Assistant Project Manager

We are representing a leading project management and real estate advisory firm in seeking an Assistant Project Manager to join its growing team in Tokyo.

This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious project management professional to gain hands-on exposure to end-to-end project execution, construction management, and real estate advisory across a diverse range of sectors, including corporate fit-outs, hospitality, commercial, data centres, and industrial developments.

As part of the firm's dynamic project delivery platform, you will work closely with Senior Project Managers, clients, design consultants, general contractors, and external vendors to drive projects from initial planning and design through to construction and final handover.

As an Assistant Project Manager, you will support the project team across all stages of project delivery, gaining deep exposure to how complex capital and construction projects are structured, budgeted, scheduled, and executed in Japan.

Working alongside Senior Project Managers, you will contribute to monitoring site progress, managing project schedules and budgets, coordinating multi-disciplinary project teams, and supporting procurement and contract administration.

This role is particularly suited to someone who is highly organized, process-driven, adaptable, and eager to build a long-term career in professional project management and real estate development. Prior industry experience in real estate or construction is not strictly required, provided you possess strong core project management skills and execution discipline.

Key Responsibilities

Project Planning & Execution Support

• Assist Senior Project Managers in developing and maintaining master project schedules, budget trackers, and resource plans.
• Track project milestones, deliverables, and site progress to ensure timely and on-budget execution.
• Help coordinate project kickoff, design reviews, site walkthroughs, and progress meetings with clients and project teams.
• Maintain accurate project documentation, including meeting minutes, change orders, progress reports, and risk logs.

Vendor, Consultant & Contractor Management

• Support the procurement process, including drafting RFPs, consolidating vendor proposals, and analyzing cost submissions.
• Coordinate day-to-day communications between clients, architects, MEP engineers, general contractors, and specialist suppliers.
• Assist in monitoring contractor performance, site safety, and quality control during construction and fit-out phases.
• Facilitate smooth change management workflows and assist in resolving design or site-level challenges.

Budget, Cost & Contract Administration

• Assist in reviewing contractor progress billings, variation orders, and final accounts.
• Consolidate cost reports and financial forecasts for internal management and client review.
• Support the tracking of contractual scope boundaries and ensure compliance with agreed terms.

Client Engagement & Reporting

• Prepare clear, well-structured progress presentation decks, monthly status reports, and dashboard updates for clients.
• Act as a responsive operational contact for client queries, ensuring clear and proactive communication at all times.
• Assist in project closeout activities, including defect snagging, testing & commissioning coordination, and handover documentation.

Key Requirements:

• We are looking for an individual who combines strong organizational capability with a process-oriented mindset and excellent communication skills.
• A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, Project Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum 2 to 5 years of proven project management or project coordination experience (candidates with strong transferable project management expertise from non-real estate/construction sectors are welcome to apply).
• Demonstrated capability in managing project schedules, tracking deliverables, and coordinating multi-stakeholder workflows.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with meticulous attention to detail.
• Proficiency in project management and office tools (e.g., MS Project, Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
• Native-level or fluent Japanese (written and spoken) to manage local contractors, authorities, and domestic stakeholders effectively.
• Business-level or higher English (written and spoken) to communicate with international clients, senior management, and global partners.
• Beyond technical skills, the successful candidate will be someone who is:
• Process-driven – structured in managing tasks, timelines, and documentation across multiple workstreams.
• Proactive – willing to take ownership, anticipate project bottlenecks, and drive solutions.
• Detail-oriented – meticulous when reviewing cost proposals, schedules, and progress reports.
• Collaborative – comfortable liaising between clients, external consultants, contractors, and internal leadership.
• Adaptable – capable of managing shifting priorities across fast-paced project environments.
• Career-driven – eager to learn and grow into a full Project Manager role.

Why This Opportunity?

This is more than a project support role. It offers the chance to work alongside industry-leading project management experts in Tokyo while managing high-profile projects for premier domestic and international clients.

You will gain comprehensive, end-to-end exposure across project inception, design management, tendering, construction oversight, cost control, and handover – establishing a solid foundation for a successful long-term career in project management.

If you are interested to find out more, apply now!