Project Lead Jobs in Rhode Island
Project Lead jobs in Rhode Island concentrate in healthcare systems, defense and advanced manufacturing, and higher education, with demand at every level from team lead to senior program owner. Most hiring clusters in Providence, Woonsocket, and East Providence, where employers like Brown University Health, Amica Mutual, and Raytheon Technologies maintain lasting project management footprints. Agile delivery, IT infrastructure modernization, and clinical operations improvement are the most in-demand specialties right now. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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ABOUT THE POSITION
The successful candidate should have hands-on leadership experience managing projects, serving as a mentor to junior GIS staff and be proficient in the Esri Software Suite (ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, Field Maps, Survey123, ArcGIS Enterprise) and proficient in database management. The position offers opportunity in expanding and continuing to shape the group.
Responsibilities
- Manage and support GIS projects and tasks to ensure they are delivered on time, within budget, and in alignment with scope, quality standards, and client expectations.
- Support business development efforts by identifying opportunities, contributing to client relationship development, assisting with proposals and interviews, and helping win new GIS-related work and projects.
- Collaborate with software engineers, GIS professionals, project teams, and other stakeholders to support spatial data processes and the development of end-user applications.
- Provide technical direction, mentorship, and support to junior GIS staff and project team members.
- Provide support in configuring web applications using Esri’s ArcGIS Online/Portal (ArcGIS Field Maps, Survey123, StoryMaps, Experience Builder, ArcGIS Dashboard, Web Maps and Hub Sites), to support project work.
- Communicate and be able to work as an individual as well as part of a large team.
- Proactively provide your own ideas and solutions to solve project related problems.
- Provide time estimates, write scopes of work, and develop budget estimates for project proposals and RFPs.
- Perform Quality Control tests on work products done by others.
- Must have a solid understanding of the principles and practices of GIS and cartography.
- Demonstrated experience in task managing or project management on GIS projects of all sizes and complexity.
- Ability to identify GIS-related growth opportunities, support client relationships, and contribute to business development and pursuit activities.
- Geodatabase design, development, management and maintenance.
- Experience configuring web applications using Esri’s web application frameworks and products such as Experience Builder, ArcGIS Dashboards, Field Maps, and Survey123.
- Able to create map services and interactive web applications.
- Experience with scripting and automation across Esri’s ArcGIS Platform.
- Able to utilize GIS applications to perform advanced spatial analysis or data conversion or manipulation. i.e., raster/surface manipulation, mosaic, modify and repurpose imagery for other software.
- Ability to learn new skills and methods on-the-fly, troubleshoot issues, and solve technical problems.
- Innovative spirit and a growth mindset—eager to build new client relationships and expand our visibility in the region.
- 8+ years of professional experience utilizing GIS technology, including at least 4 years of project management experience.
- BS in GIS, Engineering, Planning, or Geography
- Master’s degree preferred and may be substituted for 1-2 years of experience
- GISP certification preferred
- Extensive experience working across Esri’s ArcGIS Platform (ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Enterprise)
Building what’s next, together.
Our people make the difference. We foster a technology-empowered, people‑driven, future‑ready culture where agility, innovation, and collaboration shape how we work every day.
When you join VHB, you’ll find:
- Meaningful work on complex projects with real community impact
- A collaborative, inclusive culture that values curiosity and shared success
- Support to grow your skills and lead through change
- Learning and development supported by evolving tools and technologies, including AI
- Best-in-class benefits and a flexible, hybrid work environment
We’re growing across the East Coast and are consistently recognized as a great place to work. Ready to shape what’s next? Learn more about what sets our employee experience apart and connect with us.
VHB is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. Since our founding, we have intentionally fostered a culture of inclusion and belonging, supported by deep-rooted core values, one of which is diversity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.
See All 78 Project Lead Jobs in Rhode Island
Find roles in Rhode Island that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Project Lead JobsProject Lead Jobs by City in Rhode Island
Where Rhode Island roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Project Lead Job Market in Rhode Island
A snapshot from current Rhode Island openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Construction & Real Estate
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Medical Devices
- Non-Profit & Social Services
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Rhode Island Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in project lead jobs across Rhode Island.
- PMP certification or equivalent project management credential preferred by most Rhode Island employers
- Three or more years leading cross-functional teams through full project lifecycles
- Experience with Agile or Scrum methodologies in technology or operations environments
- Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, information technology, or a related field
- Proficiency with project management tools such as Microsoft Project, Jira, or Smartsheet
- Strong communication skills for stakeholder reporting and executive-level status updates
Project Lead Jobs in Rhode Island: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a project lead in Rhode Island?
Most Rhode Island employers expect a bachelor's degree combined with demonstrated team leadership experience rather than a state-issued license. Earning a Project Management Professional credential through the Project Management Institute strengthens a candidacy significantly, and many Providence-area employers list it as preferred. Healthcare organizations affiliated with Brown University Health often require familiarity with clinical operations, while defense contractors in the Woonsocket corridor prioritize candidates with manufacturing or systems engineering backgrounds.
Which companies hire project leads in Rhode Island?
Employers hiring project leads in Rhode Island right now include AECOM, CVS Health, and BL Companies, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Rhode Island's concentration of healthcare networks, financial services firms, and defense contractors means steady, recurring demand for project leads across multiple industries.
Which Rhode Island cities have the most project lead jobs?
Providence, Cranston, and Smithfield account for the most project lead openings in Rhode Island. Providence dominates as the state's commercial, healthcare, and higher education hub, while Woonsocket and East Providence draw hiring from manufacturing and insurance employers whose regional offices anchor those corridors.
Are there remote project lead jobs in Rhode Island?
Yes, and they're more common than in hands-on trades or clinical roles. About 23% of project lead openings tied to Rhode Island are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, reflecting how much of the work centers on coordination, reporting, and stakeholder communication rather than physical presence. Technology and financial services project leads see the most fully remote postings, while healthcare and construction project leads are more likely to require on-site availability.
How can I get hired as a project lead in Rhode Island with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving into a project coordinator or project analyst role first, then stepping into a lead position after demonstrating ownership of a workstream. Brown University Health and Lifespan run structured onboarding programs that bring coordinators into project management tracks, and Amica Mutual regularly hires operations associates who rotate into PM roles. Building a portfolio of completed projects, even small internal initiatives, and earning an entry-level certification like CAPM positions a candidate ahead of other applicants without a lengthy work history.
Where can I find and apply to project lead jobs in Rhode Island?
You can find and apply to project lead jobs in Rhode Island on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across Providence, Woonsocket, East Providence, and the broader state. Search the listings to find roles that match your background and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 78 Project Lead Jobs in Rhode Island
Find roles in Rhode Island that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Project Lead Jobs