Join Onward: Transforming Lives through Affordable Housing and Community Engagement
At Onward, we stand for more than just housing; we represent affordability, community, and the fostering of personal growth. Our commitment to creating affordable homes and empowering individuals to thrive is what drives us. With over five decades of history, Onward stands as a leading not-for-profit dedicated to affordable housing in Calgary.
Our Mission: Onward focuses on creating, renovating, and expertly managing properties to provide homes for over 3,
000 individuals, predominantly with lower incomes. We work closely with over 50 social service agencies to introduce residents who require support. Our buildings, spread across the city, cater to individuals, families, seniors, Indigenous persons, newcomers to Canada, and others who benefit from personalized agency support for various needs, including mental health, addictions, and mobility challenges.
Our People, Our Strength: To fulfill our mission, we rely on an exceptional team of dedicated employees. We seek team members who value results, leadership, and inclusive practices, believing in the power of collaboration and demonstrating courage where needed. If you resonate with our vision and share our values, we invite you to join us on our mission to make a meaningful difference in people's lives.
What We Need From This Role
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Junior Project Manager / Project Administrator will play an important supporting role in the planning, coordination, execution, and administration of capital renewal, building improvement, and asset preservation projects across Onward's affordable housing portfolio.
This is an exciting opportunity for an early-career professional who wants to build a career in project management, construction, asset management, or housing development. Working alongside senior leaders and project stakeholders, you will gain hands-on experience across the full project lifecycle while contributing to projects that have a direct impact on the communities we serve.
At Onward, we offer something unique: we're large enough to manage a diverse portfolio of properties and significant capital projects, yet small enough that team members gain exposure far beyond a traditional entry-level role. Rather than being confined to one area of the business, you'll work closely with operations, property management, maintenance, finance, resident services, contractors, consultants, and senior leadership. This multifaceted exposure provides an accelerated learning environment and exceptional opportunities for professional growth and career development.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Project Coordination & Administration
- Support the planning, tracking, and delivery of capital renewal, refurbishment, and restoration projects across the portfolio.
- Assist with developing project schedules, scopes of work, procurement packages, and project documentation.
- Coordinate meetings, maintain project records, prepare status updates, and follow up on action items.
- Track project milestones, budgets, invoices, and contractor performance.
- Assist with change order management and ensure project documentation remains accurate and organized.
- Participate in site visits to monitor project progress, quality standards, and safety compliance.
Capital Planning & Asset Management Support
- Assist in gathering building condition data and updating asset lifecycle information.
- Support the ongoing maintenance of Onward's long-term Capital Replacement Plan.
- Help identify opportunities for energy efficiency improvements, sustainability initiatives, and accessibility enhancements.
- Collect and organize information to support project prioritization and future capital planning initiatives.
Vendor & Contractor Coordination
- Assist with procurement activities, including obtaining quotes, coordinating tender documents, and managing contractor communications.
- Support contractor onboarding, document collection, and compliance tracking.
- Coordinate scheduling between contractors, consultants, building staff, and residents.
- Review invoices and project documentation for accuracy before approval.
Resident & Stakeholder Communication
- Work closely with Property Management and Resident Services teams to support project communications.
- Prepare resident notices related to building improvements, unit access requirements, service disruptions, and project timelines.
- Assist with resident meetings, information sessions, and project briefings.
- Help ensure projects are completed with minimal disruption to residents while maintaining a positive resident experience.
Project Reporting & Process Improvement
- Develop project reports, dashboards, and tracking tools for leadership review.
- Monitor project budgets and assist with expenditure tracking.
- Maintain organized, audit-ready project files and records.
- Identify opportunities to improve project administration, reporting processes, and operational efficiency.
What You Bring
To Be Successful in This Role, You Will Need:
- A diploma, degree, or equivalent education in Construction Management, Project Management, Engineering Technology, Business Administration, or a related field.
- 1 to 3 years of experience in project coordination, project administration, construction, property management, facilities management, or a related environment (or an equivalent combination of education, co-op placements, internships, and/or related experience).
- Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word, Teams, and Outlook.
- A proactive attitude, willingness to learn, and a strong desire to develop project management expertise.
- Valid driver's license and reliable transportation for periodic site visits throughout Calgary.
Advantageous Experience
- Exposure to construction, facilities, maintenance, renovation, or capital projects.
- Experience coordinating vendors, contractors, or service providers.
- Familiarity with project management software and reporting tools.
- Experience within housing, property management, non-profit, municipal, or community-based organizations.
- Working knowledge of budgeting, procurement, or project controls.
Why Join Onward?
This role is ideal for someone looking to accelerate their project management career. You will gain exposure to a wide range of projects, stakeholders, and business functions while working directly with experienced leaders who are committed to developing talent.
Unlike larger organizations where responsibilities can be highly specialized, Onward provides the opportunity to learn the business from multiple angles, build meaningful relationships across departments, and develop a broad foundation of project management experience that can fast-track your professional growth.
Working Environment, Conditions, and Physical Demands
The position entails a mix of office-based management and active field work, including frequent site visits, building inspections, and contractor walk-throughs across various properties. The work environment may occasionally be fast-paced due to project deadlines and live-building conditions. Hours are typically 37.5 per week, with occasional flexibility required based on project milestones or urgent site needs.
Compensation & Benefits
- A competitive salary
- Potential performance bonus: Up to 5%
- Initial vacation entitlement of three weeks
- Comprehensive benefits package including a health spending account
- RRSP featuring an automatic 5% contribution from Onward and an additional 2% contribution with a matching component
- Five flex days per year
- A dynamic and supportive work environment where your actions make a real impact in the community
Our Commitment
Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion ensures equal opportunities for all applicants; we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.
Thank you for your interest in Onward!
Join us to make a significant impact in Calgary's community and housing sector! Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to discover more about our ongoing work and plans for the future.
