Principal Research Associate - Senior Project Manager at Westat
Rockville, MD
About the Job
Westat is an employee-owned corporation providing research services to agencies of the U.S. Government, as well as businesses, foundations, and state and local governments. Westat's research, technical, and administrative staff of more than 2,000 is located at our headquarters in Rockville, Maryland, near Washington, DC.
Westat is committed to building a diverse workforce and a culture of inclusivity, belonging and equity for all. We believe that our greatest strength draws on the different backgrounds, cultures, perspectives and experiences of our employees.
Westat is seeking a Principal Research Associate/Senior Project Manager to design and implement corporate project management trainings and to manage client-facing projects in varied research areas.
This role is remote eligible, a hybrid work arrangement is preferred.
Job Summary
The Principal Research Associate/Senior Project Manager will lead and manage both internal projects as well as client-facing projects and will champion mentorship initiatives for project managers across the organization, fostering a community of knowledge sharing and continuous professional development. This newly created position will report to the Vice President of Innovation and Quality and will have frequent interaction with senior leaders from all centers and departments of the firm.
Job Responsibilities
• Leads and manages client-facing projects/tasks, client expectations, and client relationships, ensuring projects and tasks are completed on time and within budget
• Develops and reviews work products to ensure the highest quality
• Manages and oversees the work of subcontractors, as needed
• Disseminates research findings to a variety of audiences
• Serves as technical lead or writer on proposals for government clients and contributes to business development activities, including leading capture efforts
• Establishes and drives the adoption of best practices in project management to achieve business objectives
• Facilitates effective communication among project teams and stakeholders
• Facilitates and prepares training materials and other artifacts for complex initiatives including project director and project manager training
Basic Qualifications
• A master's or doctoral degree in health services, social sciences, public policy, or a related field with at least 10 years of relevant experience
• Demonstrated project management experience in a federal contracting environment
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams of programmers, analysts, and/or researchers
• Demonstrated experience building high performing project management teams
• Proven leadership, collaboration and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated experience developing and delivering project director training programs in a federal contracting environment
Preferred Qualifications
• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification (current)
Other Required Qualifications
• Excellent leadership capabilities, strong judgment, and the ability to work effectively with and influence clients, team members, management and external groups
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong analytical, problem solving and planning ability
Westat offers a well-rounded and comprehensive benefits program focused on wellness and work/life balance. Subject to plan requirements, employees may participate in:
This opportunity will be posted for a minimum of 5 days and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.
Westat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, or any other protected status under applicable law.
Westat is committed to building a diverse workforce and a culture of inclusivity, belonging and equity for all. We believe that our greatest strength draws on the different backgrounds, cultures, perspectives and experiences of our employees.
Westat is seeking a Principal Research Associate/Senior Project Manager to design and implement corporate project management trainings and to manage client-facing projects in varied research areas.
This role is remote eligible, a hybrid work arrangement is preferred.
Job Summary
The Principal Research Associate/Senior Project Manager will lead and manage both internal projects as well as client-facing projects and will champion mentorship initiatives for project managers across the organization, fostering a community of knowledge sharing and continuous professional development. This newly created position will report to the Vice President of Innovation and Quality and will have frequent interaction with senior leaders from all centers and departments of the firm.
Job Responsibilities
• Leads and manages client-facing projects/tasks, client expectations, and client relationships, ensuring projects and tasks are completed on time and within budget
• Develops and reviews work products to ensure the highest quality
• Manages and oversees the work of subcontractors, as needed
• Disseminates research findings to a variety of audiences
• Serves as technical lead or writer on proposals for government clients and contributes to business development activities, including leading capture efforts
• Establishes and drives the adoption of best practices in project management to achieve business objectives
• Facilitates effective communication among project teams and stakeholders
• Facilitates and prepares training materials and other artifacts for complex initiatives including project director and project manager training
Basic Qualifications
• A master's or doctoral degree in health services, social sciences, public policy, or a related field with at least 10 years of relevant experience
• Demonstrated project management experience in a federal contracting environment
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams of programmers, analysts, and/or researchers
• Demonstrated experience building high performing project management teams
• Proven leadership, collaboration and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated experience developing and delivering project director training programs in a federal contracting environment
Preferred Qualifications
• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification (current)
Other Required Qualifications
• Excellent leadership capabilities, strong judgment, and the ability to work effectively with and influence clients, team members, management and external groups
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong analytical, problem solving and planning ability
Westat offers a well-rounded and comprehensive benefits program focused on wellness and work/life balance. Subject to plan requirements, employees may participate in:
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- Paid Parental Leave
- Vacation Leave (20 days per year)
- Sick Leave (10 days per year)
- Holiday Leave (7 government holidays and 2 floating holidays)
- Professional Development
- Health Advocate
- Employee Assistance Program
- Travel Accident Insurance
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Short Term Disability Insurance
- Long Term Disability Insurance
- Life and AD&D Insurance
- Critical Illness Insurance
- Supplemental Life Insurance
- Flexible Spending Account
- Health Savings Account
This opportunity will be posted for a minimum of 5 days and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.
Westat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, or any other protected status under applicable law.
