Research Project Manager

the-swift-group; College Park (MD); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Swift is seeking a Research Project Manager in College Park, MD to lead the execution of contract cost, schedule, and performance. The role serves as the primary interface between government stakeholders and internal teams to ensure mission success.

The position requires strong program management experience, cross-functional collaboration, and ability to draft SOWs and guide researchers through project plans. Candidates will coordinate with government PMs and contractor leadership.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience as a Program or Project Manager supporting research programs.
• Experience managing cost, schedule, and performance across complex programs.
• Strong communication with technical teams and senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary interface between government stakeholders and contractor teams.
• Oversee contract performance: cost, schedule, technical execution.
• Develop and manage research project plans with researchers.
• Draft statements of work (SOWs) from government requirements.
• Coordinate with researchers to execute research plans.
• Prepare monthly program status reviews and briefings to Government PMs.
• Communicate progress, risks, and issues to stakeholders.
• Support budget execution and financial plans for research programs.
• Assist in outreach activities and technical events.
• Collaborate with Government and Contractor teams to address challenges.

Skills

Program management

Contract cost control

Budget monitoring

Stakeholder communication

SOW drafting

Job description

Swift is a privately held, mission-driven and employee-focused services and solutions company headquartered in Reston, VA. Our capabilities include Software Development, Engineering & IT, Data Science, Cyber Enablement, Logistics, and Training. Founded in 2019, Swift supports Civilian, Defense, and Intelligence Community customers across the country and around the globe.

We are seeking a Research Project Manager in College Park, MD to support a mission-driven research program. This role is responsible for the successful execution of contract cost, schedule, and performance, while serving as the primary interface between government stakeholders and internal teams.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for the Contracting Officer (CO), Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), Government Program Manager, and contractor leadership
• Oversee and manage contract performance, including cost, schedule, and technical execution
• Support program efforts across cost management, schedule estimation and tracking, risk management, requirements analysis, and quality assurance
• Direct technical resources and communicate program progress, risks, and issues to stakeholders
• Prepare, review, and present technical documentation and program status updates
• Provide recommendations to development teams on technical and programmatic requirements
• Develop solutions to meet technical and programmatic objectives
• Draft statements of work (SOWs) from government requirements
• Coordinate with researchers to develop and execute research project plans
• Analyze and present forecasts, including financial, schedule, and performance data
• Prepare and deliver monthly program status reviews and briefings to Government PMs
• Participate in outreach activities (e.g., symposia, technical events)
• Collaborate across Government and Contractor teams to address urgent program challenges
• Develop financial plans and support budget execution for research programs
• Monitor contract-level financial and technical performance and provide recommendations based on actuals vs. plan

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of experience as a Program or Project Manager supporting research programs and contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity

At least 1 year of experience in:

• Requirements analysis
• Resource allocation
• Project costing
• Deliverable tracking
• Schedule and financial monitoring
• Reporting
• Experience managing cost, schedule, and performance across complex programs
• Strong communication skills with the ability to interface with technical teams and senior leadership

Familiarity with:

• Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
• Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS)
• DoD 5000 series
• Intelligence Community Directive (ICD 801)