5-7 years of experience in project management or a similar role
Designated Project Manager (DPM) accreditation is preferred
Strong financial acumen and experience with project budgeting
Proven ability to manage stakeholder communications effectively
Excellent leadership skills with a focus on coaching and mentoring teams
Strong presentation and negotiation skills
Responsibilities
Lead all phases of project management lifecycle from kickoff to closeout
Manage project budgets and fee proposals while ensuring alignment with scope
Coordinate project schedules and dependencies across teams and stakeholders
Identify and resolve project risks and issues promptly
Oversee contract administration on assigned projects
Ensure compliance with firm standards and applicable codes throughout project delivery
Contribute to internal strategic initiatives and client development efforts
Benefits
Collaborative team environment with experienced leaders
Opportunities for professional growth and development
Involvement in impactful projects across Canada
Focus on team leadership and professional mentorship
Contributions to firm policies and best practices
Full Job Description
Role: Associate - Electrical
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Salary Range: $110,000 - $140,000
This Opportunity
Step into an Associate role at Smith + Andersen in our (location) office and grow your impact across projects, client relationships, and team leadership. You'll take meaningful ownership of project outcomes, leading teams through delivery while balancing scope, schedule, and financial performance. Working closely with clients, you'll apply sound professional judgement to navigate challenges, make independent decisions, and build trust at every stage.
At Smith + Andersen, you'll be part of a collaborative team working on impactful, technically engaging projects across Canada. You'll grow alongside experienced leaders who are invested in shaping your long-term growth and success.
This posting is for an existing vacancy within our organization.
What You'll Do
Project Control (Design & Implementation)
Accountable for all phases of the project management lifecycle, including kickoff, delivery milestones, stakeholder communications, scheduling, quality, risk, staff supervision, document management and closeout.
Oversee contract administration activities, including reviews, site activities, submittals, RFIs and change management.
Coordinate project schedules, milestones, approvals and interdisciplinary dependencies across internal teams and external stakeholders.
Identify, assess, and manage project risks; escalate issues and drive resolution as required.
Serve as the Designated Project Manager (DPM) when required.
Financial Management
Develop and manage project fee proposal and budgets with supervision to ensure alignment to approved scope and resourcing plans.
Oversee project billing setup and invoicing to support accurate, timely billing and revenue collection.
Lead scope and fee change control, including RAF preparation, internal approvals and client alignment.
Monitor project financial performance (revenue, utilization, burn rate and forecast) and drive corrective actions through collaboration with project leadership.
People Leadership
Coach, mentor and develop Project Managers and project team staff as required, through regular feedback, knowledge sharing and on-the-job support to reinforce firm standards and best practices.
Develop performance reviews with supervision, career development planning and career progression in alignment with firm expectations.
Support recruitment activities, including screening, interviews and candidate evaluation, in partnership with HR.
Construction Administration
Oversee contract administration activities on assigned projects, ensuring timely issue identification, documentation and resolution.
Establish a review cadence and delegate site activities to Project Managers and contract administration staff, as appropriate.
Ensure timely review and coordination of submittals and RFIs and maintaining effective change control (including change orders and change directives).
Standards, Quality & Governance
Oversee the consistent application of TQM practices including across multi-disciplinary projects to strengthen quality, consistency and client outcomes.
Provide governance oversight for technical deliverables, including scope, cost, schedule, risk and status reporting.
Ensure projects comply with firm standards, applicable codes, and approved scope, schedule, budget and risk controls in collaboration with Project Managers.
Firm Leadership & Contribution
Lead or actively contribute to internal committees and initiatives that advance strategic priorities by sharing insights and developing content and helping implement agreed actions.
Research and evaluate emerging industry trends, regulations and best practices to inform firm strategy and service delivery.
Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of firm policies, standards, tools and best practices.
Client & Business Development
Coordinate proposal and RFP responses with Shared Services; participate in client interviews as required.
Build and maintain high-quality client relationships, ensuring clear expectations and consistent, high-quality delivery.
Proactively identify growth opportunities, promote firm services and report leads to the Principal in Charge and Marketing.
Who You Are:
Consistently demonstrates Smith + Andersen's core qualities, values and standards.
Successfully completes Smith + Andersen's Designated Project Manager (DPM) accreditation.
Recognized technical and professional leader with strong client credibility.
Demonstrates strong ability to influence, negotiate and communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
Excellent presentation skills with experience leading client meetings and facilitating decision-making.
Committed to delivering excellent client service while developing and supporting team members.
Flexible, approachable and willing to commit to additional effort when required to ensure project needs are met.
For more information about Smith + Andersen, please visit our website at www.smithandandersen.com.
