Technical Project Manager

American Institutes for Research; Arlington (VA); Hybrid; USD 102,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

American Institutes for Research seeks a Technical Project Manager to lead planning and execution of client-facing technology projects across Health, Education, or Workforce portfolios. You will coordinate cross-functional teams, manage Jira/Confluence workflows, and ensure agile practices drive timely delivery from Virginia offices.

The role emphasizes proactive communication, strong documentation, and the ability to navigate ambiguity while maintaining project momentum and stakeholder

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant project management, technology, or operations experience.
• Experience using project management tools such as Microsoft Project, Planner, Smartsheet, Jira, or similar platforms.
• CAPM certification, or progress toward certification, preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical project planning and execution in a fast-paced, agile environment.
• Manage and expedite technical deliverables while coordinating amongst competing priorities. Track key timelines, action items, and priorities, providing proactive follow-ups, reminders, and escalation support as needed.
• Maintain accurate project documentation, trackers, dashboards, and status updates to ensure visibility and informed decision-making.
• Use tools, such as Jira and Confluence to coordinate technical projects and tasks, participate and lead sprint plans and retrospectives, and support the teams in using best practices.
• Frame agendas, prepare briefing materials, and track actionable follow-ups. Partner with cross-functional teams to foster collaboration, alignment, and smooth execution across projects and initiatives.Provide operational support across budgeting, expense coordination, procurement, and vendor interactions while ensuring compliance with internal processes and confidentiality standards.
• Duties and responsibilities may change based on evolving business needs.

Skills

Communication

Stakeholder management

Project management

Analytical thinking

Team collaboration

Prioritization

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in IT/CS

Tools

Jira

Confluence

Microsoft Project

Smartsheet

Planner

MS Office

Job description

AIR’s Tek Office is seeking a Technical Project Manager to support project delivery and day-to-day operations. This role focuses on core project management responsibilities to drive efficient execution, ensure alignment across stakeholders, and advance projects with a heavy technology component. The Technical Project Manager will work on client-facing projects in the areas of Health, Education, or Workforce primarily and support initiatives to implement and enforce standardization and strong agile project management. This position reports to the Principal Technical Project Manager.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced environment, with strong organization skills and has a good understanding of technology-focused teams. This role is well-suited for someone eager to grow in project or program management, with a proactive mindset and the ability to navigate ambiguity while contributing to team success.

This position offers hybrid work flexibility, requiring three days per week in AIR’s Virginia office, with occasional travel for meetings, training sessions, and conferences.

About AIR

Established in 1946, with headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, AIR is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit institution that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to solve some of the most urgent challenges in the U.S. and around the world. We advance evidence in the areas of education, health, the workforce, human services, and international development to create a better, more equitable world. AIR's commitment to diversity goes beyond legal compliance to its full integration in our strategy, operations, and work environment.

Responsibilities

The key responsibilities for the position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Lead technical project planning and execution in a fast-paced, agile environment.
• Manage and expedite technical deliverables while coordinating amongst competing priorities. Track key timelines, action items, and priorities, providing proactive follow-ups, reminders, and escalation support as needed.
• Maintain accurate project documentation, trackers, dashboards, and status updates to ensure visibility and informed decision-making.
• Use tools, such as Jira and Confluence to coordinate technical projects and tasks, participate and lead sprint plans and retrospectives, and support the teams in using best practices.
• Frame agendas, prepare briefing materials, and track actionable follow-ups. Partner with cross-functional teams to foster collaboration, alignment, and smooth execution across projects and initiatives.Provide operational support across budgeting, expense coordination, procurement, and vendor interactions while ensuring compliance with internal processes and confidentiality standards.
• Duties and responsibilities may change based on evolving business needs.

Qualifications

Education, Knowledge, and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant project management, technology, or operations experience.
• Experience using project management and work management tools such as Microsoft Project, Planner, Smartsheet, Jira, or similar platforms.
• CAPM certification, or progress toward certification, preferred.

Skills

• Strong communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills, with executive presence and the ability to effectively engage diverse audiences, influence outcomes, and collaborate across cross-functional and virtual teams.
• Solid project management skills, including the ability to coordinate tasks, track deliverables, maintain project documentation, and support successful project execution.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information, exercise sound judgment, and support leadership decision-making.
• Team-oriented and collaborative mindset, demonstrated initiative, and strong accountability, balancing independent ownership of work with effective partnership across teams to achieve shared goals and deliver high-quality results.
• Strong prioritization, organizational, and adaptability skills, with the ability to navigate ambiguity, manage multiple competing priorities and concurrent workstreams, meet deadlines, and deliver high-quality results in a fast-paced environment.
• High level of integrity and discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word and Excel, with the ability to quickly learn and leverage new technologies, systems, and AI tools to enhance productivity, streamline workflows, and support project outcomes.

Disclosures: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements. American Institutes for Research is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law, including, but not limited to, actual or perceived race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braid, locs, and twists), creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition (e.g., cancer), sex, gender, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, civil union status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, genetic information, or military or veteran status. AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks. AIR maintains a drug-free work environment.

Accessibility Notice

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Taliba Boone at [e-mail] or call 202.403.5000.

AIR’s Total Rewards Program, is designed to reward our staff competitively and motivate them to achieve our critical mission. This position offers the anticipated annual salary as listed. Salary offers are made based on internal equity within the institution and external equity with competitive markets. Please note this is the annual salary range for candidates that are based in the United States.

Anticipated Annual Salary Range

$102,000 - $110,000 USD