Project Manager (Conferences)

Rose Li and Associates, Inc. (RLA), a growing professional services firm based in Chevy Chase, MD, seeks a full-time Project Manager within our conference services division.  This role will oversee and manage all facets of meeting/conference/event support services for client contracts. The Project Manager manages client relations and oversees project plans, scheduling, work assignments, staffing, progress reporting, quality assurance, and timely deliverables. The Project Manager is responsible for developing and maintaining project budgets, and then authorizing, tracking, and approving all project expenditures. This position requires management of multiple work plans and project teams. Project Manager will be responsible for supervising, mentoring, and training other team members, including Conference Managers, Conference Coordinators, Conference Assistants, and technical support staff.

 Duties and Responsibilities:

Project Management:

• Serve as the primary point of contact with the client and establish and ensure productive and constructive working relationships with all project staff.
• Ensure all project tasks are within the contract Statement of Work and that deliverables meet or exceed the quality and performance standards established in the contract.
• Oversee the project plan/timeline with meeting planners to ensure on-time deliverables. Proactively mobilize people and resources to drive tasks to completion with quality and timeliness.
• Supervise the work of other meeting and conference support staff.
• Monitor labor hours and project expenditures to ensure profitability targets are met. Alert Contracts/Accounting in advance of any potential issues, concerns or cost overruns.
• Work closely with Accounting for accurate and timely invoicing and reporting.
• Lead regular meetings with the project team to foster information sharing, idea generation, collaboration, and to keep the team informed of new developments on the project.
• Develop and encourage ideas and solutions that have the potential to achieve project improvements, greater efficiencies, better service delivery, and offer increased value to clients.
• Ensure adequate staff coverage for all tasks and evaluate staff schedules and assignments against project schedule.
• Provide onsite management at conferences and events.
• Assess meeting/event strengths and areas for improvement (debrief with staff and client).
• Ensure all project related activities are documented and saved in SharePoint and/or client document libraries.
• Nurture and maintain client relationships across projects.
• Ensure compliance with all project requirements and quality assurance plans.
• May perform other job duties as assigned.

Corporate Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the RLA Senior Leadership Team and other Project Managers/Directors to integrate services, policies, procedures, and data across all RLA lines of business.
• Negotiate and execute agreements with consultants and vendors.
• Collaborate with other professional organizations/federal agencies and network with others in the field to keep abreast of industry trends and best practices.
• Network to develop new business opportunities or expanded work within current business.
• Contribute to bid and proposal efforts.

Required Qualifications (Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities):

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
• 8+ years managing and executing onsite, hybrid, and virtual logistics projects within the meetings/conference/event space with demonstrated track record of successful events and logistics planning experience.
• Ability to manage projects from inception to completion including planning and managing timelines within budget.
• Experience with building systems and policies.
• Demonstrated competency in managing staff hours and other direct costs to contract budgets to ensure profitability targets are met.
• Understanding of how to manage competing priorities, multitask, and demonstrated experience in delivering high quality results.
• A high comfort level with information technology in the areas of virtual events, registration management, event website development, database management, graphic design, etc.
• Knowledge of Federal Travel Regulation.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Accountability for strong individual and team performance.
• Possess strong leadership and organizational skills, ability to delegate, and excellent time management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to solve problems and be deadline driven.
• Proficiency with standard applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Teams, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint, and Adobe.
• Demonstrated competency with project/resource software and ability to learn new applications quickly.
• Seek and use data and feedback to enhance customer outcomes.
• S. citizenship.

 Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Professional certification in related field (CMP, CGMP, PMP).
• Prior supervisory experience highly desirable.
• Experience managing projects with multiple tasks and simultaneous events under Federal contract vehicles including Blanket Purchase Agreements and Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contracts.
• Experience working with remote team members.
• Experience with scaling teams and organizations.
• Capability in assessing technology options for business processes or project implementation.

Work Location:

This hybrid position requires occasional work out of RLA’s office in Chevy Chase, MD, periodic onsite support at client events primarily in the DC metropolitan area, with events held occasionally across the United States.

Compensation and Benefits:

RLA offers competitive compensation, based on experience. Our benefits package includes paid time off, eleven federal holidays, subsidized health insurance, group dental and vision plans, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, 401(k) contributions and profit-sharing plan, and a cash balance (defined benefit) retirement plan.

About RLA:
Since our inception in 2003, RLA has become a trusted partner to health- and research-focused agencies and organizations, helping to move science forward in service of humanity. We are a woman- and minority-owned small business specializing in science writing, research and analysis, conference services, and program management support. We are committed to creating an ecosystem where we can all do our best work and know that each one of our team members is a key part of our success.

RLA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.