Associate Consultant

Integrated Project Management Company•Chicago, IL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

IPM’s Strategy Realization Office (SRO) Associate Consultant role is designed to develop project management, consulting, and technology-enabled execution capabilities in preparation for future client-facing engagements. The selected candidate will spend approximately 6 to 12 months working internally in the SRO alongside experienced IPM consultants and leaders, learning IPM’s methodologies, tools, and delivery standards. During this development period, the candidate will contribute to internal strategic initiatives, operational improvements, and capability-building efforts. After successfully completing the development period, the candidate will transition into a client-facing Associate Consultant role. The rotation’s duration depends on experience, performance, and client demand. The role supports planning and execution of internal initiatives and projects, builds foundational project management and consulting skills, and uses project-management, collaboration, data, and AI-enabled tools to improve execution and decision-making. It also provides exposure to IPM’s service offerings, industry focus areas, and Centers of Excellence to prepare the candidate for future client engagements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, technology, or a related field.
0–3 years of professional experience or demonstrated exposure to project-based work, consulting, operations, analytics, or technology-enabled roles.
Strong interest in developing a career in consulting, project management, strategy realization, or technology-enabled execution.
Ability to learn quickly, adapt to new situations, and apply feedback in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages to different audiences.
Relationship-building skills, including the ability to establish credibility, collaborate effectively, and build trust with teammates, leaders, and stakeholders at varying organizational levels.
Comfort working independently and as part of a highly collaborative team.
Curiosity and aptitude for using technology, including emerging AI-enabled tools, to improve efficiency, analysis, communication, and project execution.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with project management, collaboration, data, or AI-enabled productivity tools.

Responsibilities

Support the planning and execution of internal strategic initiatives, programs, and projects aligned with IPM priorities.
Learn and apply IPM’s project management and consulting frameworks, standards, and best practices.
Develop foundational project management skills, including scope definition, schedule development, risk and issue management, and stakeholder communication.
Partner with experienced IPM consultants to observe and support client-style delivery, problem solving, and decision-making.
Contribute to project artifacts, work plans, analyses, and executive-level communications.
Present status updates to build presentation skills and executive presence.
Use project management, collaboration, and digital workflow tools, such as Smartsheet, MS Project, and emerging AI-enabled platforms, to support planning, execution, and insight generation.
Apply data, analytics, and AI-enabled tools to improve visibility, efficiency, and decision-making across internal initiatives and projects.
Explore and pilot new tools, technologies, and AI use cases to enhance IPM’s internal ways of working and client delivery approaches.
Build consulting skills, including structured problem solving, hypothesis-driven thinking, and professional communication.
Prepare for future client engagements by gaining exposure to IPM’s service offerings, industry focus areas, and Centers of Excellence.