career, your earnings are about £20,001 per year. The base salary increases to £32,500 per year as you gain more experience and improve your skills. While a coordinator is an entry-level position, you will enjoy various benefits in your compensation package. Most companies provide medical insurance and various allowances to facilitate your job. Some employers also contribute to your pension scheme or provide paid vacation time. Bonuses and overtime pay are also common in the role.

how to increase your salary as a coordinator

You can increase your wages by improving your skills and qualifications since the pay structure often relies on educational qualifications and work experience. Some industries also pay coordinators more due to the complexity of the tasks. For instance, coordinators working in construction or manufacturing industries earn more than office coordinators. The company or project size may also influence the compensation package. When you work in a big company, you handle massive projects or plan large events, increasing your salary. Major companies have the resources to provide comprehensive compensation packages, unlike small companies with limited budgets. Working in urban locations also improves your salary prospects due to the high demand for coordinators.
 

Female smiling, sitting on a table with pen in her hands
Female smiling, sitting on a table with pen in her hands
2

types of coordinators

Some of the coordinator jobs you can pursue include:

  • programme coordinator: as a programme coordinator, you work for non-profit organisations, educational institutions or community outreach organisations. Your job is to plan and implement various programmes that benefit the target group. You will be in charge of administrative duties like preparing reports, managing support staff, scheduling events and managing budgets for the programme.
  • project coordinator: as a project coordinator, you handle administrative tasks for the project manager and team members. You ensure the project runs smoothly by ordering equipment or supplies and managing workflows and deadlines. You also keep track of the budget and schedule meetings for project managers.
  • event coordinator: as an event coordinator, you make sure event plans work properly. You complete specific tasks to ensure a successful event, like meeting vendors and running errands for the event planning team.
     
3

working as a coordinator

If you like making detailed plans for events or projects, you will enjoy working as a coordinator. Let's check out your work schedule and daily tasks.
 

4

education and skills

Coordinator jobs require minimal educational qualifications, and you do not need a degree to start your career. A Higher National Diploma (HND) in a relevant subject will help you secure a job. You can study for a bachelor's degree in project management or a relevant field of study. Most universities require at least 1 or 2 A Levels to start a foundation or undergraduate degree. Aside from academic qualifications, you need work experience to gain skills in your role.

skills and competencies

Some of the skills and competencies that coordinators require include:

  • communication: as a coordinator, you should have good communication skills for clear written and verbal interactions. Communication skills help you articulate plans, schedules, workflows and directions and provide clear instructions. It is crucial to communicate event plans and logistical requirements to other employees concisely to avoid problems during planning. You also regularly communicate with clients and vendors, and communication skills help you convey instructions and explain the project execution plan.
  • leadership skills: while becoming a coordinator is not a managerial position, you are in charge of supervising other team members. Leadership skills will help you guide and motivate employees towards a goal and ensure events run according to plan.
  • problem-solving skills: as a coordinator, you need to identify inefficient areas and resolve issues that arise during project execution. With problem-solving skills, you can think on your feet and provide remedies to problems and project delays.
  • time management skills: as a coordinator, you ensure projects are completed within the stipulated timelines. That means you need to manage time effectively and ensure the work schedules are adhered to by team members. Time management skills also help you juggle multiple tasks at the same time.
     
two colleagues having a meeting in a meeting room
two colleagues having a meeting in a meeting room
5

FAQs

FAQs about working as a coordinator

thank you for subscribing to your personalised job alerts.