Need a Project Manager? Consider Hiring Offshore

Maybe you're a startup juggling multiple deadlines or an already established company struggling to keep everything on track. Either way, you need a project manager—someone to organize tasks, keep teams aligned, and make sure everything runs smoothly. Project managers play a key role in ensuring project success.

But have you thought about hiring offshore? It can seem challenging at first, given the possible communication barriers of working with someone outside of the country. 

Yet, when done right, offshore project management can unlock a world of possibilities—helping you gain access to global talent, cost efficiencies, and more.

In this article, we'll explain the reasons why hiring an offshore project manager makes sense, the skills and qualities to look for, and the best companies to consider.

Why You Should Consider Hiring Your Project Manager Offshore

Remote work is becoming the new standard. In recent years, 35% of new businesses have hired fully remote employees, while 22% have adopted a hybrid model.

As flexible work becomes more common, hiring offshore isn't as far-fetched anymore. If a role can be done remotely, then your talent doesn't need to be in the same city—or even the same country.

An offshore project manager is a professional based in another country who oversees projects, teams, and deadlines. While they excel at managing offshore development teams, they can also handle in-house or hybrid teams.

But why hire offshore specifically? Now that you’ve been eased into the idea of remote hiring, here are the biggest reasons to consider hiring your project manager offshore:

• Lower costs: Operational expenses, including annual salaries, and costs of living are lower in many regions outside the US, so you can hire an experienced offshore project manager at a more cost-effective rate.
• Access to specialized talent: Expanding your search beyond local candidates increases your chances of finding a project manager with the specific expertise you need.
• Experienced in remote work culture: Offshore project managers know how to communicate effectively, manage productivity, and coordinate remote and hybrid teams across time zones.
• Enhanced productivity: If your business operates globally, an offshore project manager in a different time zone can keep work moving even when your local team is offline. For greater efficiency during US work hours, nearshoring offers the benefits of overlapping time zones.
• Manage risks: Offshore project managers are accustomed to navigating risks like time zone misalignment, legal requirements, and cultural differences, as they frequently work with remote teams. They can proactively identify and address issues unique to your operation, ensuring smooth project execution.

If real-time collaboration is a concern, nearshore hiring makes a lot of sense. US businesses can hire from nearby regions like Latin America (LatAm), which is similar to hiring a remote project manager in another US city—except with added savings and access to a larger pool of specialized talent.

Best types of projects for hiring an offshore project manager

Remote project management might not be suitable for every business. Here are some types of projects that are well suited for hiring offshore project managers:

• Software development: Many offshore development companies specialize in building remote software teams. An offshore project manager with expertise in Agile and Scrum can efficiently coordinate these developers in remote working environments.
• Digital marketing: Campaigns and deadlines can all be managed online using various tools for communication and performance tracking.
• E-commerce and supply chain: Logistics, vendor relationships, and inventory management often don't require a full in-office presence.
• Creative and design: Content creation, branding, and web design rely on digital collaboration, which offshore project managers excel at handling. 

If your business already operates remotely with offshore development teams or manages projects primarily online, an offshore project manager can be a strong asset.

The Skills and Qualities to Look For in an Offshore Project Manager

Effectively managing teams, especially from a distance, requires a unique skill set. Here are the essential skills and qualities to look for in an offshore project manager:

• Team management across different work arrangements: Leads and motivates teams based on how you run your business, whether fully remote, in-office, or a mix of both, for seamless coordination and accountability.
• Technical and industry knowledge: Understands project-specific tools, workflows, and best practices applied to your industry, like software development, construction, marketing, or other fields.
• Risk management and problem-solving: Anticipates challenges and potential risks, from resource constraints to shifting project requirements, and develops strategies for overcoming them.
• Safety and regulatory compliance: Navigates industry regulations, labor laws, and safety standards to maintain compliance across different locations.
• Project planning and budgeting: Allocates resources wisely, tracks costs, and prevents budget overruns, regardless of team structure.
• Adaptability and resilience: Handles shifting priorities, unexpected delays, and team changes without compromising project goals or quality standards.
• Communication and stakeholder management: Keeps stakeholders informed and aligned, from executives to clients to team members, both locally and internationally.
• Technical software proficiency: Accustomed to using project management tools like Jira, Trello, Asana, and Microsoft Project to streamline workflows and foster collaboration and effective communication.

A skilled offshore project manager brings structure and efficiency to any team. Finding someone with these qualities keeps your projects organized and on schedule.

5 Companies That Can Help You Hire an Offshore Project Manager

Finding the right offshore project manager can be overwhelming, especially if you're not entirely familiar with international hiring. 

This list has you covered.In no specific order, here are some of the top staffing and recruitment companies for hiring project managers.

1. Near

We're first on the list because we know exactly what it takes to connect businesses with the right talent. It's what we do best. 

Near helps companies build high-performing teams by sourcing top professionals across LatAm. Our project managers bring years of experience relevant to their fields, and we boast an approach built on personalized solutions and full support throughout the hiring process.

Key features:

• Focus: Connecting businesses with skilled professionals across LatAm
• Services: End-to-end recruitment and team scaling
• Pricing: A monthly fee per hire, varying by role; transparent pricing and no upfront fees

2. Airswift

Airswift has been delivering international workforce solutions for over 40 years. With corporate hubs in the US, UK, and Singapore and 60 regional offices worldwide, the company provides businesses with engineering and technology professionals across multiple sectors. 

Its project managers hold certifications such as Project Management Professional (PMP), PRINCE2, and Association of Project Management (APM).

Key features:

• Focus: Global recruitment solutions for STEM industries
• Services: Talent acquisition, employer of record (EOR), workforce and HR consulting, recruitment process outsourcing, managed service provider
• Industries: Renewable energy, oil and gas, technology, process, infrastructure, and mining

3. BorderlessMind

BorderlessMind connects businesses with talent across India, Eastern Europe, Asia, and LatAm. Since 1999, it has been a trusted partner for remote staff augmentation, offering what they describe as the top 5% of talent—including experienced project managers—who are screened through rigorous technical and non-technical assessments.

The company works with brands both inside and outside of the US, including Hyatt and the University of Auckland.

Key features:

• Focus: Remote offshore, nearshore, and onshore staff augmentation solutions
• Engagement models: Dedicated team, time and material, cost plus, build-operate-transfer
• Specialization breakdown: IT staff augmentation (80%), back-office outsourcing (15%), HR consulting (5%) (via Clutch)

3. RemoteHirely

Founded in Australia, RemoteHirely matches businesses with remote professionals from the Philippines.

The company offers offshore talent for a range of project management roles, including digital project managers, technical project managers, delivery managers, and marketing project managers. 

Key features:

• Focus: Providing businesses with dedicated offshore staff
• Industries: IT, solar power, accounting, construction, professional services, finance, and legal field
• Pricing: All-inclusive monthly packages with fixed fees based on role, experience, and business requirements

4. Outsourced

In its 10 years in business, Outsourced has worked with more than 250 clients and employs over 1,000 full-time staff. 

A Philippines-based company, it specializes in offshore staffing for technical and IT project management roles. Its project managers follow PMI Global Standards, handling everything from initial planning to project completion. Delivery centers operate 24/7 to support businesses everywhere.

Key features:

• Focus: Offshore staffing with Filipino talent
• Services: Full-time remote staff offshoring and dedicated offshore staffing
• Specialization Breakdown: Back office outsourcing (15%), customer service outsourcing (15%), finance and accounting outsourcing (FAO) (15%), HR outsourcing (15%), IT staff augmentation (15%), staffing (15%), call center services (10%) (via Clutch)

Final Thoughts

If your project management can be handled remotely, there's no reason to limit your search to local candidates. The right offshore project manager keeps quality high while staying within your budget.

Near helps companies hire exceptional project managers in LatAm through a personalized, comprehensive process. We know the potential that LatAm professionals bring, and we can provide unparalleled support to help you find the perfect project manager for your project.

Get a list of pre-vetted candidates and see firsthand the quality and cost savings you can expect. Find top talent with us, then interview and hire in under 21 days.