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Project Operations Associate Jobs in Chicago, IL

Tavern Research

Business Operations Associate

Chicago, IL · On-site

$78K - $93K/yr

Business Operations Associate Location: Chicago, IL Office: 3 days/week in South Loop office ... Experience with some combination of: strategic and operational projects, contracts/legal ops ...

Core Spaces

Associate, Cash Operations

Chicago, IL · On-site

Perform additional duties and projects assigned * Must be able to complete all physical ... Senior Associate, Cash Operations Direct Reports: N/A Disclaimer Please note that job ...

M1 Finance

Broker Operations Associate

Chicago, IL

$70K - $85K/yr

Collaborate with strategy, product managers and engineering on projects to help launch, improve, and scale Invest Operations processes and systems and contribute to overall success of M1. * Perform ...

M1 Finance

Broker Operations Associate

Chicago, IL

Collaborate with strategy, product managers and engineering on projects to help launch, improve, and scale Invest Operations processes and systems and contribute to overall success of M1. 

M1 Finance

Broker Operations Associate

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$70K - $85K/yr

Collaborate with strategy, product managers and engineering on projects to help launch, improve, and scale Invest Operations processes and systems and contribute to overall success of M1. * Perform ...

Vizient

Data Operations Associate II

Chicago, IL

$68K - $116K/yr

Collaborate with project managers, engineers, and cross-functional partners to resolve data-related ... Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects in a high-volume operational environment ...

TekWissen LLC

Project Manager

Glenview, IL · On-site

The Associate Project Manager for Quality lies within the North America FSQ function. Get ready for ... You're constantly looking for improvement activities within Food Safety & Quality, EPDM Operations ...

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All JobsProject Operations Associate JobsProject Operations Associate Jobs in Chicago, IL

Project Operations Associate information

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$27

$54

How much do project operations associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for project operations associate in Chicago, IL is $27.04, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.32 and $31.20 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

AspectProject Operations AssociateProject Coordinator
Required CredentialsTypically a bachelor's degree in business, management, or related field; some certifications like PMP or CAPM are a plusUsually a bachelor's degree; certifications like CAPM can be beneficial but are not mandatory
Work EnvironmentSupports project execution, manages resources, and ensures operational efficiency within project teamsAssists in planning, scheduling, and coordinating project activities and communication
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in consulting, tech, and corporate sectors focusing on project executionWidely used across industries including construction, IT, and marketing for project support

The Project Operations Associate focuses on the operational aspects of projects, ensuring resources and processes run smoothly. In contrast, the Project Coordinator primarily handles planning, scheduling, and communication tasks. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and certifications, but their core responsibilities differ slightly, with the Associate more involved in operational execution and the Coordinator in project planning and coordination.

What are Project Operations Associates?

Project Operations Associates are professionals who support project managers and teams by coordinating project activities, managing documentation, and ensuring that workflows run smoothly. They handle administrative tasks, monitor project timelines, assist with budgeting, and facilitate communication between different departments. Their role is crucial in keeping projects organized, on schedule, and within scope. Ultimately, they help ensure the successful execution of projects by providing operational and logistical support.

What jobs in the US pay 300,000 a year?

For a Project Operations Associate, earning $300,000 annually is uncommon, as this salary level typically applies to executive roles, senior management, or highly specialized positions such as project directors or program managers in large organizations. Achieving this income often requires extensive experience, advanced certifications, and leadership responsibilities within complex projects or industries like technology, finance, or consulting.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Project Operations Associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Project Operations Associate, you need strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a background in business administration or project management. Familiarity with project management software (like Asana, Trello, or MS Project), proficiency in Excel, and sometimes certification such as CAPM are commonly required. Excellent communication, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork make someone stand out in this position. These skills are crucial for ensuring projects run smoothly, deadlines are met, and stakeholders remain informed and engaged.

What does a project associate do?

A project operations associate supports project management by coordinating tasks, tracking progress, and ensuring deadlines are met. They often handle administrative duties, communicate with team members, and use tools like project management software to facilitate smooth project execution.

Is operations associate an entry-level job?

An operations associate role is often considered entry-level, suitable for candidates with minimal professional experience. It typically requires strong organizational skills and familiarity with basic office software, and some positions may offer on-the-job training for new employees.

What are some common challenges faced by Project Operations Associates, and how can they be effectively managed?

Project Operations Associates often juggle multiple responsibilities, such as coordinating project schedules, managing documentation, and ensuring clear communication among team members. One common challenge is balancing competing deadlines across several projects while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail. Effective time management, proactive communication, and familiarity with project management tools are crucial for success in this role. By staying organized and regularly updating stakeholders, Project Operations Associates can help projects run smoothly and efficiently.

What is the role of an operations associate?

A Project Operations Associate supports project execution by coordinating tasks, managing schedules, and ensuring efficient workflow. They often handle communication between teams, track progress using tools like spreadsheets or project management software, and assist in maintaining project documentation to meet deadlines and quality standards.
What are the most commonly searched types of Project Operations jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Project Operations jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Project Operations Associate jobs in Chicago, IL? For Project Operations Associate jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Project Operations Associate jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Project Operations Associate jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Project Operations Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Project Operations Associate job openings in Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $56,234 per year, or $27 per hour.

Business Operations Associate

Tavern Research

Chicago, IL • On-site

$78K - $93K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

Business Operations Associate
Location: Chicago, IL
Office: 3 days/week in South Loop office
Reports to: Chief Business Officer (CBO)
About Tavern Research
Tavern Research is a political tech startup building tools and insights to help our customers win elections and make better, evidence-based decisions. We specialize in scaling expert human work, such as content generation and survey research to support thoughtful, data-driven civic engagement. We're a venture-backed, mission-driven, fast-moving, and mostly technical team focused on supporting campaigns and organizations working to strengthen democratic participation. We are experimental by design and expect every team member to continuously improve how they work using new tools and technology. Everything else is on our website. If you still have questions, let us know when you apply!
About You
You're an operator at heart. You see a problem, you solve it. You see a list, you work it. You don't wait for permission or perfect instructions. You figure out what needs to happen and you make it happen.
You're scrappy and resourceful. You solve problems before they're escalated and find creative solutions when the playbook doesn't exist yet. Chaos doesn't rattle you. You build order inside of it, track a dozen moving pieces without dropping any, and would never send a contract that says "unknown company."
You're comfortable with AI tools and know how to use them to move faster, but you have the judgment to know when human finesse matters more. You write clearly, communicate professionally, and know the difference between escalating and just handling it. Experience in politics, campaigns, or political technology is a plus, but what matters most is that you execute.
About the role
Tavern Research is looking for a Business Operations Associate to serve as a right hand to the Chief Business Officer. This is a high-impact, generalist role for someone who thrives in ambiguity and moves fast. You'll fill critical gaps across contracts, finance, marketing, and day-to-day business operations, freeing up senior leadership to focus on strategy.
On any given day you might be generating a client contract, chasing down an invoice, briefing a marketing consultant, or triaging an internal request that slipped through the cracks. You'll work directly with the CBO and across every business unit, touching contracts, finance, sales ops, marketing, and general operations. No two days look the same. That's the point.
This is not a role where you sit in meetings and make decks. You'll have a direct impact on how the business runs day-to-day, working closely with senior leadership in a small, high-trust team at a pivotal moment of organizational growth.
We value in-person work and expect employees to work regularly from our Chicago office. We're open to a range of arrangements - full-time, part-time, temp-to-hire, or contract. If this sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you.
Responsibilities
  • Own end-to-end contract generation, review, and execution using existing templates and automation tools, ensuring all client-facing documents are accurate, standardized, and sent on time.
  • Support billing, invoicing, and bookkeeping processes, and liaise with external accounting resources to keep the books clean.
  • Coordinate with external marketing consultants on campaign execution, help clear the marketing task backlog, and support digital campaigns, social media, and outbound communications.
  • Maintain and manage CRM/HubSpot structure and hygiene, support the sales team with deal logistics and pipeline tracking, and ensure smooth handoffs between sales, delivery, and business unit leads.
  • Act as the operational catch-all: when something falls through the cracks, you pick it up.
  • Manage internal ticketing and requests, triage operational needs across the team, and support tech ops, vendor management, and office operations as needed.
  • Assist with fundraising preparation and forward-looking financial planning support alongside the CBO.
  • Leverage AI tools to move faster and build lightweight processes where there's currently chaos, without losing the judgment to know when human attention matters most.

Qualifications
  • 2+ years of experience in management consulting, business operations, startup ops, sales ops, or a similar generalist role, or a strong recent grad with demonstrated hustle and organizational chops.
  • Experience with some combination of: strategic and operational projects, contracts/legal ops, billing/invoicing/bookkeeping coordination, CRM/sales ops, vendor management, or marketing coordination.
  • Strong written communication skills: clear emails, polished docs, professional client-facing materials.
  • Strong spreadsheet skills and technical fluency; comfortable in CRMs, task trackers, and AI tools, and quick to pick up new systems.
  • Proven ability to manage multiple workstreams independently without dropping balls.
  • Detail-oriented enough to catch errors, organized enough to track them all.
  • Sound judgment: knows when to act independently and when to escalate; comfortable operating with incomplete information in a fast-moving environment.
  • Experience supporting a fast-moving small team or startup.
  • Bonus: familiarity with HubSpot, Rippling, or contract automation tools; background or interest in politics, campaigns, or political technology.

Benefits
  • Premium health insurance
  • Unlimited PTO
  • Office closed for all federal holidays
  • 401k match
  • Equity

Tavern Research is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
The pay range for this role is:
78,000 - 93,000 USD per year (HQ)

Apply