Aptive seeks an experienced, highly organized, and detail-oriented Project Manager to provide full-time leadership and oversight in support of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Communications and Public Liaison (OCPL). In this role, the Project Manager will deliver comprehensive program, portfolio, and project management support across a broad range of high-visibility communications, media, outreach, event, and digital initiatives that advance NIH’s mission to communicate health, medical, and scientific research to diverse audiences.

The Project Manager will work closely with NIH leadership, program staff, communications professionals, technical teams, and external partners to ensure the timely, high-quality, and compliant execution of multiple concurrent workstreams in a fast-paced, demand-driven environment. This role requires strong coordination skills to manage competing priorities, support surge requirements, and maintain alignment with evolving agency needs.

The ideal candidate brings demonstrated experience managing complex federal communications or health-related programs, preferably within NIH or other HHS operating divisions, and excels at balancing strategic oversight with hands-on execution. The Project Manager consistently exceeds client expectations by delivering high-quality work products, maintaining rigorous control of schedules and budgets, and fostering collaborative, trusted relationships with government stakeholders.

• 5+ years of experience providing portfolio, program, and/or project management support for complex initiatives, preferably in support of federal health, science, communications, or public affairs programs. Experience supporting NIH, HHS, or other federal agencies is strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., communications, public health, health sciences, business administration, project management, or a related discipline).
• Demonstrated ability to lead and coordinate large, cross-functional teams, including communications professionals, technical staff, vendors, and subcontractors, while maintaining clear, effective written and verbal communication with federal stakeholders.
• Experience managing contract budgets, including labor hour tracking, burn rate monitoring, cost control, and preparation of status reports and invoices.
• Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent, high-visibility workstreams with competing priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and project management and collaboration platforms used to track schedules, budgets, deliverables, and tasking (e.g., MS Project, SharePoint, Teams, or equivalent tools).

• Strategic, solutions-oriented thinker with the ability to execute across a wide range of communications, outreach, media, event, and digital deliverables, maintaining a high level of attention to detail in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing end-to-end project lifecycles for complex federal initiatives, including work planning, resource coordination, schedule management, risk identification and mitigation, and performance tracking.
• Familiarity with the NIH organizational structure, including the Office of the Director and Institutes and Centers (ICs), and experience navigating matrixed environments with multiple stakeholders and approval pathways.
• Experience developing, maintaining, and updating detailed project plans, integrated schedules, task trackers, and milestone/deliverable matrices to manage multiple concurrent workstreams.
• Proven ability to coordinate and facilitate communication among diverse stakeholder groups, including communications professionals, technical and IT staff, scientific subject matter experts, administrative personnel, vendors, and senior federal leadership.
• Strong analytical skills with experience synthesizing program, schedule, and financial data and translating it into clear, concise briefing materials, dashboards, and status updates for leadership and oversight audiences.
• Highly skilled in facilitating, documenting, and following up on project meetings, including preparing agendas, capturing meeting minutes, tracking action items and decisions, and ensuring timely closure of assigned tasks.

Aptive partners with federal agencies to achieve their missions through improved performance, streamlined operations and enhanced service delivery. Based in Alexandria, Virginia, we support more than a dozen agencies including Veterans Affairs, Transportation, Defense, Homeland Security and the National Science Foundation. ​

We specialize in applying technology, creativity and human-centered services to optimize mission delivery and improve experiences for millions of people who count on government services every day. ​

Founded: 2012
Employees: 300+ nationwide

Aptive is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, parental status, veteran status, age, disability, or any other protected class.

Veterans, members of the Reserve and National Guard, and transitioning active-duty service members are highly encouraged to apply.