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Associate Project Leader Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Exempt The Senior Project Controls Associate is responsible for delivering detailed and timely ... Strong leadership and communication, and ability to meet deadlines * Strong organization skills and ...

Exempt The Senior Project Controls Associate is responsible for delivering detailed and timely ... Strong leadership and communication, and ability to meet deadlines * Strong organization skills and ...

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Associate Project Leader information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$14

$31

$52

How much do associate project leader jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for associate project leader in Chicago, IL is $31.25, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.82 and $36.68 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate project leader?

Associate Project Leaders are professionals who assist in planning, executing, and closing projects under the guidance of a Project Leader or Manager. They help coordinate project activities, manage timelines, communicate with stakeholders, and ensure project deliverables are met within scope, budget, and schedule. Associate Project Leaders often serve as a bridge between team members and upper management, helping to resolve issues and keep the project on track. This role is ideal for those looking to gain experience in project management and develop leadership skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate project leader, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Project Leader, you need strong project management skills, organizational abilities, and typically a bachelor’s degree in business, management, or a related field. Familiarity with project management tools like Microsoft Project, Asana, or Trello, and sometimes a certification like CAPM or PMP, is highly beneficial. Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills help you coordinate teams and manage stakeholder expectations. These skills are crucial for delivering projects on time, within scope, and ensuring team alignment throughout the project lifecycle.

What is the difference between Associate Project Leader vs Project Coordinator?

AspectAssociate Project LeaderProject Coordinator
CredentialsBachelor's degree, relevant certifications (e.g., PMP)Bachelor's degree often preferred, certifications less common
Work EnvironmentInvolved in project planning, execution, and team coordinationFocuses on administrative tasks, scheduling, and communication
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in industries like construction, IT, and engineeringCommon across various industries for project support roles

The Associate Project Leader typically has more responsibility in project execution and team leadership compared to a Project Coordinator, who mainly handles administrative and logistical tasks. Both roles require strong organizational skills, but the Associate Project Leader often participates more actively in decision-making and project management processes.

How does an associate project leader typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during a project?

As an Associate Project Leader, you will frequently coordinate with cross-functional teams such as engineering, marketing, finance, and operations to ensure project milestones are achieved on schedule. This involves facilitating regular meetings, clearly communicating project goals, tracking progress, and addressing any roadblocks that arise. Effective collaboration requires strong interpersonal and organizational skills, as you’ll often need to gather input from various stakeholders and align team efforts with overall project objectives.
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Associate Project Leader jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Associate Project Leader job openings:
Infographic showing various Associate Project Leader job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $64,996 per year, or $31.2 per hour.

Sr. Associate, Project Controls

RWE

Chicago, IL

$103K - $145K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 16 days ago


Job description


RWE Americas, LLC
To start as soon as possible, full time, permanent
Functional area: Finance / Controlling; Project Management
Remuneration: Exempt

The Senior Project Controls Associate is responsible for delivering detailed and timely project control reports, managing recurring budget activities, and conducting advanced analyses of project performance. This role ensures financial accuracy, supports compliance, and provides strategic insights to drive project success across multiple workstreams.

Role Responsibilities: 

  • Collaborate with Preconstruction, Execution Project Managers, and Controllers to deliver comprehensive project control reports, including schedule, cost, and budget performance
  • Take ownership of recurring budget activities such as forecasting, accruals, and weekly financial snapshots, ensuring alignment with project milestones
  • Conduct advanced analyses of project performance metrics and variances (OKRs); validate contractor invoices and change orders, and support resolution discussions
  • Support Tax Equity deliverables and Purchase Requisiton (PR) processes, ensuring compliance; accuracy and integrity of SAP project expenditure data; and timely execution of project financial workflows
  • Maintain and enhance dashboards, trackers and SharePoint documentation to ensure accuracy and usability for stakeholders
  • Identify and communicate risks or inconsistencies in project data, recommending process improvements for efficiency and accuracy
  • Analyze root causes, uncover risks and opportunities, and document lessons learned for future optimization
  • Accurately forecast complex financial cash expenditures and expertly manage accruals
  • Conduct in-depth performance analysis of actual spend against budget, utilizing advanced analytical tools to provide strategic insights and recommendations
  • Efficiently create, monitor, and implement purchase orders, continuously tracking their progress and ensuring execution in accordance with organizational policies and procedures
  • Facilitate review sessions for assigned projects to align teams and resolve issues, with support from senior team members
  • Build relationships and networks with internal and external partners, adapting communication style to advise on complex matters

Job Requirements and Experience:

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field
  • Minimum of 3 years of experience in project controls, financial analysis, or a related discipline
  • Strong interpersonal skills, with ability to manage customer relationships
  • Demonstrated desire to learn about the Company and the renewables space
  • Applies working knowledge of project controls processes across multiple projects.
  • Proficient in manipulating and validating data across systems.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data interpretation skills.
  • Excellent proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) and Teams
  • Strong leadership and communication, and ability to meet deadlines
  • Strong organization skills and ability to coordinate multiple tasks and deliverables
  • Ability to multi-task, while working independently and as part of a team
  • Motivated self-starter, goal-oriented, and strong problem-solving abilities
  • Proven ability to empathize, build relationships, and effectively communicate with people from a diverse set of backgrounds
  • Responds well to direction, is easy to challenge and develop, and is coachable
  • Is detail-oriented, has strong business acumen, and a sound understanding of business concepts
  • This position is an office-based role with some travel and visits to other RWEA offices and field locations
  • Must be able to sit, walk, or stand for long durations of time

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. RWE Americas is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas at this time. 

Pay range: The annual base salary range for this position in Illinois is $103,000 - $145,000. The listed salary range represents our good faith estimate for this position and represents the range for new hire salaries across all U.S locations. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. RWE considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's education & work experience, training & certifications, and key skills as well as market and business considerations at the time of the offer.

Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays. Eligible employees also participate in short-term incentives, in addition to salary.

Apply with just a few clicks: ad code 92591. Any questions? Contact HR:  rwe_americas_recruiting@rwe.com

We look forward to meeting you. Of course, you can find us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Xing, too.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

RWE Americas, a subsidiary of RWE, is a US-based energy company that is helping to meet the growing demand for energy across the United States. Backed by RWE's 125-year global legacy of managing diverse power assets, RWE Americas operates approximately 13 GW of power projects across 27 states. With a talented workforce of 2,000 employees, RWE Americas develops, constructs and operates wind, solar and battery storage projects that safely deliver affordable, reliable electricity to our customers. Committed to responsible development, RWE Americas invests in local and rural communities, creating jobs and partnering with stakeholders to support and strengthen the places where we live and work. Learn more about how RWE Americas is generating impact at americas.rwe.com.

At RWE Americas, we foster a culture defined by our Essential Behaviors - Have Courage, Create Impact and Actively Collaborate. We encourage bold thinking and continuous learning, and we value ownership, resilience and inclusion in everything we do. When you join us, you become part of a team that supports your development, respects your contributions and celebrates shared success. This is a place where you can grow your career and make a meaningful difference.