Program Manager

mPower, Inc.•Bethesda, MD

8h•$140,000 - $185,000

About The Position

mPower is seeking an exceptional Program Manager to lead two complementary federal contracts providing comprehensive research support services. This role represents a rare opportunity to serve as both operational anchor and strategic thought partner across a portfolio spanning scientific operations, programmatic support, and strategic advisory services â managing teams of professionals delivering everything from biomedical engineering and lab operations to grants management, ethics advisory, and program coordination. You'll be the trusted face of mPower to federal leadership, building relationships where your counsel is sought and valued, while orchestrating sophisticated service delivery across program operations. This isn't typical program management. Success here means navigating complex federal dynamics while maintaining operational rigor across diverse technical and programmatic service lines. You'll help shape the evolution of how research support is delivered â transitioning legacy models into scalable, outcome-oriented frameworks positioned for multi-organization expansion. The right person thrives at the intersection of relationship building and delivery excellence, operates with flexibility when priorities shift, and instinctively understands what it takes to be seen as an indispensable partner. If that resonates, this is your opportunity to lead work that directly enables scientific discovery.

Requirements

7+ years of program management experience, with at least 3 years managing federal contracts or complex service delivery engagements funded by government agencies
Bachelorâs degree, or higher, in business administration or a related field
Demonstrated success leading teams across multiple disciplines in dynamic, mission-driven environments â ideally spanning both technical/scientific staff and programmatic/administrative functions
Track record of building trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, with ability to navigate organizational dynamics and influence without formal authority
Strong operational capabilities including process design, quality frameworks, and continuous improvement
Solid understanding of federal contracting environment including contract administration and agency operational dynamics
Executive presence and communication skills that enable confident representation at senior levels
Comfort operating in ambiguity where priorities shift and requirements evolve, maintaining focus on outcomes while adapting approach

Nice To Haves

Experience with NIH, HHS, or federal research agencies in scientific operations, lab support, grants administration, or program coordination functions
Familiarity with biomedical research environments, laboratory operations, grants lifecycle, ethics and compliance advisory, or research program management
Background implementing service delivery models that scale across multiple clients or organizational units
PMP or equivalent management certification

Responsibilities

Serve as primary point of contact with federal client leadership, building trust and credibility that positions mPower as strategic partner rather than vendor
Navigate client dynamics and competing priorities with sophisticated acumen, reading rooms and influencing outcomes without formal authority
Anticipate client needs before they're articulated, identifying opportunities to deepen impact and expand service value
Lead business reviews and strategic sessions with federal leadership, demonstrating operational depth and forward vision
Own performance across both contracts including service quality, deliverables, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement spanning scientific operations, programmatic support, and strategic advisory services
Lead multiple teams of professionals across diverse domains: biomedical engineers and lab technicians supporting research operations, grants management specialists and ethics advisors enabling programs, plus program coordinators and strategic planning staff
Build scalable operational frameworks that work across both laboratory-focused and program-focused service delivery, adapting governance to the technical or administrative nature of the work
Manage resource optimization across contracts, balancing dedicated FTE support with fractional and surge capacity models
Coordinate with mPower back-office on contract administration, compliance, burn rate management and HR/recruiting
Screen and onboard talent across technical and programmatic disciplines, ensuring strong fits for capability and cultural alignment
Cultivate an integrated team culture where technical staff supporting labs and programmatic staff enabling research operations operate with shared values of excellence, flexibility, and client-centricity
Provide mentorship and performance management tailored to diverse roles, understanding that success may look different for different roles, but they all require the same commitment to quality
Foster retention by creating environments where people feel supported, challenged, and connected to the scientific mission regardless of whether they work in labs or program offices
Lead evolution from legacy staffing models to outcome-oriented service delivery â translating job descriptions into work products and capacity units, enabling more responsive and scalable support
Implement innovative delivery approaches designed to scale across multiple organizations while maintaining quality and responsiveness regardless of context
Translate operational insights into service improvements and expanded capabilities that better serve evolving client needs across research environments
Collaborate with mPower leadership on briefings, proposals, and quotes relevant to the contractsâ evolution over time, providing ground truth from delivery across diverse technical and programmatic domains
Build organizational knowledge and repeatable frameworks that enable mPower to deliver similar excellence across future opportunities in both scientific operations and research administration