Creative Project Manager Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Project Manager

At Salas O’Brien we tell our clients that we’re engineered for impact. This passion for making a difference applies just as much to our team as it does to our projects. That’s why we’re committed to living our values every day: inspiring, achieving, and connecting as shared owners of our success with a focus on a sustainable future.

Building for the long-term means that all of our team members can expect to work on amazing projects with a people-first approach to problem solving. It also means that each member of our team has truly limitless potential to build a unique, meaningful, and high-impact career—and they’ll receive great total rewards along the way.

Job Summary:

The Project Manager serves as the primary interface with our Department of the Navy clients, responsible for managing client relationships, leading project execution, and delivering high-quality analytical and strategic products. This role requires a balance of project management discipline, executive-level communication, and analytical problem-solving to support the development and execution of Public-Public and Public-Private partnership initiatives under Title 10 authorities.

The Project Manager leads cross-functional teams, facilitates senior-level meetings and working groups, and translates complex financial, real estate, and policy considerations into actionable recommendations for government decision-makers.

The Project Manager will work with the Program Manager on monthly project reports, financial reporting, project tracking, and client management to ensure project timeline, scope, and budget are met.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Client & Leadership

• Serve as the primary point of contact for Navy clients, maintaining strong, trust-based relationships
• Lead engagements with senior military and civilian leadership, including O-6/GS-15 and above
• Facilitate and lead high-visibility meetings, workshops, and briefings

Public Speaking / Communication

• Develop and deliver executive-level briefings (PowerPoint, decision memos, white papers)
• Translate complex analyses into clear, actionable recommendations
• Confidently present to large and senior audiences

Project & Team Management

• Lead and manage a team of SMEs across financial, real estate, and policy domains
• Own project delivery across scope, schedule, and quality
• Provide direction, feedback, and mentorship to junior staff

Analytical / Strategic Work

• Lead COA development, feasibility analysis, and financial modeling
• Structure ambiguous problems and guide teams toward defensible solutions
• Synthesize data into decision-quality insights

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree (BA/BS) from an accredited college or university, or equivalent
• 5-8 years of work experience
• Preferred military experience
• Other skills required:
  • Demonstrated experience managing client relationships in a consulting or government environment
  • Strong public speaking and facilitation skills, with experience briefing senior stakeholders
  • Proven ability to lead projects and teams in dynamic, ambiguous environments
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, including experience synthesizing complex data into clear recommendations
  • Experience supporting DoD, Department of the Navy, or federal clients (strongly preferred)
  • Background in real estate, infrastructure, public-private partnerships, or financial analysis (preferred)

Key Differentiators

• Experience briefing Flag/SES-level leadership
• Experience with Title 10 authorities, P3/P4 partnerships, or federal real estate
• Consulting background (Big 4, federal consulting firms, etc.)
• Military or prior DoD civilian experience

Skills/Abilities:

• Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; collects and researches data; uses intuition and experience to complement data; designs workflows and procedures
• Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; arrives at meetings and appointments on time
• Business Acumen - Demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; aligns work with strategic goals
• Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; develops and implements cost saving measures; contributes to profits and revenue; conserves organizational resources
• Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; responds promptly to customer needs; solicits customer feedback to improve service; responds to requests for service and assistance; meets commitments
• Design - Generates creative solutions; uses feedback to modify designs; demonstrates attention to detail
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with challenging topics
• Project Management - Coordinates projects; communicates changes and progress; completes projects on time and budget
• Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; reports potentially unsafe conditions; uses equipment and materials properly
• Technical Skills - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; pursues training and development opportunities; strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; shares expertise with others

You will love it here if you:

• Enjoy working through details and executing complex projects
• Thrive in a client-facing, fast-paced delivery environment
• Prefer building relationships through consistent, day-to-day engagement
• Enjoy working with community and military leadership
• Desire a performance-based culture and semi-annual bonus structure
• Desire a high growth potential

Location: Baltimore, MD/Washington, DC

Travel: Position is based out of the Navy Yard with quarterly travel to CNIC installations as agreed upon with the client.

Compensation:

The expected base salary range for this role is $90,000-$104,000 per year. Actual compensation will be determined based on a number of factors including skills, experience, qualifications, and location.

This role is also eligible for performance-based bonuses and a comprehensive U.S. based benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and company holidays
• Wellness programs and employee assistance resources
• Professional development support

For more information, visit our full benefits overview here.

About Us:

Founded in 1975, Salas O’Brien is an employee-owned engineering and professional services firm focused on achieving impact for our clients, our team, and the world. We know that tomorrow’s requirements are today’s opportunities, and we are here to design lasting solutions for pressing challenges.

We work across a variety of industries providing integrated engineering and consulting services. Our specialized experience includes design for data centers, healthcare, science and technology, high-rise buildings, clean energy, education, and other building types as well as structural and building sciences, infrastructure asset management, advanced robotics, and more.

Our technical expertise is paired with an exceptional team of business development, human resources, finance and accounting, information technology, and marketing professionals, all of whom play a key role in bringing our commitments to life every day.

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

Salas O’Brien provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/provincial, or local laws. Salas O’Brien will accommodate the disability-related needs of applicants as required by law.