Associate Consultant

About the Role

This role within IPM’s Strategy Realization Office (SRO) is designed to focus on development and build strong project management, consulting, and technology-enabled execution capabilities. The selected candidate will spend approximately 6 to 12 months working internally within IPM’s SRO, closely with experienced IPM consultants and leaders to learn IPM’s methodologies, tools, and delivery standards. While in the SRO, the individual will contribute to internal initiatives that advance strategic priorities, operational improvements, and capability building, while developing skills to transition into client-facing engagements. Upon successful completion of the development period, the candidate will transition into a client-facing Associate Consultant role.

Key Responsibilities

• Supporting the planning and execution of internal strategic initiatives, programs, and projects.
• Learning and applying IPM’s project management and consulting frameworks, standards, and best practices.
• Developing foundational project management skills, including scope definition, schedule development, risk and issue management, and stakeholder communication.
• Partnering with experienced IPM consultants to observe and support client-style delivery approaches, problem solving, and decision-making.
• Contributing to the development of project artifacts, work plans, analyses, and executive-level communications.
• Presenting status updates to build presentation skills and executive presence.
• Leveraging project management, collaboration, and digital workflow tools (such as Smartsheet, MS Project, and emerging AI-enabled platforms) to support planning, execution, and insight generation.
• Applying data, analytics, and AI-enabled tools to improve visibility, efficiency, and decision-making across internal initiatives and projects.
• Exploring and piloting new tools, technologies, and AI use cases to enhance IPM’s internal ways of working and client delivery approaches.
• Building consulting skills including structured problem solving, hypothesis-driven thinking, and professional communication.
• Preparing for future client engagements by gaining exposure to IPM’s service offerings, industry focus areas, and Centers of Excellence.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, technology, or a related field.
• 0-3 years of professional experience or demonstrated exposure to project-based work, consulting, operations, analytics, or technology-enabled roles.
• Strong interest in developing a career in consulting, project management, strategy realization, or technology-enabled execution.
• Demonstrated ability to learn quickly, adapt to new situations, and apply feedback in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages to different audiences.
• Demonstrated relationship-building skills, including the ability to establish credibility, collaborate effectively, and build trust with teammates, leaders, and stakeholders.
• Comfort working both independently and as part of a highly collaborative team environment.
• Curiosity and aptitude for leveraging technology, including emerging AI-enabled tools, to improve efficiency, analysis, communication, and project execution.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools; familiarity with project management, collaboration, data, or AI-enabled productivity tools is a plus but not required.
• Hybrid work environment requires 4 days in our Burr Ridge office initially, then going down to 3 days per week.