Program Manager Jobs in District of Columbia
Program Manager jobs in District of Columbia are concentrated in federal government contracting, defense, public health, and international development, with demand ranging from entry-level coordinators to senior program directors overseeing multimillion-dollar initiatives. The heaviest hiring is in Washington DC proper, where anchor employers such as Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, and SAIC maintain large program management workforces supporting federal agencies. The most in-demand specialties are IT program management, federal acquisition and contracts oversight, and public sector transformation. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience leading large-scale IT programs, managing multidisciplinary technical teams, overseeing critical infrastructure environments, controlling program costs, and communicating with senior Government stakeholders. The Program Manager must also have demonstrated experience implementing Technology Business Management (TBM) across a large enterprise environment.
- Plan, direct, and manage complex IT projects and operations, including program performance, schedule, resources, risk, and cost control.
- Lead infrastructure-focused programs involving the design, engineering, operation, maintenance, and modernization of critical IT environments.
- Provide oversight of secure critical infrastructure environments and ensure operational resiliency, availability, and performance.
- Maintain knowledge of current and emerging network, infrastructure, cloud, and enterprise technology trends.
- Manage and supervise a large, multidisciplinary workforce consisting of multiple labor categories, technical disciplines, and skill levels.
- Establish program governance, performance metrics, reporting, and operational processes aligned with customer objectives.
- Implement and mature Technology Business Management (TBM) practices across the enterprise to improve cost transparency, technology investment decisions, and business alignment.
- Serve as a primary interface with Government leadership and other senior stakeholders.
- Develop and deliver executive-level briefings, presentations, reports, and recommendations to senior Government officials.
- Ensure successful delivery of contractual, technical, financial, and operational requirements.
- Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology or a closely related discipline.
- Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience managing complex IT programs, projects, or operations.
- Demonstrated experience planning, directing, and managing IT programs similar in size, scope, and complexity to the RISE environment, including responsibility for cost control.
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience in infrastructure design and engineering.
- Strong knowledge of current and emerging network and infrastructure technologies.
- Demonstrated experience securing critical IT infrastructure.
- Demonstrated experience operating and maintaining mission-critical infrastructure environments.
- Demonstrated experience managing and supervising a significant number of personnel across multiple labor categories and technical disciplines.
- Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting technical, operational, and program information to senior Government officials.
- Demonstrated experience implementing Technology Business Management (TBM) across an enterprise of similar size, scope, and complexity.
- Active Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent.
- Active ITIL 3 Certified Expert or equivalent.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master of Business Administration (MBA), master's degree in Information Technology, or related advanced degree.
- Previous Department of State or other Federal civilian agency experience.
- Experience leading enterprise infrastructure modernization or transformation initiatives.
- Experience managing geographically distributed technical teams and highly available mission-critical environments.
- Familiarity with Federal IT governance, cybersecurity, infrastructure operations, service management, and technology financial management.
Clearance Requirement
- Active security clearance (Secret or Top Secret)
Min: USD $180,000.00/Yr. Max: USD $210,000.00/Yr. Salary Range: The salary range for this position represents Acuity's good faith estimate of the compensation for this job title at the time of posting. Final compensation will be determined based on factors including, but not limited to, the candidate's qualifications, experience, education, certifications, skills, geographic location, contract requirements, applicable labor categories, and, where applicable, contract award and funding.
The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience leading large-scale IT programs, managing multidisciplinary technical teams, overseeing critical infrastructure environments, controlling program costs, and communicating with senior Government stakeholders. The Program Manager must also have demonstrated experience implementing Technology Business Management (TBM) across a large enterprise environment.
- Plan, direct, and manage complex IT projects and operations, including program performance, schedule, resources, risk, and cost control.
- Lead infrastructure-focused programs involving the design, engineering, operation, maintenance, and modernization of critical IT environments.
- Provide oversight of secure critical infrastructure environments and ensure operational resiliency, availability, and performance.
- Maintain knowledge of current and emerging network, infrastructure, cloud, and enterprise technology trends.
- Manage and supervise a large, multidisciplinary workforce consisting of multiple labor categories, technical disciplines, and skill levels.
- Establish program governance, performance metrics, reporting, and operational processes aligned with customer objectives.
- Implement and mature Technology Business Management (TBM) practices across the enterprise to improve cost transparency, technology investment decisions, and business alignment.
- Serve as a primary interface with Government leadership and other senior stakeholders.
- Develop and deliver executive-level briefings, presentations, reports, and recommendations to senior Government officials.
- Ensure successful delivery of contractual, technical, financial, and operational requirements.
- Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology or a closely related discipline.
- Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience managing complex IT programs, projects, or operations.
- Demonstrated experience planning, directing, and managing IT programs similar in size, scope, and complexity to the RISE environment, including responsibility for cost control.
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience in infrastructure design and engineering.
- Strong knowledge of current and emerging network and infrastructure technologies.
- Demonstrated experience securing critical IT infrastructure.
- Demonstrated experience operating and maintaining mission-critical infrastructure environments.
- Demonstrated experience managing and supervising a significant number of personnel across multiple labor categories and technical disciplines.
- Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting technical, operational, and program information to senior Government officials.
- Demonstrated experience implementing Technology Business Management (TBM) across an enterprise of similar size, scope, and complexity.
- Active Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent.
- Active ITIL 3 Certified Expert or equivalent.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master of Business Administration (MBA), master's degree in Information Technology, or related advanced degree.
- Previous Department of State or other Federal civilian agency experience.
- Experience leading enterprise infrastructure modernization or transformation initiatives.
- Experience managing geographically distributed technical teams and highly available mission-critical environments.
- Familiarity with Federal IT governance, cybersecurity, infrastructure operations, service management, and technology financial management.
Clearance Requirement
- Active security clearance (Secret or Top Secret)
Min: USD $180,000.00/Yr. Max: USD $210,000.00/Yr. Salary Range: The salary range for this position represents Acuity's good faith estimate of the compensation for this job title at the time of posting. Final compensation will be determined based on factors including, but not limited to, the candidate's qualifications, experience, education, certifications, skills, geographic location, contract requirements, applicable labor categories, and, where applicable, contract award and funding.
See All 115+ Program Manager Jobs in District of Columbia
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Find Program Manager JobsProgram Manager Jobs by City in District of Columbia
Where District of Columbia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Program Manager Job Market in District of Columbia
A snapshot from current District of Columbia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What District of Columbia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in program manager jobs across District of Columbia.
- Bachelor's degree in a related field such as business, public administration, or engineering
- PMP certification from the Project Management Institute is frequently listed as required or preferred
- Experience managing federal government contracts or programs within the DC market
- Proficiency with program management tools such as Microsoft Project, Jira, or Smartsheet
- Active security clearance or demonstrated eligibility to obtain one preferred by many DC employers
- Strong stakeholder communication skills for working across government agencies and contractor teams
Program Manager Jobs in District of Columbia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a program manager in District of Columbia?
Most program manager roles in DC require at least a bachelor's degree in business, public administration, engineering, or a related field. DC does not issue a state license for program managers, but the PMP certification from the Project Management Institute carries significant weight with federal contractors and agencies in the market. Many employers also recognize the CAPM for candidates earlier in their careers, and a secret or top-secret clearance substantially expands your options in the federal contracting sector.
Which companies hire program managers in District of Columbia?
Employers hiring program managers in District of Columbia right now include Meta, Microsoft, and The Building People, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. DC's federal contracting ecosystem means many of these openings sit with large defense and professional services firms that hold long-term government contracts.
Which District of Columbia cities have the most program manager jobs?
The cities with the most program manager openings in District of Columbia are Washington, Foggy Bottom, and Washington Navy Yard. Washington DC dominates because it is home to federal agencies, civilian and defense contractors, and international organizations, while areas in the surrounding region such as Arlington and Bethesda draw significant volume due to major contractors and federal office campuses located just outside the district itself.
Are there remote program manager jobs in District of Columbia?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 64% of program manager openings tied to District of Columbia are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how much of this work involves documentation, coordination, and stakeholder reporting rather than on-site presence. The most remote-friendly roles tend to be in IT program management and policy-driven programs where agency proximity is less critical.
How can I get hired as a program manager in District of Columbia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in DC is starting as a project coordinator or program analyst with a federal contractor or within a government agency. Employers like Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, and ICF run associate and junior analyst programs that place candidates without direct PM experience on federal project teams. Earning a CAPM certification before applying demonstrates commitment and knowledge of PM methodology, and many candidates transition from roles in government contracting support, budget analysis, or policy coordination once they have documented project involvement.
Where can I find and apply to program manager jobs in District of Columbia?
You can find and apply to program manager jobs in District of Columbia on Migrate Mate, which lists current DC openings updated regularly. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience level, clearance status, and specialization, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 115+ Program Manager Jobs in District of Columbia
Find roles in District of Columbia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Program Manager Jobs