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$54.6K

$152K

$257K

How much do portfolio director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for portfolio director in Reston, VA is $152,010.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $103,500.00 and $202,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a portfolio director?

A Portfolio Director is a senior management professional responsible for overseeing a group of related projects or programs within an organization. Their main role is to ensure that these projects align with the company's strategic goals, optimize resource allocation, and deliver maximum value. Portfolio Directors often coordinate with project managers, stakeholders, and executives to prioritize initiatives, manage risks, and track overall performance. They play a key role in decision-making to balance competing demands and achieve business objectives across the portfolio.

How does a portfolio director typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve project goals?

A Portfolio Director works closely with project managers, department heads, and executive leadership to align projects with organizational strategy. They facilitate communication between teams, prioritize initiatives based on business value, and resolve resource conflicts. Regular portfolio review meetings and status updates are common practices, ensuring that all stakeholders are informed and that projects progress smoothly toward shared objectives. This collaborative approach is key to managing risks and adapting to changing organizational needs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a portfolio director, and why are they important?

To succeed as a Portfolio Director, you need strong strategic planning, financial analysis, and project management skills, usually supported by a relevant degree and experience managing multiple projects or investments. Familiarity with portfolio management software, financial modeling tools, and certifications like PMP or CFA can be highly beneficial. Leadership, negotiation, and effective communication are essential soft skills for guiding teams and stakeholders. These competencies ensure the successful alignment, execution, and optimization of projects or investments within organizational goals.

What is the difference between Portfolio Director vs Project Manager?

AspectPortfolio DirectorProject Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees multiple projects and programs aligning with strategic goalsManages individual projects, ensuring timely delivery and scope management
CredentialsOften requires advanced degrees and certifications like PMP or PgMPTypically holds PMP or similar project management certifications
Work EnvironmentStrategic, executive-level, often in corporate or agency settingsOperational, team-focused, working directly on project execution
FocusPortfolio oversight, strategic alignment, resource allocationProject planning, execution, and delivery

The main difference between a Portfolio Director and a Project Manager lies in scope and focus. The Portfolio Director oversees multiple projects and aligns them with strategic business goals, while the Project Manager concentrates on managing individual projects to ensure successful completion. Both roles often require similar certifications, but their responsibilities and work environments differ significantly.

How do you become a portfolio director?

To become a portfolio director, candidates typically need extensive experience in project or program management, strong leadership skills, and a deep understanding of the industry or organization. Earning relevant certifications such as PMP or PgMP can enhance qualifications, and developing expertise in strategic planning and stakeholder management is essential. Progressing through roles like project manager or senior manager often leads to this executive position.

How much do portfolio directors make?

Portfolio directors typically earn between $100,000 and $200,000 annually, depending on experience, industry, and location. They often oversee multiple projects or investments and require strong leadership and strategic planning skills.

What are the most commonly searched types of Portfolio jobs in Reston, VA?

The most popular types of Portfolio jobs in Reston, VA are:

What job categories do people searching Portfolio Director jobs in Reston, VA look for?

The top searched job categories for Portfolio Director jobs in Reston, VA are:

What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Portfolio Director jobs?

Cities near Reston, VA with the most Portfolio Director job openings:

Portfolio Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Portfolio Director job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $152,010 per year, or $73.1 per hour.

Space Program/Portfolio Analyst

Arlington, VA

Riverside Research
501 - 1,000 employees
Learn more about Riverside Researchexternal

$130K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago

Job description

Riverside Overview

Riverside Research is an independent National Security Nonprofit dedicated to research and development in the national interest. We provide high-end technical services, research and development, and prototype solutions to some of the country’s most challenging technical problems. All Riverside Research opportunities require U.S. Citizenship.

Position Overview

Riverside Research is seeking a Portfolio and Program Analyst to support the Defense Innovation Unit's (DIU). This dynamic role will support DIU's Space Portfolio in its efforts to identify, attract, and acquire cutting-edge commercial technologies to support Department of Defense. This role will provide data analysis along with cost, schedule, performance, and execution tracking supporting the program managers, commercial vendors, and mission partners working within the DIU Space Portfolio. The individual must have experience providing programmatic support or program controls support for DoD programs. The individual is a highly organized analyst with excellent communication and presentation skills. Prior experience supporting DoD acquisitions is highly desired. The position will collaborate with teams of commercial and military program leads, scientists, engineers, and other stakeholders, and is based in Arlington, VA with alternate locations: Austin, TX; Boston, MA; and Mountain View, CA.

Responsibilities

    • Provide business operations and professional support services to the Portfolio Director and team of Space Program Managers and Commercial Engagement team
    • Support the Portfolio Director and core DIU mission in acting as an interface between the DoD, entrepreneurs, venture communities, and commercial technology companies
    • Develop and maintain high-level knowledge on projects across the portfolio and assist the Portfolio Director, PMs, and Acquisition Team in managing the project pipeline and data retrieval
    • Support DIU’s acquisition processes and review and evaluate commercial prototype proposals
    • Support Space Portfolio leadership with development of weekly reporting materials and execution of monthly Portfolio Management Reviews
    • Data entry ensuring key contractual information is accurately reflected in SalesForce.
    • Support DIU Space Portfolio PMs with SalesForce updates
    • Support to DIU Space Portfolio leadership, Acquisition team, and PMs with data retrieval
    • Support Space Portfolio leadership with development of weekly reporting materials and execution of monthly Portfolio Management Reviews
    • Ability to understand and apply DIU's Commercial Solutions Opening process
    • Support content curation for the Portfolio and DIU marketing, including technical writing, draft and editing of presentations, reports, project summaries and achievements, meeting minutes, and white papers
    • Support in the cost, schedule, performance, and execution tracking of DIU Space Portfolio projects, other program management and program controls duties as assigned

Qualifications

Required Qualifications/Experience

  • A minimum of 2 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree, an advanced degree without experience, or equivalent work experience is typically required for an employee at this level.

    Required Qualifications/Experience

  • Passion for emerging IT/cybersecurity technologies
  • Strong written and oral communication skills
  • Ability to present complex content clearly and simply, tailored to diverse audiences
  • Effective organizational and time management skills
  • Demonstrated ability to take initiative and proactively lead projects through completion
  • Ability to gather and analyze qualitative and quantitative data points and produce targeted messaging and key points succinctly
  • Interest in working as part of a distributed team driven by innovation and self-motivation
  • Ability to work collaboratively and develop strong working relationships to achieve business goals
  • Proven success at managing competing priorities
  • Experience with MS Tools, Google Suite, and other collaboration tools
  • Active TS/SCI clearance

Preferred Qualifications/Experience

  • Previous project management or project controls experience – preferably in a technical field
  • Previous experience in research, analytical, or project management role
  • Previous experience with commercial or DoD/USG Space Programs and technology
  • Previous experience with Salesforce (Data Entry, Data Analysis, Usage)
  • Previous experience with DoD acquisition and contracting support and analysis
  • PMP and/or SAFe Agile Certifications

Global Comp

$130,000 - 150,000 This represents the typical compensation range for this position based on experience, location and other factors.

Closing Statement

Riverside Research Institute is a not-for-profit, technology-oriented defense company, where service to our customers and support of our staff is our overall mission. Riverside is an affirmative action-equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding recruitment and hiring. Riverside offers comprehensive compensation and benefit packages to our employees. Riverside bases its employment decisions solely on technical experience, qualifications and other job-related criteria related to our organizational purpose as a not-for-profit company, and without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, veteran’s status or any other status legally protected by applicable federal, state, and local law.

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