Project Manager, Building Science Knowledge

WHO WE ARE

Whether in your home, office or out in your community, the walls that surround you must be safe, structurally sound, and sustainable. It’s our job to make that happen.

We were created by act of Congress in 1974 to be the nation’s authoritative source of findings and recommendations that impact and improve the built environment for the American people. At the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS), we connect research, policy, and practical application to advance innovation in the built environment. Our mission is to create a safer, more resilient, and technologically advanced infrastructure that serves American communities and strengthens our nation’s future.

Building American Innovation isn’t just our tagline - it’s our commitment. We foster collaboration between government, industry, and academia to drive forward-thinking strategies for resilient communities. Because at NIBS, we don’t just build structures, we build solutions.

SUMMARY

We are looking for a visionary Project Manager of Building Science Knowledge systems who will manage projects that support the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) ability to assemble, store, and disseminate codes, standards, performance criteria, and best practices in the built environment. Our goal is to make knowledge easier to access and understand so that buildings are safer, more efficient, and more innovative. This role will oversee multi-stakeholder projects ensuring alignment with client goals, scope, schedule, budget, and quality standards. The Project Manager will manage project team members, manage subcontractors, and ensure effective communication and knowledge transfer across the organization.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES includes the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Lead planning, execution, monitoring, and closeout of assigned projects with emphasis on building technology and innovation.
• Generate project workplans for assigned projects.
• Support defining and documenting project scope, deliverables, KPIs, and success criteria; implement control mechanisms for performance tracking.
• Manage project budgets, schedules, and resources; Estimate to Complete (ETC), forecasting, and margin. Make recommendations for actions necessary to meet targets.
• Proactively identify, track, and mitigate tasks, project, and client relationship risks.
• Establish and enforce quality management frameworks, ensuring deliverables meet or exceed client expectations.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including architects, engineers, researchers, IT specialists, and subcontractors.
• Serve as primary client liaison, maintaining professional communication and transparent reporting.
• Oversee knowledge management practices: maintain project files, ensure accessibility of content, capture lessons learned, and contribute to continuous improvement.
• Guide stakeholder engagement activities such as workshops, webinars, and technical meetings.
• Monitor industry trends in digital codes & standards, AEC innovative solutions and integrate best practices into project delivery.
• Inform senior leaders of gaps in skills needed for project delivery.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, recommending ways to establish systematic continuous improvement as able, knowledge management plans, and change management plans as needed to support successful delivery of assigned projects.
• Ensure compliance with organizational standards, federal contracting norms, and relevant industry regulations.
• Self-manage workloads and proactively coordinate with supervisor on concerns related to workload.
• Support business development; identifying organic growth opportunities through project-based relationships.
• Demonstrate thought leadership and professional eminence by representing NIBS externally.

SECURITY CLEARANCE

A security clearance is not required, however ability to be granted or to obtain at a minimum, an interim Secret security clearance during employment and then obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance throughout the period of employment, is strongly preferred.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position will have supervisory and direct report responsibilities. This position will also have responsibility for oversight of contracted staff.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor’s degree in a STEAM field, project management, or construction management, though a combination of equivalent education and professional experience will be considered. The position requires 2 or more years of project management experience, with a preference for those who have managed projects specifically within the built environment. A proven track record of successfully overseeing project scope, schedule, budget, quality, and risk for high-profile initiatives is essential. Additionally, experience navigating federal government contracting and reporting requirements is highly preferred.

TECHNICAL AND OTHER SPECIALIZED SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Proficiency of project management methodologies (PMI, Agile, or equivalent).
• Proficiency with project management software, MS Office Suite, and project collaboration tools (e.g., SharePoint, Power BI).
• Conceptual understanding or better in processes, tools, and data standards required to deploy Artificial Intelligence for the built environment and blockchain for the built environment.
• Ability to digest client needs into actionable steps, document steps, update schedules, and coordinate and direct team members and subcontractors in completing work.
• Excellent written, verbal, and graphical communication skills.
• Strong leadership, facilitation, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, collaborative, and fast-paced environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to walk and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and depth perception.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

NIBS is primarily a remote work environment. Position specific business needs will determine when individuals need to work in the office or on-site at a third party. For example, meetings with external and internal stakeholders can necessitate coming to the office. Staff can voluntarily choose to work in the office at any time. The physical demand of NIBS positions is typical of those in an office environment. Positions require frequent use of a computer to communicate both orally and in writing.

Estimated amount of travel, not including periodic trips to the office, is 5%.

BENEFITS

• Opportunity to work at the intersection of industry, government, and academia.
• Work alongside some of the most respected experts in the building sciences and technology fields, gaining insight into best practices across industry and government.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• NIBS offers a competitive salary and benefits package including fully paid health care premiums for medical, dental, and vision.

HOW TO APPLY

If you feel you are a great fit for this role, please send your resume, cover letter, and salary requirement to jobs@nibs.org today!