Scientific Program Manager

Title:                    Scientific Program Manager

Location:             Washington, D.C. metro area

Summary

Rios Partners is a mission-driven consulting firm creating positive change by delivering value for our clients, investing in our employees, and solving tough problems that benefit our local and global communities. We ground our approach in empathy, enabling our team members to better hear our customers’ challenges and work together to develop effective solutions. As a team, we know what it takes to move organizations forward with measurable, sustainable results.  

Our primary consideration when evaluating candidates is alignment with our Mission and Values, which can be found at  http://www.riospartners.com/mission-and-values/. 

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Program Manager to support the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) Directorate. This role will be responsible for overseeing program operations, research management, proposal review logistics, and stakeholder coordination to ensure the successful administration of NSF-funded research initiatives.

The ideal candidate will bring deep experience in program management, research oversight, and federal grants administration, combined with a strong background in science, engineering, or mathematics. This role requires exceptional organizational, analytical, and communication skills, along with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a high-profile government research environment.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Program Management & Strategic Coordination

• Assist in the development, execution, and oversight of NSF research programs, ensuring alignment with the agency’s mission.
• Lead the preparation and clearance of program solicitations, strategic plans, and funding initiatives.
• Develop and maintain program timelines, tracking mechanisms, and reporting frameworks to enhance operational efficiency.
• Design and deliver data-driven program evaluations, offering insights into research funding distributionand project success rates.
• Ensure program compliance with NSF policies, federal regulations, and grant management best practices.

2. Proposal Review & Research Administration

• Oversee and manage the NSF peer review process, providing logistical and administrative support to ensure timely and effective proposal evaluations.
• Assist in panelist recruiting and engagement, leveraging data analysis and outreach tools to build diverse, expert reviewer pools.
• Coordinate and support scientific review panels, site visits, and working group meetings, ensuring seamless execution and documentation.
• Analyze proposal review trends and make recommendations for process improvements and strategic funding allocations.
• Draft, refine, and distribute public research abstracts, review summaries, and decision documentation for funded and declined proposals.

3. Stakeholder Engagement & External Communications

• Serve as a liaison between NSF Program Officers, research institutions, and external stakeholders, fostering collaboration and information-sharing.
• Develop and refine presentation materials, public reports, and funding announcements, ensuring clear communication of NSF priorities and initiatives.
• Monitor policy developments, emerging research trends, and programmatic shifts to provide actionable insights to NSF leadership.
• Lead efforts to enhance community engagement and interagency collaboration by supporting workshops, roundtables, and strategic discussions.
• Coordinate logistics for workshops and othe community engagement events

Required education, skills, and experience

• Master’s degree in a CISE-supported field (Computer or Information Science, Engineering, or Mathematics) required.
• A Ph.D. in a related field may be substituted for a portion of the required experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in program management, research administration, or federally funded research initiatives.
• Deep experience in research project oversight, stakeholder engagement, and federal grant management.
• Proven ability to manage large-scale projects, complex budgets, and multi-institution collaborations.
• Extensive experience with research proposal evaluations, peer review processes, and strategic funding oversight.
• Background in policy analysis, program evaluation, and federal compliance management.
• Strong ability to work independently in high-stakes environments, requiring excellent judgment, discretion, and initiative.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote) and scheduling tools like Outlook.
• Familiarity with Zoom, OneDrive, Microsoft Teams, Box, Slack, and SharePoint for collaboration and knowledge management.
• Experience in data analytics, research performance tracking, and process automation to drive efficiencies and decision-making.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with experience preparing reports, policy briefs, and public research summaries.
• Proven ability to collaborate with senior executives, federal agencies, and academic research communities.
• Skilled in building consensus, resolving complex challenges, and influencing strategic outcomes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience working with NSF, federal science agencies, or academic research organizations.
• Familiarity with government funding mechanisms, federal research policy, and grant administration best practices.
• Experience using data visualization and analytics tools to assess program effectiveness and funding impact.
• Background in scientific program coordination, public sector consulting, or technology policy development.

Additional information

• U.S. work authorization required
• Workplace Type: 100% On-Site at NSF Headquarters.
• Employment Type: Full-Time
• Travel: Limited travel may be required based on project needs.
• Security Clearance: Must be able to obtain a Federal ID Card and Public Trust.

Benefits Information:

• Profit-sharing/Performance Bonus: Rios Partners is committed to ensuring the success of the organization benefits the entire team. As such, a portion of profits is paid out to employees. The total amount of Profit-Sharing/Performance Bonus distributed to the team may vary year to year and will depend on numerous factors, including market conditions, company performance, and individual performance. 
• Retirement plan: Rios Partners offers a 401(k) and contributes an amount equivalent to 3% of the employee’s base salary each month to the designated fund. Employees may choose to contribute additional money into the 401(k) from their paycheck each month.
• Health and Vision insurance: Rios Partners covers 90% of the premium for both the employee and their dependents for Platinum plans health coverage through United Healthcare; this includes coverage for both medical and vision insurance.
• Dental insurance: Rios Partners covers 90% of the premium for both the employee and their dependents for a dental insurance plan through Delta Dental.
• Disability insurance: Rios Partners will pay 100% of the premium for both short-term and long-term disability insurance provided through Guardian.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and holidays: You will be eligible for three weeks of PTO (15 days) and 12 paid holidays each year. In additional accrued PTO, Rios Partners provides additional time off for both expected and unexpected events (e.g., Bereavement Leave, Jury Duty, Voting).
• Maternity, Paternity, and Adoption Leave: Rios Partners celebrates employees’ choice to become parents. We are also aware that pregnancy and caring for an infant or a newly adopted child may cause additional life complexities. As such, we provide employees twelve (12) weeks of paid leave in association with the birth of an employee’s own child or the placement of a child with the employee in connection with adoption or foster care. To be eligible for Maternity/Paternity/Adoption Leave Program, team members must: 1) Have worked at Rios Partners full-time for a minimum of 12 continuous months. 2) Be in good employment standing with Rios Partners (i.e., not on probation). 3) Request leave a minimum of 30 days in advance if possible. If this is not possible, please place your request as soon as possible once you become aware of it. Regardless of eligibility for the Rios Partners Maternity/Paternity/Adoption Leave Program, all Rios Partners employees are eligible for the Department of Labor’s Family and Medical Leave Act entitlements as well as Rios Partners Short Term Disability plan.
• Employee Assistance Program: Rios Partners cares about the mental health of our employees. Through our employee assistance program, ComPsych, we offer 5 EAP sessions to address personal issues such as relationship struggles, substance abuse, parenting challenges and grief. ComPsych, if you decide to utilize the service, also provides FinancialConnect, LegalConnect and FamilySource to provide support and resources for every eligible employee.
• Training and Development: Rios Partners is committed to helping you achieve your highest potential. Our personal view is that this is best accomplished through a combination of client engagements, opportunities to take on new roles within the team, and internal (team) / external (expert) training.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Rios Partners is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Rios Partners is an E-Verify Employer. Click here for more information on E-Verify.

Seniority Level: Mid-Senior Level  

Functions: Management, Project Management, Research

Workplace Type: In Person

Job Type: Full-time