Project Manager (Secret Clearance Required)

Akima; North Charleston (SC); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Akima Mission Optimization (AMO) in North Charleston, SC is seeking a Project Manager to lead a portfolio of DoD and commercial projects. You will manage day-to-day execution, customer relationships, financial performance, staffing, and contract compliance across multiple projects, with mentoring from Akima leadership for growth into Program Management.

The role is hybrid and requires living within commuting distance of North Charleston, SC.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Information Technology, Project Management, or related discipline.
• Active Secret security clearance is required.
• 5+ years of project or program management experience, preferably supporting DoD or Federal Government customers.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects or workstreams simultaneously.
• Experience managing project cost, schedule, staffing, risks, and customer relationships.

Responsibilities

• Manages day-to-day activities for moderately complex projects.
• Oversees administrative/operational leadership within program guidelines.
• Monitors scope, schedule, and budget; ensures reviews and approvals are received.
• Interfaces with Government customers, prime contractors, CORs, and stakeholders.
• Develops project plans, schedules, staffing plans, risk registers, and metrics.
• Coordinates resources for successful execution; supports CONUS/OCONUS activities.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Risk management

Customer relationships

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

WAWF/PIEE

CLIN/SLIN/ACRN funding

Job description

AMO is seeking a motivated Project Manager to lead a portfolio of smaller commercial and Department of Defense projects supporting customers and industry partners across multiple mission areas. Initial responsibilities will include management of several active projects, with additional projects added as the portfolio grows.

This position is designed for an experienced project leader ready to take the next step toward Program Management. The successful candidate will have responsibility for day-to-day execution, customer relationships, financial performance, staffing, subcontractor coordination, and contract compliance across multiple simultaneous projects. Akima leadership will provide mentoring and increasing responsibility as the individual demonstrates the ability to successfully manage a growing portfolio.

This Hybrid position requires that you live within commuting distance from North Charleston, SC.

Why Join Akima?

This position provides a unique opportunity to manage a diverse portfolio of DoD projects while developing the experience required to lead larger and increasingly complex programs. The successful candidate will receive direct exposure to program operations, financial management, customer engagement, contract execution, staffing, and business growth while working closely with experienced Akima program leadership.

For the right individual, this role is intended to be more than a Project Manager position, it is an opportunity to develop into one of Akima's future Program Managers.

Responsibilities

• Manages the day-to-day activities for a moderately complex Technical or non-technical project.
• Manages the administrative/operational leadership of a project within the program guidelines set by the Program Manager and customer.
• Monitors project to ensure work scope, schedule, and budget are well defined and maintained.
• Provides the coordination between resource managers/supervisors and ensures all necessary reviews and approvals are received.
• May conduct performance/project analyses to benefit future/other projects/missions/programs.

Project Leadership & Execution

• Manage multiple DoD projects concurrently, ensuring successful performance across cost, schedule, scope, and quality.
• Serve as the primary day-to-day interface with Government customers, prime contractors, CORs, and other project stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain project plans, schedules, staffing plans, risk registers, and performance metrics.
• Anticipate project risks and issues and drive solutions before they affect customer requirements.
• Coordinate technical, operational, financial, contracting, and shared-service resources required for successful execution.
• Support CONUS and OCONUS activities, including geographically remote project locations, as required.

Financial & Contract Management

• Maintain responsibility for project financial performance, including revenue, gross margin, forecasting, labor utilization, burn rates, and Estimates at Completion.
• Monitor funding and expenditures against contract requirements and available funding.
• Support accurate and timely invoicing and financial reporting.
• Understand and manage funding structures including CLINs, SLINs, and ACRNs where applicable.
• Review project financial performance monthly, identify variances, and implement corrective actions.
• Coordinate closely with Contracts and Finance personnel on funding, modifications, invoicing, and other contractual matters.

Customer & Partner Management

• Build trusted relationships with Government customers and industry partners.
• Manage performance as both a prime contractor and subcontractor, including coordination with large-business prime partners.
• Lead regular customer status meetings and provide concise, accurate program reporting.
• Respond quickly to customer requests, emerging requirements, and data calls.
• Identify opportunities to expand existing work and improve customer mission support.

Staffing & Team Leadership

• Manage and mentor project personnel across multiple locations and disciplines.
• Coordinate recruiting, onboarding, retention, performance management, and workforce planning.
• Ensure personnel meet contractual qualification, clearance, certification, and training requirements.
• Manage subcontractors and teammates to ensure integrated project performance.
• Balance resources across projects as requirements and priorities change.

Program Management Development

• Work closely with senior Akima leadership to develop broader Program Management capabilities.
• Participate in portfolio reviews, financial reviews, capture activities, proposals, and contract-growth initiatives.
• Develop increasing responsibility for larger programs and more complex customer relationships.
• Learn and apply Akima program management processes, financial controls, quality requirements, and operational best practices.
• Demonstrate readiness to progress into a Program Manager role as portfolio size and complexity increase.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Information Technology, Project Management, or related discipline.
• Must possess an active Secret security clearance
• 5+ years of project or program management experience, preferably supporting DoD or Federal Government customers.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects or workstreams simultaneously.
• Experience managing project cost, schedule, staffing, risks, and customer relationships.
• Working knowledge of Government contracting and project financial management.
• Strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, take ownership of problems, and drive issues to resolution.
• Ability and willingness to travel as project requirements dictate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting DoD programs as both a prime contractor and subcontractor.
• Experience with Air Force, Army, Navy, or other DoD customers.
• Experience managing geographically dispersed or OCONUS operations.
• Familiarity with WAWF/PIEE, CLIN/SLIN/ACRN funding structures, forecasting, and Government invoicing.
• Experience managing FFP and cost-type contracts.
• PMP or similar project management certification.

Key Competencies

• Ownership and accountability.
• Financial discipline.
• Customer relationship management.
• Proactive risk identification.
• Multi-project organization.
• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Ability to lead rather than wait for direction.
• Desire and aptitude to grow into larger Program Management responsibilities.

Job ID

2026-25303

Work Type

Hybrid

Company Description

Work Where it Matters

Akima Mission Optimization (AMO), an Akima company, is not just another federal logistics contractor. As an Alaska Native Corporation (ANC), our mission and purpose extend beyond our exciting federal projects as we support our shareholder communities in Alaska.

At AMO, the work you do every day makes a difference in the lives of our 15,000 Iñupiat shareholders, a group of Alaska natives from one of the most remote and harshest environments in the United States.

For our shareholders, AMO provides support and employment opportunities and contributes to the survival of a culture that has thrived above the Arctic Circle for more than 10,000 years.

For our government customers, AMO delivers innovative administrative support services that streamline operations, and enhance productivity.

As an AMO employee, you will be surrounded by a challenging, yet supportive work environment that is committed to innovation and diversity, two of our most important values. You will also have access to our comprehensive benefits and competitive pay in addition to growth opportunities and excellent retirement options.