Assistant Project Manager

Assistant Project Manager / Estimator

Location: Aurora, IL (On-Site)

Industry: Utility Construction | Overhead Distribution

Build Your Career in Project Management or Estimating

Are you looking for an opportunity to grow your career with a company that invests in mentorship, professional development, and long-term advancement? We are seeking an Assistant Project Manager / Estimator to support utility distribution and overhead distribution construction projects while gaining valuable experience in both project management and estimating.

This unique role provides hands-on exposure to project execution, field operations, bid preparation, estimating, and subcontractor coordination, making it an excellent opportunity for candidates interested in advancing into either a Project Manager or Estimator career path.

What You"ll Do

As an Assistant Project Manager / Estimator, you"ll work closely with experienced project leaders to help drive project success from bid phase through execution.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support Project Managers and Estimators with daily project and estimating activities.
• Organize, maintain, and track project documentation, logs, schedules, and records.
• Review plans, specifications, takeoffs, and bid packages for completeness and accuracy.
• Assist in preparing project estimates, bid proposals, and change orders.
• Monitor field progress and provide regular project status updates.
• Coordinate with subcontractors and suppliers to support project execution.
• Review subcontractor proposals and ensure scope alignment through clarifications and documentation.
• Help manage project schedules, communications, and administrative requirements.
• Utilize spreadsheets, estimating software, and construction management tools to support project delivery.
• Support successful execution of overhead utility distribution projects while maintaining schedule, quality, and budget objectives.

What We"re Looking For

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor"s degree in Engineering or Construction Management.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in utility construction, project coordination, project management, or estimating.
• Experience supporting overhead distribution projects.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills and comfort working with construction-related software.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, plans, and takeoffs.
• Knowledge of construction estimating and bid preparation processes.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Experience coordinating subcontractors or supporting subcontractor management activities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with B2W Software.
• Experience with Asset Suite 8.
• Utility distribution or overhead line construction background.
• Familiarity with change order preparation and construction documentation.
• Interest in pursuing a long-term career in Project Management or Estimating.

Why Join Us?

• Clear career progression into Project Management or Estimating
• Direct mentorship from experienced industry professionals
• Exposure to all phases of utility construction projects
• Strong team-oriented culture focused on collaboration and development
• Opportunity to build technical, financial, and operational project skills
• Stable and growing utility construction sector

Work Environment

This position is based in our Aurora, Illinois office and requires on-site attendance Monday through Friday. The office offers a collaborative, team-focused atmosphere with strong leadership support, ample parking, convenient access to nearby restaurants, and long-term flexibility opportunities as employees grow within the organization.

Apply Today

If you"re a motivated construction professional with utility experience who wants to accelerate your career in project management and estimating, we"d love to hear from you. Join a team that values hard work, mentorship, and professional growth while helping deliver critical utility infrastructure projects.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Aurora, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $33.65 - $40.87/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Aurora, IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 16, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Aurora,IL.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.