Associate Project Manager - OPM Construction - Project Controls

Overview 

The Associate Project Manager supports project execution across key phases of design, permitting, construction, occupancy, and closeout, with a strong focus on project controls, schedule management, cost tracking, risk mitigation, and performance reporting.

This role assists in coordinating deliverables, managing documentation, tracking progress, and facilitating stakeholder communications. Working under the guidance of senior project leaders, the Associate Project Manager contributes to operational efficiency and the client experience while steadily developing technical and strategic skills. The position also includes supporting junior team members and learning to take ownership of discrete project components. 

Responsibilities 

• Project Coordination & Task Execution: Support daily activities across all project phases to ensure delivery aligns with project schedules, budgets, and performance objectives. Assist in tracking milestones, critical path activities, schedule updates, and project dependencies.

• Client & Team Communication: Participate in internal and client-facing meetings, capturing notes and helping relay updates. Contribute to maintaining transparent, consistent communication across teams. 

• Documentation & Milestone Tracking: Prepare and maintain project controls documentation including schedules, status reports, action trackers, schedule updates, and project dashboards used to monitor progress and key performance indicators.

• Progress Monitoring & Reporting: Collect, analyze, and compile project data to support progress reporting, schedule forecasting, and cost tracking. Partner with project leads to identify schedule variances, budget impacts, and potential project risks.

• Contract & Compliance Support: Review basic contract terms to understand scope and constraints. Support alignment of project tasks with contractual obligations. 

• Financial Administrative Tasks:  Assist with project financial controls including invoice tracking, change order management, budget monitoring, forecasting support, and maintenance of project cost logs.
• Project Controls Support: Assist in maintaining project schedules, cost reports, risk registers, and project performance metrics. Support project teams in monitoring variances and preparing recommendations for corrective action when needed.

• Meeting Preparation & Follow-Up: Help schedule and organize meetings, draft agendas, and coordinate follow-ups to ensure action items are completed. 

• Stakeholder Engagement & Coordination: Shadow project leads in interacting with contractors, designers, and client contacts. Begin taking ownership of specific stakeholder communications under supervision. 

• Procurement & Logistics Support: Manage assigned tasks related to procurement and relocation coordination. Work directly with vendors to meet operational requirements. 

• Team Collaboration & Peer Support: Foster team collaboration through positive, dependable participation. Support peer learning and offer assistance to newer team members as appropriate. 

 

Requirements

 

Preferred experience: Experience supporting Owner's Project Management (OPM), owner's representative, higher education, healthcare, laboratory, institutional, or large-scale commercial construction projects.

Required Experience 

• Typically, 2+ years in construction project coordination, facilities, or related project work 

• Experience supporting construction projects with documentation, reporting, schedule tracking, budget monitoring, and project controls activities.

• Familiarity with industry standards and project management tools 
  

Skills 

• Strong organizational and time management abilities 

• Clear written and verbal communication 

• Detail-oriented approach to scheduling and documentation 

• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and project scheduling software

• Willingness to take initiative and ask clarifying questions 

• Ability to learn technical skills and offer peer support 
• Experience tracking schedules, budgets, and project performance metrics
• Familiarity with project controls methodologies and reporting practices
  
• Ability to analyze project data and identify schedule or cost variances

Personal Attributes 

• Self-motivated and curious; eager to build professional capabilities 

• Adaptable and calm under pressure 

• Team-oriented with a focus on reliability and follow-through 

• Client-conscious with a desire to contribute to high-quality service 

• Enthusiastic about learning and collaborating across disciplines