Associate Project Manager, Level 4

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Associate Project Managers work in all sectors such as government, retail, food and drink, infrastructure, education, charities, research and banking. The working environment can vary from being in an office, on-site, at client and contactor’s locations and working remotely.

The broad purpose is to contribute to the successful delivery of a project, ensuring its scope and benefits are achieved as planned. They do this primarily by identifying, resourcing, scheduling and monitoring the activities that need to happen in a certain sequence and timescale. They monitor the project objectives and milestones and adjust plans in accordance with evolving circumstances.

Associate Project Managers are key to enabling organisations meet their business goals by successful project delivery. Projects can be large or small and deliver a required product that either creates something new or improves efficiency and effectiveness. Many organisations deliver their own projects, using in-house Associate Project Managers to work on scope they might be already familiar with. Some Associate Project Manager’s work on a contract basis or for specialist organisations that deliver outsourced project work on behalf of clients.

In their daily work, they will interact with a range of internal stakeholders including members of their own team and other departments such as IT, legal, finance, marketing, senior management and governing decision making bodies. They also interact with a range of external stakeholders such as members of the public, investors, customers and partners. They will typically report to the Project Manager who ensures the delivery of the project scope.

Study Overview

The apprentice should understand the organisational purpose, activities, aims, values and their vision for the future as well as the organisational structure.

• They may contribute to the drafting of business cases that justify why a project is required. They will collaborate with stakeholders to negotiate and allocate project activities to members of the integrated project team.
• They may occasionally be responsible for decision making, but more often will guide or influence the decisions of others.
• They must also escalate project issues beyond the scope of their role or when they identify significant project risks and issues.
• They analyse and incorporate lessons learned into future project management and to keep their project skills up to date.
• They contribute to overall project aims in line with customer requirements.
• They will understand how their role supports the wider organisation and project structure.

Progression and Employment Opportunities

Progression can include employment opportunities or further study such as with a HND, a degree or higher apprenticeships.