Free Position Description (Project Manager) Template

Purpose of the Free Position Description (Project Manager) Template

Defining roles and responsibilities with clarity is the cornerstone of a safe and efficient workplace. This is particularly true for leadership roles like a Project Manager, who hold significant influence over project outcomes and workplace safety.

Our free Position Description (Project Manager) Template provides a comprehensive framework for outlining the key duties, qualifications, and accountabilities for this critical position. A well-drafted Position Description (PD) ensures that candidates and role-holders understand their specific WHS obligations from day one, integrating safety leadership into the core of their function.

Using a structured template helps formalise expectations and creates a clear benchmark for performance. It articulates how the Project Manager's role contributes to the organisation's broader safety objectives and is an essential document within effective WHS management systems. By clearly detailing responsibilities such as risk management, incident reporting, and safety leadership, you create an environment where safety is a shared, understood, and measurable part of project delivery.

How to use the Free Position Description (Project Manager) Template

This template is designed for ease of use and customisation. Simply download the document in your preferred format (DOCX for easy editing or PDF for straightforward printing) and adapt it to your business needs.

The document is structured with sections for position details, primary objectives, key responsibilities (including WHS-specific duties), necessary qualifications, and reporting lines.

Fill in the bracketed information with details specific to your organisation and the project environment. It is crucial to review and add responsibilities that reflect the unique hazards and operational requirements of your workplace.

Clearly defining these elements is vital for achieving certifications like ISO 45001, for which expert ISO 45001 consulting can be invaluable.

Important: This resource is a template and must be adapted to your specific operational context. We strongly advise that you customise this document to align with your organisation's structure, risk profile, and legal obligations.

It is not a substitute for professional legal or WHS advice.

When to use it

A Position Description for a Project Manager should be utilised at several key stages of the employment and management lifecycle. Its primary use is during the recruitment and hiring process to attract suitable candidates and provide them with a clear understanding of the role's expectations.

It forms the basis for interview questions and candidate evaluation, ensuring you hire someone with the right skills and safety mindset.

Beyond recruitment, this document is invaluable for onboarding new Project Managers, setting performance goals, and conducting performance reviews. It also serves as a critical reference point when project scopes change or new risks are identified, helping to clarify roles and responsibilities. Regularly reviewing the PD formalises their accountability for safety outcomes, an area often scrutinised during WHS compliance auditing.

Who should use it

This template is intended for use by anyone involved in defining roles and managing personnel within an organisation. This typically includes:

• Human Resources (HR) Managers: For creating consistent and comprehensive job ads and employment contracts.
• Hiring Managers and Department Heads: To ensure alignment between the role's requirements and the team's operational needs.
• Company Directors and Senior Leaders: To establish clear lines of accountability for WHS and project delivery at a leadership level.
• WHS Professionals: To ensure that safety responsibilities are properly embedded and articulated within key operational roles.

For organisations needing to better integrate safety duties into their management roles but are unsure where to start, seeking expert WHS consulting can provide tailored guidance and support. You can also explore our comprehensive free WHS resources library for more tools to support your safety management efforts.