The Difference Between a Team Leader and a Team Coordinator
Team coordinators keep team members organized and focused on the project and goals at hand. A team leader trains, sets goals and aligns the team’s work with demands from higher management, clients and other stakeholders. The two positions are sometimes held by one person, depending on the size of the team and the type of work the team is responsible for.
Team Coordinator Position
A team coordinator is a type of supervisor in charge of overseeing the processes and details of how a team reaches a goal. Companies may look to fill coordinator positions through promotion from within or hiring from without.
A college degree is usually required as well as experience with the type of project being planned. Strong communication skills are necessary. Management skills are a plus. Technical knowledge of the particular project that the team is responsible for is essential because the team coordinator can be expected to oversee quality, systems, research or design related to the team’s project.
Supervising Team Processes
The job typically consists of making sure team members do their particular tasks correctly and complete a project as planned. The team coordinator assures that specifications of a project are met and that team members work together so their efforts are channeled toward the ultimate goal.
A coordinator can be expected to keep records, assign tasks and analyze processes. A coordinator makes sure the project is done efficiently, progresses stay on schedule and within budget, and meet the quality standards put forth by the company. Team members may or may not report directly to the team coordinator.
Team Leader Position
The team leader primarily focuses on the human resources of the team. Team leaders can be former supervisors or experienced managers from within the company or hired anew. A college degree is usually required for this type of management job.
Team leaders must balance the needs of a team with the needs of upper management and how the team’s work aligns with overall company or client goals. A team leader reports obstacles on the horizon and communicates with the team coordinator about changes in plans. Strong communication and leadership skills are essential. Team members and team coordinators report to team leaders.
Managing Team Members
A team leader sets the team in a direction to research, design, build, implement, maintain or improve something in accordance with the company’s overall vision. As a company manager, a team leader is in charge of creating and communicating the project goals, quality standards, schedules, deadlines and budget to the team coordinator and team members assigned to the project.
Making sure team members are trained and coached properly throughout the project is a priority for a team leader. Evaluating team member's performance is part of the job, as well as making recommendations to the team coordinator regarding rewarding members for strong performance or guiding weaker performers to improve.
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Writer Bio
A writer since 1995, Christian Fisher is an author specializing in personal empowerment and professional success. From 2000 to 2005, he wrote true stories of human triumph for "Woman's World" magazine. Since 2004, he has also helped launch businesses including a music licensing company and a music school.