Project Management Intern (Summer 2027)

Elkay Manufacturing; Downers Grove (IL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Part time

Job summary

Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation in Downers Grove, IL offers a Project Management Intern (Summer 2027) role designed to give hands-on experience in new product development, cross-functional leadership, and process improvement within our Drinking Water/Filtration lines.

You will work with Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, Operations, and Supply Chain to move a defined project from concept through milestones, while evaluating and improving the innovation process.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in business, engineering, project management, or related field.
• Strong academic performance and demonstrated leadership experience.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to lead projects and influence stakeholders without direct authority.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel and PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

• Lead a strategic innovation project within the Drinking Water or Filtration business unit.
• Define project objectives, deliverables, timelines, risks, and success metrics.
• Coordinate activities across Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, Quality, Operations, and Supply Chain teams.
• Track project progress and communicate updates to stakeholders and leadership.
• Identify risks, obstacles, and opportunities and develop mitigation plans.
• Present project recommendations, business cases, and outcomes to leadership teams.
• Learn and actively participate in the company’s Stage‑Gate product development process.
• Attend gate reviews, project meetings, and innovation planning sessions.
• Document process observations, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
• Analyze project workflows, decision points, and team interactions.
• Benchmark best practices and recommend enhancements to improve project execution, speed to market, and cross-functional alignment.
• Support the implementation and testing of approved process improvements.
• Build project management capabilities through real-world project ownership.
• Develop executive presentation and communication skills.
• Gain exposure to product strategy, innovation management, and business operations.
• Partner with mentors and business leaders for coaching and career development.

Skills

Project leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder influence

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree (business, engineering, project management, or related)

Tools

Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint)

Job description

Project Management Intern (Summer 2027)

The Company

Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation is a thriving, values-driven company focused on doing the right things. We’re a fast growing, publicly traded company (NYSE: ZWS), with an enduring reputation for integrity, giving back, and providing an engaging, inclusive environment where careers flourish and grow.

Named by Newsweek as One of America’s Most Responsible Companies and an Energage USA Top Workplace, at Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation, we never forget that our people are at the center of what makes us successful. They are the driving force behind our superior quality, product ingenuity, and exceptional customer experience. Our commitment to our people and their professional development is a recipe for success that has fueled our growth for over 100 years, as one of today’s leading international suppliers of plumbing and water delivery solutions.

Headquartered in Milwaukee, WI, Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation employs over 2800 employees worldwide, working from 24 locations across the U.S., China, Canada, Dubai, and Mexico, with sales offices available around the globe. We hope you’ll visit our website and learn more about Zurn Elkay at zurnelkay.com.

If you’re ready to join a company where what you do makes a difference and you have pride in the work you are doing, talk to us about joining the Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation family!

The Project Manager Intern will play a key role in supporting and leading a strategic product innovation initiative within Zurn Elkay’s Drinking Water or Filtration business. This internship is designed to provide hands‑on experience in new product development, cross‑functional project leadership, and continuous process improvement.

Working closely with Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, Operations, and Supply Chain teams, the intern will lead a defined innovation project from concept through key development milestones while gaining exposure to the company’s Stage‑Gate product development process. The intern will also evaluate the effectiveness of the current innovation process and recommend improvements that enhance speed, efficiency, collaboration, and execution.

This role offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful business impact while developing project management, leadership, analytical, and product development skills.

Reports to: Director, Filtration Product Management & Drinking Water Project Management

Key Focus Areas

• Lead a strategic innovation project within the Drinking Water or Filtration business unit.
• Define project objectives, deliverables, timelines, risks, and success metrics.
• Coordinate activities across Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, Quality, Operations, and Supply Chain teams.
• Track project progress and communicate updates to stakeholders and leadership.
• Identify risks, obstacles, and opportunities and develop mitigation plans.
• Present project recommendations, business cases, and outcomes to leadership teams.
• Learn and actively participate in the company’s Stage‑Gate product development process.
• Attend gate reviews, project meetings, and innovation planning sessions.
• Document process observations, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
• Analyze project workflows, decision points, and team interactions.
• Benchmark best practices and recommend enhancements to improve project execution, speed to market, and cross-functional alignment.
• Support the implementation and testing of approved process improvements.
• Build project management capabilities through real-world project ownership.
• Develop executive presentation and communication skills.
• Gain exposure to product strategy, innovation management, and business operations.
• Partner with mentors and business leaders for coaching and career development.

Learning & Development Opportunities

• Successful leadership of a defined product innovation project.
• Executive presentation summarizing project outcomes and recommendations.
• Assessment of the current Stage‑Gate process.
• Identification and recommendation of process improvement opportunities.
• Implementation plan for one or more Stage‑Gate enhancements.
• Final business impact report highlighting project results, lessons learned, and future opportunities.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in business, engineering, project management, or other related field.
• Strong academic performance and demonstrated leadership experience.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to lead projects and influence stakeholders without direct authority.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel and PowerPoint.

The Salary Range - $20.00 - $25.00 per hour__

Equal Opportunity Employer – Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran

Equal Opportunity Employer – Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran