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Associate Project Director Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Michels Corporation

Position Summary As an Associate Project Manager , you will be under direct supervision, serving as project support by planning, organizing, and implementing project management principles. This ...

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All JobsAssociate Project JobsAssociate Project Director JobsAssociate Project Director Jobs in Illinois

Associate Project Director information

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$13

$29

$49

How much do associate project director jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for associate project director in Illinois is $29.37, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.57 and $34.47 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate project director?

An Associate Project Director is a professional who assists in overseeing and managing projects within an organization, typically working under the direction of a Project Director or senior manager. Their responsibilities include coordinating project activities, managing budgets and timelines, supporting project teams, and ensuring that project goals are met efficiently. They often act as a bridge between the project staff and upper management, helping to resolve issues and keep projects on track. This role is crucial in ensuring that projects are completed successfully, on time, and within budget.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate project director?

To thrive as an Associate Project Director, you need strong project management skills, expertise in budgeting and scheduling, and a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Familiarity with project management software such as MS Project or Asana, and certifications like PMP or PRINCE2, are commonly required. Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities help you manage teams and stakeholders effectively. These skills ensure successful project delivery, efficient resource management, and alignment with organizational goals.

What are some common challenges faced by an associate project director when managing multiple projects simultaneously?

As an Associate Project Director, one of the main challenges is balancing priorities across multiple projects, each with its own timelines, stakeholders, and resource needs. Effective time management and clear communication are essential to ensure projects stay on schedule and within scope. Additionally, collaborating with cross-functional teams and addressing unforeseen issues quickly can be demanding but also rewarding. Successful Associate Project Directors often rely on strong organizational skills and proactive problem-solving to keep all projects aligned with organizational goals.

What is the difference between Associate Project Director vs Project Manager?

AspectAssociate Project DirectorProject Manager
CredentialsBachelor's degree; often PMP or similar certificationsBachelor's degree; PMP or equivalent certification often preferred
Work EnvironmentSupports senior leadership; involved in strategic planningManages day-to-day project activities and teams
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in large corporations, government, and consulting firmsWidely used across industries for project execution

The Associate Project Director typically supports higher-level strategic initiatives and works closely with senior leadership, whereas the Project Manager focuses on managing project execution and team coordination. Both roles require similar credentials and are prevalent in large organizations, but their responsibilities differ in scope and level of seniority.

What are the most commonly searched types of Project Director jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Project Director jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Associate Project Director jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Associate Project Director job openings:

Associate Project Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Project Director job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $61,091 per year, or $29.4 per hour.

Project Director-Industrial Construction

Kimmel & Associates

Chicago, IL • On-site

$185K - $235K/yr

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

New

Job description

About the Company
Our client is a privately held design-build contractor specializing in heavy industrial construction. With approximately $300 million in annual revenue, the company delivers complex projects across food & beverage, agriculture, and industrial processing markets.
Projects typically range from $20 million to $200 million and are executed throughout North America. The company combines deep industry expertise with a hands-on, collaborative approach to project delivery.
About the Position
We are seeking an experienced Project Director to lead major heavy industrial construction projects from award through completion and closeout.
This is a hands-on leadership role with overall responsibility for project execution, safety, schedule, budget, quality, client satisfaction, and team performance. The Project Director will serve as the central leader coordinating clients, engineering, estimating, procurement, project management, construction, subcontractors, vendors, and field teams.
Key Responsibilities
  • Lead overall project execution from award through completion and closeout.
  • Direct project teams and establish clear goals, schedules, budgets, and expectations.
  • Build strong client relationships and proactively resolve issues.
  • Lead planning for manpower, equipment, materials, subcontractors, logistics, and scheduling.
  • Manage project costs, financial performance, and change orders.
  • Coordinate engineering, procurement, fabrication, construction, commissioning, and turnover.
  • Identify project risks and develop practical solutions.
  • Lead Project Managers, Superintendents, Estimators, Engineers, and other project personnel.
  • Monitor subcontractor and vendor performance.
  • Manage RFIs, submittals, claims, changes, and other commercial matters.
  • Maintain strong safety and quality standards.
  • Communicate project performance, risks, financials, and major issues to company leadership.
  • Support estimating and business development with constructability, execution, manpower, schedule, and risk input.
  • Ensure project documentation, turnover, punch lists, and closeout are completed properly.

Requirements
  • Significant experience leading large-scale heavy industrial construction projects.
  • Proven ability to manage projects involving multiple contractors, trades, vendors, and stakeholders.
  • Strong knowledge of industrial construction methods, sequencing, scheduling, and project controls.
  • Demonstrated experience managing budgets, costs, change orders, and financial performance.
  • Strong leadership skills with the ability to build accountability and team respect.
  • Excellent communication and client relationship skills.
  • Ability to make timely decisions and take ownership of project challenges.
  • Experience in food & beverage, agriculture, industrial processing, or related heavy industrial construction is highly desirable.

Benefits
  • $185,000-$235,000 base salary
  • Lucrative bonus program
  • Profit sharing
  • Corporate-based leadership role
  • Approximately 25% travel
  • Opportunity to lead projects ranging from $20M-$200M
  • Exposure to major industrial projects throughout North America
  • Long-term career opportunity with a privately held company with 100+ years of industry experience
Kimmel & Associates logo

About Kimmel & Associates

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Kimmel & Associates, based in Asheville, NC, US, is recognized as the premier leader in the executive search and recruitment industry. The company, in operation since 1981, serves numerous industries including construction, supply chain, waste, and recycling, specialty contractors, and private equity. Utilizing their exceptional knowledge and robust industry connections, they assist clients by filling crucial executive and managerial roles that directly impact business performance and growth. The company is guided by a strong corporate philosophy centered on respect, listening, humility, and continuous improvement. Their mission is to foster enduring relationships and to help industries thrive by connecting the brightest talent with superior companies.

Industry

Recruiting and staffing services

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

Asheville, NC, US

Year founded

1981

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