Title:Scientific Project Manager I

Location: Washington, D.C. metro area

Summary

Rios Partners is a mission-driven consulting firm creating positive change by delivering value for our clients, investing in our employees, and solving tough problems that benefit our local and global communities. We ground our approach in empathy, enabling our team members to better hear our customers’ challenges and work together to develop effective solutions. As a team, we know what it takes to move organizations forward with measurable, sustainable results.

Our primary consideration when evaluating candidates is alignment with our Mission and Values, which can be found at  http://www.riospartners.com/mission-and-values/. 

Job Description

We are seeking experienced and highly motivated Project Managers to support the National Science Foundation (NSF). In this role, the candidate will perform a variety of tasks including planning, coordination, execution, and oversight of research, innovation, partnership, and award management activities across a diverse portfolio of scientific and technical programs.

The ideal candidate will bring deep experience in project and program management, research oversight, and federal grants administration, combined with a strong background in science, engineering, or mathematics. This role requires exceptional organizational, analytical, and communication skills, along with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a high-profile government research environment.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Program Planning & Project Management

• Define project scope, objectives, and deliverables; develop and maintain detailed project schedules and plans.
• Coordinate and support the development of program solicitations, management plans, and interagency agreements.
• Track project and program tasks, milestones, and deliverables; provide regular status reports to leadership.

• Develop and implement procedures to improve programmatic processes and support continuous improvement.

2. Proposal & Award Management

• Support proposal management, including pre-award activities, proposal reviews, panel logistics, and reviewer recruitment.
• Assist with award management, including tracking documents, data analysis, and compliance with NSF policies.
• Coordinate post-award oversight, including monitoring progress, deliverables, budgets, and reporting requirements.

3. Program & Stakeholder Coordination

• Organize and facilitate workshops, meetings, webinars, and community engagement activities.
• Prepare materials and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Support knowledge management, data synthesis, and trend analysis to inform program decisions.

4. Quality, Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure compliance with NSF policies, procedures, and Section 508 accessibility requirements.
• Prepare and deliver required reports, including progress, quality control, conflict of interest, and travel summaries.
• Support transition-in, onboarding, and surge support activities as needed.

5. Process Improvement & Best Practices

• Develop and document standard operating procedures, checklists, and process guidance.
• Capture lessons learned and best practices for knowledge sharing across programs.

Required education, skills, and experience

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in program management, research administration, or federally funded research initiatives.

• Deep experience in research project oversight, stakeholder engagement, and federal grant management.
• Proven ability to manage large-scale projects, complex budgets, and multi-institution collaborations.
• Extensive experience with research proposal evaluations, peer review processes, and strategic funding oversight.
• Knowledge of technology commercialization strategies.
• Experience working in the innovation ecosystem, including high-growth technology enterprises, and with a federal government funding research agency working in a Science, Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA).
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote) and scheduling tools like Outlook.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with experience preparing reports, policy briefs, and public research summaries.
• Proven ability to collaborate with senior executives, federal agencies, and academic research communities.
• Skilled in building consensus, resolving complex challenges, and influencing strategic outcomes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) or related field.
• Prior experience working with NSF, federal science agencies, or academic research organizations.
• Prior experience with technology transfer/commercialization process preferred.
• Familiarity with government funding mechanisms, federal research policy, and grant administration best practices.
• Experience using data visualization and analytics tools to assess program effectiveness and funding impact.
• Background in scientific program coordination, public sector consulting, or technology policy development.

Additional information

• U.S. work authorization required
• Workplace Type: Hybrid; however, the candidate must be local to the DMV.
• Employment Type: Full-Time
• Travel: Limited travel outside the DMV may be required based on project needs.
• Security Clearance: Must be able to obtain a Federal ID Card and Public Trust.

Benefits Information:

• Profit-sharing/Performance Bonus: Rios Partners is committed to ensuring the success of the organization benefits the entire team. As such, a portion of profits is paid out to employees. The total amount of Profit-Sharing/Performance Bonus distributed to the team may vary year to year and will depend on numerous factors, including market conditions, company performance, and individual performance.
• Retirement plan: Rios Partners offers a 401(k) and contributes an amount equivalent to 3% of the employee’s base salary each month to the designated fund. Employees may choose to contribute additional money into the 401(k) from their paycheck each month.
• Health insurance: Rios Partners Offers health benefits through an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA). This option empowers employees with more personalized healthcare options. With ICHRA, Rios Partners contributes tax-free dollars toward your health insurance premiums, giving you the flexibility to choose a plan that best fits your needs—rather than being limited to a traditional group plan.
• Vision insurance: Rios Partners offers a vision plan through MetLife that covers eye exams, glasses, contacts and other vision related services.
• Dental insurance: Rios Partners covers the premium for both the employee and their dependents for a dental insurance plan through MetLife, employees can purchase up to a higher-level plan.
• Disability insurance: Rios Partners will pay 100% of the premium for both short-term and long-term disability insurance provided through MetLife.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and holidays: You will be eligible for three weeks of PTO (15 days) and 12 paid holidays each year. In additional accrued PTO, Rios Partners provides additional time off for both expected and unexpected events (e.g., Bereavement Leave, Jury Duty, Voting).
• Maternity, Paternity, and Adoption Leave: Rios Partners celebrates employees’ choice to become parents. We are also aware that pregnancy and caring for an infant or a newly adopted child may cause additional life complexities. As such, we provide employees twelve (12) weeks of paid leave in association with the birth of an employee’s own child or the placement of a child with the employee in connection with adoption or foster care. To be eligible for Maternity/Paternity/Adoption Leave Program, team members must: 1) Have worked at Rios Partners full-time for a minimum of 12 continuous months. 2) Be in good employment standing with Rios Partners (i.e., not on probation). 3) Request leave a minimum of 30 days in advance if possible. If this is not possible, please place your request as soon as possible once you become aware of it. Regardless of eligibility for the Rios Partners Maternity/Paternity/Adoption Leave Program, all Rios Partners employees are eligible for the Department of Labor’s Family and Medical Leave Act entitlements as well as Rios Partners Short Term Disability plan.
• Employee Assistance Program: Rios Partners cares about the mental health of our employees. Through our employee assistance program, Health Advocate, we offer sessions to address personal issues such as relationship struggles, substance abuse, parenting challenges and grief. Health Advocate also provides Healthcare related, mental and personal as well as Work/Life support and resources for every eligible employee.
• Training and Development: Rios Partners is committed to helping you achieve your highest potential. Our personal view is that this is best accomplished through a combination of client engagements, opportunities to take on new roles within the team, and internal (team) / external (expert) training.

Equal Opportunity Employer