Project Assistant

SUMMARY:
-

POSITION INFO:

Skills:
Supports a project manager with administrative tasks to ensure the project can proceed according to plan. Write reports, attend meetings, analyze data, manage resources, create schedules, update and file documentation, and track progress toward milestones. Provide direction to project team members or assist them with their duties to meet deadlines.
Use knowledge of effective project management practices and organizational skills and work closely with managers to determine what they need and how they can contribute to the campaign's success. Benefit from familiarity with project management tools and office software to make their tasks more efficient and help them adapt to overcome challenges as they arise throughout the project.
Familiarity with office software:
Knowledge of various project management software programs and other digital tools allows these assistants to track and report on a campaign's progress easily. This skill can also contribute to more effective communication and collaboration among team members. Familiarity with office programs, such as word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software, may appear in a project assistant job description. General administrative skills, such as filing, invoicing, and data entry, can also be valuable in this role.
Organization:
Companies often seek to hire project assistants with strong organizational skills to ensure they can maintain accurate records, create comprehensive plans, and prepare detailed reports. Managing and organizing their time helps project assistants set priorities and ensure all team members can meet deadlines. This ability optimizes productivity, makes resource allocation more efficient, and ensures timely completion of project deliverables. Organization skills make staying current and complying with project requirements and regulations easier.
Data analysis:
Applying different data analysis techniques allows a project assistant to identify trends and patterns in the information and determine ways to improve processes. Presenting data analyses to the project manager and other company leaders can also enable informed decision-making practices and the proactive management of tasks. A job description for a vacant project assistant role may discuss various data analysis skills, such as collecting, interpreting, and presenting information.
Proofreading:
Project assistants can benefit from excellent written communication skills and the ability to proofread documents before submitting them to clients or senior company leaders. Effective proofreading identifies and resolves grammar and spelling errors, typos, missing or overused punctuation, and formatting issues. Project assistants often proofread reports, proposals, and schedules to ensure they're professional and error-free. It's also beneficial for aspiring assistants to proofread their job applications closely to demonstrate their attention to detail and ability to produce error-free text.
Problem solving:
Project assistants constantly adapt to changing requirements and respond to challenges. By improving their problem-solving skills, they can find creative solutions to ensure team members can proceed and meet deadlines. This may include modifying plans, adjusting schedules, reallocating resources, reviewing budgets, and seeking new technology solutions to improve efficiency.

Duties:

Project assistants manage various tasks to support the project manager. This typically involves ensuring team members can collaborate, work efficiently, and have the necessary tools to meet upcoming deadlines.

Here are some of a project assistant's primary duties and responsibilities:
Creating timelines, milestones, and deliverables to contribute to effective project planning
Following up on the progress of action items and other tasks and reporting to the project manager
Supporting team members in completing their tasks to ensure they meet milestones
Updating and organizing project files, such as meeting minutes and progress reports
Using project management software to maintain charters and process flows
Assisting in risk mitigation, identification, tracking, management, and resolution
Scheduling meetings, conference calls, and project-related events with team members
Observing the team's performance and providing detailed updates to the project manager
Assisting in the preparation of project presentations and reports for senior managers
Conducting research and gathering data to support project initiatives and encourage good decision-making practices
Assisting the project manager with budgeting, logging expenses, and filing financial reports
Facilitating communication among team members and liaising with the project manager
Providing administrative support to project managers when necessary
Seeking opportunities for process improvements and making recommendations
Writing and distributing project-related messages, such as memos and status updates
Collaborating with cross-functional teams that include a diverse range of personalities and skills

Experience 

Experience working in junior roles as part of a project team can be an advantage for people looking to work as a project assistant. This demonstrates their familiarity with different project stages and indicates excellent collaboration and organizational skills. Volunteering for tasks with more responsibility while working in junior roles can prepare aspiring project assistants for the next phase of their careers. Job descriptions typically specify how many years of relevant experience a successful candidate has, so this can provide extra guidance.

Education

A bachelor's degree or college diploma in business administration or project management provides valuable knowledge and skills they can use for success. An industry-specific academic qualification can also be of value. For example, an engineering degree may make a candidate's application more impressive if the job vacancy specifies work on an engineering project.

Must be Chinese and English speaking - of Chinese/Asian origin