Assistant Project Manager

Design Collaborative; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Design Collaborative in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is seeking an Assistant Project Manager eager to grow within a collaborative, people-first team. You will support project managers and multidisciplinary teams, helping balance scope, schedule, budget, and quality while gaining hands-on experience across the full project lifecycle.

Ideal candidates hold an Architecture degree (NAAB) or MEPE engineering degree, with 3+ years in commercial design, and are pursuing licensure.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture (NAAB accredited) or Bachelor's in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering (MEP)
• 5+ years in building design industry may substitute for degree
• RA licensure or PE licensure preferred
• 3+ years in commercial architectural or MEP firm
• Strong communication, organization, and time management skills

Responsibilities

• Assist in managing project scope, schedule, and budget expectations
• Coordinate internal team members and external consultants
• Track project progress and communicate updates
• Support production of construction documents and project specifications
• Apply knowledge of building codes, accessibility, and design principles
• Participate in QA/QC to maintain standards
• Assist in review of shop drawings and submittals
• Support project financial tracking including budgets and invoicing
• Contribute to cost estimating efforts and understand cost drivers
• Assist with construction administration activities (RFIs, submittals, ASIs)
• Support permitting coordination with regulatory agencies
• Build strong relationships with team and clients
• Maintain responsiveness to team and client needs
• Develop project management skills and take on more responsibility

Skills

Communication

Organization

Time management

Team collaboration

Growth mindset

Education

Architecture degree (NAAB)

MEP engineering degree

Tools

Revit

Documentation tools

Job description

Are you ready to take the next step toward a career in Project Management? At Design Collaborative, we’re looking for an Assistant Project Manager who is eager to grow, learn, and make an impact alongside a collaborative, people-first team.

This role is designed for individuals who have built a strong foundation in architectural or building design and are ready to expand their influence—developing the skills, confidence, and experience needed to lead projects in the future.

Why This Role Matters

As an Assistant Project Manager, you’ll play a key role in supporting the successful delivery of projects—helping balance scope, schedule, budget, and quality—while gaining hands‑on experience across the full project lifecycle. You’ll work directly with Project Managers, clients, and multidisciplinary teams, contributing in meaningful ways while building your path toward a future PM role.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture from an NAAB accredited school, or Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering (MEP)
• 5+ years working within the building design industry may be accepted in lieu of degree requirement
• Registered Architect (RA) licensure, Professional Engineer (PE) or active pursuit of licensure preferred
• 3+ years of experience working within a commercial architectural or MEP firm
• Exposure to project coordination, documentation, and team collaboration
• Working knowledge of building systems, materials, and construction processes
• Familiarity with building codes, life safety, and accessibility requirements
• Strong communication, organization, and time management skills
• Experience working in Revit and standard documentation tools
• A growth mindset with interest in advancing toward Project Management

What You’ll Do

You’ll support Project Managers and project teams by:

• Assisting in managing project scope, schedule, and budget expectations
• Coordinating internal team members and external consultants
• Tracking project progress and ensuring timely communication of updates
• Supporting production of construction documents and project specifications
• Applying knowledge of building codes, accessibility, and design principles to project work
• Participating in QA/QC processes to maintain Design Collaborative’s standards of quality
• Assisting in review of shop drawings, submittals, and technical documentation
• Supporting project financial tracking, including budgets, hours, and invoicing
• Contributing to cost estimating efforts and understanding project cost drivers
• Assisting with construction administration activities such as RFIs, submittals, ASIs, and change documentation
• Supporting permitting coordination and communication with regulatory agencies
• Building strong relationships with team members and contributing to a collaborative environment
• Maintaining responsiveness and attentiveness to team and client needs
• Actively developing project management skills and taking on increasing responsibility over time

What Success Looks Like

• You are organized, proactive, and dependable in supporting project delivery
• You communicate clearly and consistently with both internal teams and clients
• You are growing your confidence in managing project components independently
• You contribute to a positive, service-oriented team culture

Additional Opportunities to Grow

• Exposure to cost estimating, specifications development, and construction administration
• Experience with a variety of project types, sizes, and delivery methods
• Mentorship and development aligned with your career path