Project Lead Jobs in District of Columbia
Project Lead jobs in District of Columbia concentrate heavily in federal contracting, policy consulting, and technology services, with demand running from mid-level coordinators to senior program managers overseeing multimillion-dollar initiatives. Most openings cluster in Washington DC proper, where anchor employers like Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, and SAIC maintain large delivery teams supporting government agencies. The most in-demand specialties are IT project delivery, federal program management, and policy implementation. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Location: Washington, DC Metropolitan Area (Hybrid/On-site as required by customer)
Employment Type: Full-Time
Active Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
Clearance Requirement: Must be able to successfully obtain and maintain a Tier 2 (Moderate Risk) Public Trust background investigation before contract performance.
The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) is an independent U.S. federal agency dedicated to fostering productive labor-management relationships and helping employers and labor unions resolve workplace disputes without the need for strikes, lockouts, or litigation. Through mediation, arbitration, conflict prevention, and collaborative training programs, FMCS promotes effective communication and cooperative problem-solving while administering labor relations programs under federal law to support stable, productive workplaces across the nation.
Position Overview
Nationwide IT Services (NIS) is seeking an experienced Program / Project Manager for a potential opportunity to lead a multidisciplinary Application Development and Support Services (ADSS) team supporting a Federal civilian agency. This individual will serve as the primary contractor interface with Government leadership and will oversee planning, execution, reporting, risk management, quality assurance, staffing, and delivery of application modernization, operations and maintenance, cloud services, and software development activities.
The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership for Agile software development efforts supporting Microsoft 365, Azure Government, Power Platform, .NET applications, SharePoint Online, SQL Server, and enterprise cloud modernization initiatives while ensuring delivery of high-quality services on schedule and within budget.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as the primary Program Manager and principal interface with the Government COR, CIO, Project Managers, and technical stakeholders.
- Lead all contract performance activities including planning, execution, staffing, quality management, financial oversight, and customer communications.
- Develop and maintain integrated Project Work Plans, schedules, resource allocations, milestones, and performance metrics.
- Manage Agile software development, Operations & Maintenance (O&M), modernization, enhancement, and migration activities across multiple applications and technologies.
- Direct project teams consisting of solution architects, software developers, engineers, analysts, testers, and support personnel.
- Conduct weekly program reviews, prepare executive status reports, financial dashboards, risk assessments, and executive briefings.
- Manage project risks, issues, dependencies, and mitigation strategies.
- Coordinate software releases, testing, configuration management, change management, and production deployments.
- Ensure compliance with Government quality standards, cybersecurity requirements, accessibility requirements, records management, and software development best practices.
- Collaborate with Government leadership to prioritize work, manage backlogs, approve schedules, and support modernization planning.
- Monitor project budgets, labor utilization, schedule performance, and contractual deliverables.
- Support proposal development, task order responses, transition planning, and staffing activities as needed.
- Bachelor’s degree in information technology, Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or related discipline.
- Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible IT Program or Project Management experience.
- Minimum 5 years managing Federal Government IT contracts.
- Active Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
- Demonstrated experience leading Agile software development teams.
- Experience managing multi-disciplinary technical teams supporting application development and enterprise IT operations.
- Experience developing project schedules, integrated master plans, resource plans, and executive reporting.
- Experience with risk management, issue management, quality assurance, and performance management.
- Strong customer relationship and stakeholder management skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience supporting Federal Civilian agencies.
- Experience managing Microsoft cloud modernization efforts.
- Experience overseeing enterprise application portfolios.
- Experience managing multiple concurrent software development projects.
- Experience supporting Agile Scrum or SAFe development methodologies.
- Experience with ITIL service management processes.
- Experience supporting contract transition and organizational change management.
Why Join Nationwide IT Services?
Nationwide IT Services is a trusted government contractor supporting Department of Defense customers. Join us to work on high-impact cybersecurity missions with experienced professionals in a collaborative, growth-focused environment.
Our benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; life and disability insurance; a 401(k) plan with employer match; paid holidays; PTO (sick/vacation); commuter benefits; an employee assistance program (EAP); educational reimbursement; and Pet Insurance.
Nationwide IT Services, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, disability, or protected veteran status.
Salary range $100,000 to $200,000 annually
The salary range is a general guideline. We consider several factors when determining base salary offers, including the position's scope and responsibilities, the candidate's experience, education, and skills, and current market conditions.
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See All 273+ Project Lead Jobs in District of Columbia
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Find Project Lead JobsProject Lead Jobs by City in District of Columbia
Where District of Columbia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Project Lead Job Market in District of Columbia
A snapshot from current District of Columbia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Serco10

- Noblis6

- Booz Allen Hamilton6

- Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson6

- AHU Technologies5

Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services27
- Technology & Software9
- Construction & Real Estate8
- Government & Public Sector5
- Healthcare & Medical Services4
What District of Columbia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in project lead jobs across District of Columbia.
- PMP certification or equivalent project management credential recognized by federal contractors
- Experience managing government contracts or federally funded programs in District of Columbia
- Proficiency with project management tools such as MS Project, Jira, or Smartsheet
- Bachelor's degree in business, information technology, engineering, or a related field
- Ability to obtain or hold an active federal security clearance
- Strong stakeholder communication skills across technical and non-technical government audiences
Project Lead Jobs in District of Columbia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a project lead in District of Columbia?
The most direct path is earning a Project Management Professional certification from the Project Management Institute, which is the standard credential federal contractors and agencies in District of Columbia expect. Most roles require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field alongside demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams. Because the DC market is heavily federal, exposure to government contracting structures and familiarity with agency reporting requirements gives candidates a meaningful advantage.
Which companies hire project leads in District of Columbia?
Employers hiring project leads in District of Columbia right now include Serco, Noblis, and Booz Allen Hamilton, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. The District of Columbia market is particularly active among defense contractors, management consulting firms, and federal IT service providers that maintain ongoing delivery teams supporting civilian and defense agencies.
Which District of Columbia cities have the most project lead jobs?
Washington, District of Columbia, and Pentagon account for the largest share of project lead openings in District of Columbia, driven by the concentration of federal agencies, defense contractors, and consulting headquarters that anchor the region's employer base and generate continuous demand for delivery-focused leadership roles across their client portfolios.
Are there remote project lead jobs in District of Columbia?
Yes, and more than many comparable markets. About 62% of project lead openings tied to District of Columbia are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, reflecting how broadly desk-based coordination and stakeholder management work has shifted since the pandemic. Roles focused on IT delivery and policy program management tend to offer the most remote flexibility, while positions requiring on-site government facility access remain largely in person.
How can I get hired as a project lead in District of Columbia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is a project coordinator or junior program analyst role, which large federal contractors in the region regularly fill with candidates who hold a relevant degree and have completed coursework toward a PMP or CAPM certification. Employers like consulting and IT services firms that staff government agencies often run associate programs where recent graduates manage smaller workstreams under senior oversight, building the documented experience needed to step into a lead role within a few years.
Where can I find and apply to project lead jobs in District of Columbia?
You can find and apply to project lead jobs in District of Columbia on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers active in the region. Search the listings, identify the roles that match your background and clearance level, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 273+ Project Lead Jobs in District of Columbia
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