Deputy Project Manager

Job Summary

Aptive seeks an experienced, highly organized, and detail-oriented Deputy Project Manager to provide full-time program management support in assistance of the Project Manager for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Communications and Public Liaison (OCPL). In this role, the Deputy Project Manager will support the planning, coordination, and execution of a broad portfolio of high-visibility communications, media, outreach, event, and digital initiatives that advance NIH’s mission to communicate health, medical, and scientific research to diverse audiences.

Primary Responsibilities

The Deputy Project Manager will work closely with the Project Manager, NIH leadership, program staff, communications professionals, technical teams, and external partners to ensure the timely, high-quality, and compliant delivery of multiple concurrent workstreams in a fast-paced, demand-driven environment. This role requires strong organizational and coordination skills to manage day-to-day task execution, track schedules and deliverables, support surge activities, and maintain alignment with evolving agency priorities.

The ideal candidate brings demonstrated experience supporting complex federal communications or health-related programs, preferably within NIH or other HHS operating divisions, and excels at balancing detailed task-level execution with broader program objectives. The Deputy Project Manager consistently supports successful outcomes by maintaining accurate project documentation, monitoring progress against plans, assisting with budget tracking, and fostering effective collaboration with government stakeholders under the direction of the Project Manager.

Minimum Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience providing portfolio, program, and/or project management support for complex initiatives, preferably in support of federal health, science, communications, or public affairs programs. Experience supporting NIH, HHS, or other federal agencies is strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., communications, public health, health sciences, business administration, project management, or a related discipline).
• Demonstrated ability to lead and coordinate large, cross-functional teams, including communications professionals, technical staff, vendors, and subcontractors, while maintaining clear, effective written and verbal communication with federal stakeholders.
• Experience managing contract budgets, including labor hour tracking, burn rate monitoring, cost control, and preparation of status reports and invoices.
• Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent, high-visibility workstreams with competing priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and project management and collaboration platforms used to track schedules, budgets, deliverables, and tasking (e.g., MS Project, SharePoint, Teams, or equivalent tools).

Desired Qualifications

• Solutions-oriented and detail-focused professional with the ability to support execution across a wide range of communications, outreach, media, event, and digital deliverables, maintaining accuracy and consistency in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Demonstrated experience supporting the management of project lifecycles for complex federal initiatives, including assisting with work planning, resource coordination, schedule management, risk identification and mitigation, and performance tracking.
• Familiarity with the NIH organizational structure, including the Office of the Director and Institutes and Centers (ICs), and experience working within matrixed environments that involve multiple stakeholders, review cycles, and approval pathways.
• Experience developing, maintaining, and updating detailed project plans, integrated schedules, task trackers, and milestone/deliverable matrices to support the management of multiple concurrent workstreams.
• Proven ability to coordinate, facilitate, and document communication among diverse stakeholder groups, including communications professionals, technical and IT staff, scientific subject matter experts, administrative personnel, vendors, and federal leadership, under the direction of the Project Manager.
• Strong analytical skills with experience collecting, organizing, and synthesizing program, schedule, and financial data and contributing to the development of clear, concise briefing materials, dashboards, and status updates for leadership and oversight audiences.
• Highly skilled in facilitating and documenting project meetings, including preparing agendas, capturing meeting minutes, tracking action items and decisions, escalating issues as appropriate, and supporting timely closure of assigned tasks.

About Aptive

Aptive partners with federal agencies to achieve their missions through improved performance, streamlined operations and enhanced service delivery. Based in Alexandria, Virginia, we support more than a dozen agencies including Veterans Affairs, Transportation, Defense, Homeland Security and the National Science Foundation. ​

We specialize in applying technology, creativity and human-centered services to optimize mission delivery and improve experiences for millions of people who count on government services every day. ​

Founded: 2012Employees: 300+ nationwide

EEO Statement

Aptive is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, parental status, veteran status, age, disability, or any other protected class.

Veterans, members of the Reserve and National Guard, and transitioning active-duty service members are highly encouraged to apply.