Deputy Project Manager

OST, Inc.; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits

Bonus potential

Job summary

OST, Inc. is seeking a Deputy Project Manager to serve as the Project Manager's principal operational deputy, overseeing contract performance, quality and risk management, and continuous improvement of contract execution.

You'll collaborate with functional managers to monitor performance, implement corrective actions, and provide reliable operational assessments while exercising delegated authority within contract boundaries.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 10+ years of professional experience, including 5+ years in project/program management.
• Experience overseeing complex federal service operations with multiple stakeholders.
• Expertise in QA, QC, risk management, corrective action, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to interpret PWS, QCP/QASP, SLAs, SOPs, deliverables, and federal procedures.
• Experience establishing accountability and prioritizing competing priorities.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and written communication skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and obtain government approval when needed.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Project Manager's principal operational deputy and successor, overseeing contract performance.
• Direct QA, risk management, and continuous improvement of contract execution.
• Coordinate contract activities, meet performance expectations, and manage risks.
• Monitor performance with functional leads; implement corrective actions and accountability.
• Provide the PM with reliable assessments and early visibility into issues.

Skills

Project management

Leadership of cross-functional teams

Quality assurance

Risk management

Analytical skills

Written communication

Decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree

PMP or comparable credential

Tools

SharePoint

Power BI

Microsoft 365

Dashboards

Workflow automation

Job description

Optimal Solutions & Technologies (OST, Inc.) is focused on excellence. We specialize in providing Management Consulting, Information Technology, and Research Development and Engineering services.

The fundamental distinction of the OST team is its business knowledge in both the public and private sectors. We serve the aerospace & transportation, association & nonprofit, defense, education, energy, financial, healthcare, and technology & telecommunications industries. OST is successful because we listen to our clients, we learn from our clients, and we know our clients.

Deputy Project Manager

Description of specific duties in a typical workday for this position:

Serve as the Project Manager's principal operational deputy and designated successor, responsible for integrated operational oversight, contract-wide quality and risk management, and continuous improvement of contract performance. Ensure that contract activities are coordinated, performance expectations are met, risks are proactively managed, and quality controls support consistent, reliable delivery.

Work collaboratively with functional managers and leads to monitor performance, resolve cross-functional issues, strengthen accountability, and implement corrective actions. Direct the contract's quality and risk management processes and provide management oversight of the PMO through its lead. Provide the PM with reliable operational assessments, early visibility into emerging issues, and actionable recommendations while exercising delegated authority within approved contractual and organizational boundaries.

Requirements (Years of experience, Education, Certifications):

• Bachelor's degree and at least ten years of relevant professional experience, including at least five years of project or program management and demonstrated experience leading managers or cross-functional teams.
• Experience overseeing complex federal service operations involving multiple functional areas, performance requirements, deliverables, and government stakeholders.
• Demonstrated expertise in quality assurance, quality control, risk management, corrective action, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to interpret and implement PWS requirements, QCP/QASP provisions, SLAs, SOPs, deliverable requirements, and applicable federal contract procedures.
• Experience establishing operational accountability, monitoring performance, resolving cross-functional issues, and managing competing priorities.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem‑solving, client relationship management, and written communication skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, make delegated operational decisions, and recognize matters requiring PM or Government approval.

Nice to Have (skills that are not required, but nice to have):

• Experience supporting FEMA, NFIP, insurance operations, or comparable regulated federal service programs.
• PMP or comparable project management credential; experience with CMMI, quality management systems, process improvement, and operational risk management.
• Experience using SharePoint, Power BI, Microsoft 365, dashboards, and workflow automation to strengthen performance management and reporting.
• Experience managing geographically distributed teams and supporting federal FFP and T&M contracts.

This is a full‑time position paying a base salary, full benefits, and has possible bonus potential based on merit and performance.

OST is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, religion, gender, native origin, age, disability, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.