Advice for JLL Project and Development Service role
Hello. I am interested in transitioning into a project management track role within JLLs Project and Development Services segment. I am a licensed architect and my current title is project manager but I feel that title is perhaps a bit generous. None of my current work deals with adhering to or creating a budget. That is handled by others in my office. I do define project scope and manage  the timelines of projects under my responsibility. So I feel like I’ve got a grasp on two of the three legs of project management but feel a little inadequate on the financial side, which frankly seems the most important. I was wondering if any one had any advice for making this jump. Should I look at associate PM positions even though that is a step down in “title”? Could I learn the budgeting part on the job? I feel like I could learn it quickly… but there is the fear of not knowing what you don’t know. Any other advice for skills I should highlight or focus on? Can anyone working in these roles provide an overview typical day? What was your background?
[{"id": "i0xcvlu", "text": "If you are already in a PM role with JLL then I would suspect that the budgeting and/or accounting part of the project will be something you will learn as you gain experience.  If you feel like you will not get that experience at JLL or that they are not willing to train you then you could always jump ship to a different firm.  To be fair to JLL, budgeting is not really an entry level role (you didn't say your experience level) so its not unusual that you wouldn't have exposure to that part of the process until you have mastered other parts of the job first.", "replies": [{"id": "i0xdlq6", "text": "Sorry if I wasn\u2019t clear in my post. I don\u2019t work at JLL. I\u2019m currently at a completely different company but am interested in applying to JLL and looking for advice on how to do so. As far as experience level, I\u2019d say I have mid level architecture experience.", "replies": [{"id": "i0xf1od", "text": "OK in that case then I wouldn't worry so much about the budget or financial part of it just yet.  You're going to have a lot to learn and that is only one of many new things that will be on your list.  I know JLL is hiring a ton right now and I'm sure as an Architect you will make an attractive candidate.  The only other options for you would be going in-house to a developer or another JLL competitor in the PM world - there are many.", "replies": [{"id": "i0xfx1z", "text": "Thanks. Good to know that particular lack of experience won\u2019t immediately exclude me from these positions. I have looked at competitors and in-house developer positions as well. JLL just seemed the best chance, perhaps, as I am located in Chicago and, as you said, they have a lot of open positions.", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "i0xmh0y", "text": "Do you have any idea what is involved in the financial side?\n\nI'm a PM (albeit in multifamily) but I started with the financial and have had to learn the legal, design, and const. If your role would just be creating and following a budget, that's pretty easy to pick up. Especially considering you understand the construction side. You'll be able to read plan sets estimate quantities etc. I'm sure they have a system for this. Probably an RSMeans account or the like. Then following a budget is really nothing more than diligently tracking invoices: addition/subtraction. A good budgeter will also be thinking ahead to hedge risk. But you'll pick up that \"situational awareness\" as you go \n\nA project manager in development is a problem solver. Almost no one starts put knowing all three of the disciplines you mentioned. Often they know one or two and learn the others. Be eager and curious and I say go for it.", "replies": [{"id": "i0xqtfo", "text": "Thanks for the reply. Quite honestly the financial side is a big hole in my knowledge base. Maybe I am over thinking it because it is an unknown for me but it feels like a hurdle. I do own and manage a few multi-family residential buildings so I\u2019m not completely clueless. But there also was not a super sophisticated financial assessment either. Basically I compared the estimate mortgage, insurance, &amp; property taxes again my assumed rental income. I adhere to a budget in my personal life but developing a budget for a commercial RE project seems like a mystery to me. Construction cost estimation is something I\u2019ve never done either. That has always been handled by a GC.\n\nMy experience lies more in design and construction. Particularly with building and zoning code. I also have quite a bit of experience obtaining building permits and other approvals, interfacing with city officials, working in a client facing role, leading meetings to provide progress updates and outlining next steps and assigning those tasks to the applicable people.\n\nWhen it comes down to it, I feel like I\u2019m fairly qualified for a PM role but would need guidance on maybe one or two projects first to really know the ropes to take a project fully on my own at a new company. And I don\u2019t know if that means I should come in at an Assistant PM position or if there will be enough of a training period going directly to a PM role.", "replies": [{"id": "i11iri4", "text": "Ok, that is helpful clarification.\n\nIf you aren't estimating (which I didn't really think you would be because that is like a whole career path in itself) and just making the budget, you're just making educated guesses. Let's say you need an environmental report. Call two or three firms and you'll have a decent idea of costs. It's kinda art/science because these projects are so big and complex that a budget is going to go through probably upwards of 30 iterations as you hone it down as you get closer to kickoff and can begin to lock in prices in earnest. \n\nThe middle paragraph of your response is PERFECT pm experience. You're going to have to keep interfacing with those agencies and people as a PM. You'll keep records, assign tasks, and set deadlines/goals. I think you could be a slightly overqualified assistant PM tbh. But that role may have more or less responsibility depending on the firm. But i wouldn't want to go from leading meetings/teams to taking notes for the person leading the meeting. But that's just me.", "replies": [{"id": "i11k1u2", "text": "Ya I agree. I feel like I\u2019m probably overqualified for an Assistant PM position but under qualified to truly go straight to PM. I suppose I should aim upwards and force myself to learn quickly.", "replies": [{"id": "i11m8m4", "text": "Yeah...i think it's kinda interchangeable tbh. My boss is the COO and he calls himself a PM with a fancy title.", "replies": [], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "i0ywt8q", "text": "Location/Market?", "replies": [{"id": "i0z1izl", "text": "Chicago. My preference would be to work on residential, office or retail projects but would potential be open to other industries", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}]