Project Associate vs. Project Coordinator: What Are the Differences?

A project associate and project coordinator are both responsible for assisting with the planning and execution of projects. Though these positions share some similarities, there are several key differences that set them apart. In this article, we discuss the duties of a project associate and a project coordinator, and we provide information on the skills and experience you need to succeed in each role.

What is a Project Associate?

A Project Associate provides support to a team of Project Managers in order to ensure the successful completion of project goals and objectives. The Project Associate is responsible for creating and maintaining project documentation, tracking project milestones and deliverables, and communicating project status to stakeholders. They may also be responsible for conducting research, preparing presentations, and providing administrative support to the project team. In order to be successful in this role, the Project Associate must have excellent organizational skills and be able to work well under pressure.

What is a Project Coordinator?

Project Coordinators work with Project Managers to ensure that all aspects of a project are running smoothly and on schedule. They develop and maintain project schedules, track project milestones, monitor progress and report any issues that arise. Project Coordinators also work closely with team members to resolve conflicts, answer questions and provide guidance. They may also be responsible for training new team members on project procedures. Project Coordinators typically have a bachelor’s degree in project management, business administration or a related field.

Project Associate vs. Project Coordinator

Here are the main differences between a project associate and a project coordinator.

Job Duties

A project coordinator’s primary responsibility is to ensure the project team functions well. This involves scheduling meetings, making sure everyone attends them and taking notes so the project leader can review them. Project coordinators also communicate with stakeholders outside the project team, such as clients or customers, to receive feedback on the project and inform the team about any requirements they need to meet.

In contrast, a project associate has more technical duties related to the project itself. They may perform research for the project or create documents that the project team uses during the process. Additionally, project associates may help the project leader with administrative tasks, such as creating schedules, keeping track of expenses or filing paperwork.

Job Requirements

Project associates and coordinators typically need a bachelor’s degree in business administration, project management or another related field. Some employers prefer candidates to have a master’s degree as well, but it is not required for entry-level positions. Additionally, many professionals in these roles pursue certifications through the Project Management Institute (PMI). The PMI offers training programs that teach professionals how to use project management software and other tools they might need on the job.

Work Environment

Project coordinators typically work in an office setting, often for a large company. They may travel to different locations to meet with clients and attend meetings. Project coordinators usually have regular hours, but they may work overtime when necessary.

Project associates can also work in an office environment, but they may also work on construction sites or other outdoor locations. They may spend time outdoors working on projects, such as building homes or repairing bridges. The work of project associates is more physically demanding than that of project coordinators.

Skills

Both project associates and coordinators need to have excellent communication skills. This is important because they often act as a liaison between the project manager and other team members, relaying information back-and-forth. They also both need to be highly organized and detail-oriented in order to keep track of deadlines, milestones and progress on the project.

Project associates typically need to have strong research skills. This is because part of their job may involve conducting market analysis or gathering data about the project target audience. They also need to be able to analyze this information and present it in a clear and concise way. Project coordinators also need to be able to understand and make decisions based on data, but they typically do not conduct the initial research themselves.

Both project associates and coordinators need to have good time management skills. This is because they need to be able to juggle multiple tasks at once and prioritize their work in order to meet deadlines. However, project coordinators typically need to have stronger time management skills as they are often responsible for coordinating the work of multiple team members.

Salary

Project associates can earn an average salary of $61,055 per year, while project coordinators can earn an average salary of $58,126 per year. Both of these average salaries may vary depending on the size of the company at which you work, location of your job and the level of experience you have prior to pursuing either position.