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Professional Consultant Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Financial Management Consultant

Washington, DC · On-site

$74K - $124K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Guidehouse is currently seeking a professional consultant in support of our federal law enforcement client. The Consultant will lead and support key business process improvement initiatives ...

Financial Management Consultant

Washington, DC · On-site

$74K - $124K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Guidehouse is currently seeking a professional consultant in support of our federal law enforcement client. The Consultant will lead and support key business process improvement initiatives ...

Defense Financial Manager

Arlington, VA · On-site

$89K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We are seeking provenmilitary financial managers to continue their career as a professional consultant.The successful candidates will leverage proven FM skills and knowledge to assist our Military ...

Our teams work across consulting and communications to help clients shape strategy, launch ... We provide a competitive rewards package designed to support your health, well-being, professional ...

Consultant

Washington, DC · On-site

$118K/yr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Our teams work across consulting and communications to help clients shape strategy, launch ... We provide a competitive rewards package designed to support your health, well-being, professional ...

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Showing results 1-20

Professional Consultant information

See Reston, VA salary details

$25

$41

$74

How much do professional consultant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for professional consultant in Reston, VA is $41.66, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $26.01 and $57.79 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a professional consultant?

To thrive as a Professional Consultant, you need strong analytical abilities, problem-solving skills, and relevant industry expertise, often supported by a bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with project management tools, data analysis software, and relevant certifications (such as PMP or Lean Six Sigma) is typically required. Exceptional communication, adaptability, and relationship-building skills help consultants effectively work with clients and teams. These competencies are essential for delivering valuable insights, driving client success, and sustaining a competitive edge in the consulting industry.

What does a professional consultant do?

A professional consultant provides expert advice and solutions to organizations or individuals to improve their performance, efficiency, or profitability. They analyze problems, develop strategies, and often use specialized tools or methodologies to implement recommendations. Consultants may work independently or as part of consulting firms and typically require strong analytical, communication, and industry-specific skills.

What are some common challenges faced by professional consultants when working with new clients?

Professional consultants often encounter challenges such as quickly understanding a client's unique business environment, establishing trust, and managing stakeholder expectations. Each client may have different communication styles, priorities, and organizational cultures, requiring consultants to be highly adaptable and proactive in their approach. Navigating ambiguity and aligning project goals with client needs are essential skills, and successful consultants often rely on strong interpersonal abilities and structured project management techniques to overcome these hurdles.

What is a professional consultant?

Professional consultants are experts who provide advice, guidance, and solutions to organizations or individuals in a specific field, such as business, management, finance, IT, or human resources. They analyze problems, identify opportunities for improvement, and help clients implement effective strategies to achieve their goals. Consultants may work independently or as part of a consulting firm, often bringing specialized knowledge and an objective perspective to the challenges their clients face.

What is the difference between Professional Consultant vs Business Analyst?

AspectProfessional ConsultantBusiness Analyst
Required CredentialsTypically holds certifications like PMP, CAPM, or industry-specific credentialsOften has degrees in business, finance, or related fields; certifications like CBAP are common
Work EnvironmentWorks independently or with consulting firms, often on client sitesWorks within organizations to analyze and improve business processes
Employer & Industry UsageHired by consulting firms or as independent contractors across various industriesEmployed by companies or organizations to support project and process improvements

While both roles involve analyzing and improving business practices, a Professional Consultant typically offers expert advice across multiple clients and industries, often working independently. A Business Analyst focuses on internal organizational processes, working within a company to implement solutions. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and client expectations.

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

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

What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Professional Consultant jobs?

Cities near Reston, VA with the most Professional Consultant job openings:

Infographic showing various Professional Consultant job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,650 per year, or $41.7 per hour.

Lead Acquisition Professional Consultant

Steel Point Solutions

Washington, DC

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago


Job description

Steel Point Solutions is an amazing SBA Certified (8a), HUBZone, Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) and a Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB) company. Established in 2013 with a vision of offering world class, integrated business solutions for all levels of Government and commercial enterprises. We are represented by a team of talented and qualified professionals who know how essential efficient, cost-effective integrated solutions are to your organization's success. Leveraging these resources, we strive daily to lead the industry in program management and service delivery.

Role Summary

The Acquisition Lead/Program Manager provides strategic leadership and hands-on oversight across all phases of program execution within the federal contracting environment. This dual-role leader combines deep expertise in federal acquisition management with proven program and project management skills to ensure delivery of mission-critical initiatives. The individual oversees contract performance, resource allocation, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance—ensuring programs are delivered on time, within budget, and in full alignment with government requirements and organizational goals.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

Acquisition Strategy & Compliance

  • Advise government program managers on acquisition planning, contract execution, and regulatory compliance across the full acquisition lifecycle.
  • Ensure adherence to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), and agency-specific procurement protocols.
  • Serve as the primary interface with Contracting Officer Representatives (CORs), aligning deliverables with contract requirements and performance metrics.
  • Develop Statements of Work (SOWs), acquisition strategies, independent government cost estimates (IGCEs), and Justifications and Approvals (J&As) for other than full and open competition.

Program & Project Management

  • Lead large-scale, complex government programs and contracts from initiation through closeout, ensuring adherence to schedule, budget, and performance standards.
  • Manage integrated project plans, risk registers, resource matrices, and stakeholder communication strategies to ensure program transparency and accountability.
  • Oversee day-to-day operational execution, including cost control, milestone tracking, and team coordination across functional and technical domains.
  • Drive the implementation of work breakdown structures (WBS), integrated master schedules (IMS), and earned value management (EVM) to track performance and cost variances.

Cross-Functional Team Leadership

  • Supervise and mentor multidisciplinary teams of acquisition, financial, and technical professionals to execute programmatic goals.
  • Foster a collaborative team environment that encourages open communication, innovation, and alignment with client objectives.
  • Facilitate performance reviews, staffing decisions, and workload balancing to meet evolving program demands.

Client Engagement & Stakeholder Management

  • Cultivate strong relationships with government clients, ensuring their evolving needs are met and exceeded through adaptive delivery models.
  • Provide regular program status updates, briefings, and executive summaries to senior leadership, contracting officers, and oversight bodies.
  • Act as a trusted advisor to clients on acquisition reform, modernization strategies, and best practices.

Required Qualifications:

  • Active Public Trust Clearance Required
  • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Management, Public Policy, or relevant technical field (Master's degree preferred).
  • Certifications
    • PMP (Project Management Professional)
  • 12+ years of experience in federal acquisition, contract management, and/or program management.
  • 10+ years in managing complex government programs, with 5+ years in a leadership or supervisory role.
  • 10+ years of experience managing multiple contract types (FFP, T&M, IDIQ/BPA) and leading source selections, contract modifications, and performance evaluations.
  • Proven experience in developing and commercializing software toolkits.
  • Demonstrated success managing cross-functional teams in the execution of multimillion-dollar government programs
  • Track record of ensuring program compliance, risk mitigation, and quality delivery under strict federal guidelines.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master's degree in Business Administration, Management, Public Policy, or relevant technical field
  • Certifications
    • FAC-P/PM or DAWIA Level III in Program Management or Contracting
    • Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM) or equivalent

Skills and Competencies

Technical & Acquisition Knowledge

  • Deep knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and agency-specific procurement regulations.
  • Skilled in drafting and reviewing acquisition packages, IGCEs, source selection plans, evaluation criteria, and compliance checklists.
  • Strong understanding of contract types, CLIN structures, and regulatory requirements including small business participation, CPARS, and invoicing.

Program & Financial Management

  • Proficient in managing program schedules, cost control, and budgeting using EVM and related tools.
  • Strong command of tools such as MS Project, Deltek, and custom government systems (e.g., PRISM, FPDS-NG, SAM.gov).
  • Ability to apply industry standards and frameworks such as PMI PMBOK, Agile, and ITIL in hybrid project environments.

Leadership & Communication

  • Effective leader and mentor with experience managing geographically dispersed teams and subcontractors.
  • High emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills for influencing, negotiating, and resolving stakeholder concerns.
  • Skilled in creating executive-level briefings, audit responses, and performance reports.

Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving

  • Exceptional analytical capabilities to identify, assess, and resolve acquisition risks and operational constraints.
  • Adaptive thinker capable of balancing strategic direction with tactical execution in dynamic environments.
  • Continuous improvement mindset focused on increasing acquisition efficiency, cycle time reduction, and cost-effectiveness.

Candidates from Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone) are strongly encouraged to apply. To determine whether you reside in a HUBZone, visit: https://maps.certify.sba.gov/hubzone/map.

The salary range represents a general guideline; however, Steel Point Solutions considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Salary Range
$115,000—$135,000 USD

Steel Point offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible full-time positions, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, 401K with company match, critical care voluntary insurance, flexible paid time off, paid holidays and opportunities for professional development reimbursement. Join us to enjoy competitive compensation and a full range of benefits designed to support your well-being and work-life balance.

The salary range represents a general guideline; however, Steel Point Solutions considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Salary Range
$115,000—$135,000 USD