Innovation Portfolio Program Manager - Reston, VA

Short Description

Bowman has an opportunity for an Innovation Portfolio Program Manager to join our team in Reston, VA.

At Bowman, we believe in creating opportunities for aspiring people to thrive and achieve ambitious goals. That's why a career at Bowman is more than a job. It is an opportunity to be part of a diverse and engaged community of professionals, to be treated as a respected and valued member of a motivated team and to be empowered to do exceptional work that advances the best interest of everyone involved. We recognize the importance of creating a work environment that is both rewarding to our employees and supportive of our unwavering commitment to provide unparalleled service to our clients.

Purpose

The Program Manager, Innovation Portfolio, is responsible for managing the intake, prioritization, coordination, and execution of digital innovation initiatives across the organization. This role ensures that projects align with strategic goals, are properly resourced, and deliver measurable business value. Working under the Vice President of Product & Innovation, the Program Manager partners with stakeholders across departments to evaluate ideas, maintain transparency, and ensure timely execution of a portfolio of digital transformation, automation, and internal product development projects. The role is critical in fostering an innovation-driven culture, supporting agile delivery, and promoting strategic alignment between technology initiatives and business needs.

Responsibilities

Leadership and Direction

Establish and maintain the innovation intake and prioritization framework.

Support strategic planning by aligning initiatives with business objectives and capacity.

Facilitate governance and decision-making forums to review portfolio status and approve new projects.

At the Operational and Company Level

Serve as a liaison between innovation teams and functional departments to clarify priorities and resource needs.

Track project progress, resolve interdependencies, and escalate risks and blockers.

Monitor value realization of completed initiatives and communicate outcomes to stakeholders.

Promote transparency and alignment through dashboards, reporting tools, and regular updates.

Do the Work

Manage the full lifecycle of the innovation portfolio, from idea intake through planning, execution, tracking, and post-implementation review.

Maintain a centralized repository of project status, charters, timelines, KPIs, value assessments, and lessons learned.

Facilitate scoping sessions with business owners and technical leads to define clear goals, deliverables, and resource requirements for proposed initiatives.

Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure delivery timelines are met while mitigating delays or conflicts.

Conduct regular portfolio health checks and retrospectives to improve delivery processes and adapt to evolving needs.

Drive implementation of project and program management best practices across the innovation function.

Support internal communication campaigns that highlight innovation progress, success stories, and cultural impact.

Help define and refine processes for continuous improvement, portfolio agility, and stakeholder engagement.

Success Metrics and Competencies

Strong organizational and planning skills across multiple workstreams.

Clear and concise communication to technical and non-technical audiences.

Experience working in cross-functional, agile, and collaborative environments.

Ability to influence stakeholders and manage competing priorities.

Analytical mindset with focus on delivering measurable results.

High degree of discretion and ability to manage highly confidential information.

Highly motivated and problem-solving attitude.

Strong sense of urgency in responding to constituents.

Effective verbal and written communication skills.

Strong work ethic and commitment to quality.

Self-reliance and ability to operate independently with limited direction.

Commitment to promoting the reputation of the company through quality of work.

Aspirations to grow professionally and advance within the company.

Effective working relationship with internal leaders and peers, as well as external clients.

Commitment to becoming a "citizen" of the broader organization, breaking down barriers and silos.

Commitment to working in partnership with others inside and outside the organization.

Ability to effectively manage multiple time-sensitive tasks.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Business, or related field required; PMP, Agile, or Lean certifications preferred.

Minimum of five (5) years of experience in project or program management within IT, innovation, or product teams.

Familiarity with portfolio management tools (e.g., Smartsheet, Jira, Monday.com) and reporting dashboards.

Knowledge of digital transformation concepts, automation, and product lifecycle management.

Strong documentation, coordination, and stakeholder engagement skills.

About Bowman

Are you ready to build a career that makes a lasting impact? At Bowman, our people are at the center of everything we do. We're committed to creating an environment where employees can thrive both personally and professionally, while helping to shape the infrastructure of tomorrow.

A career at Bowman means being part of a collaborative, forward-thinking organization where innovation, inclusion, and growth are encouraged at every level. We offer competitive compensation, a supportive work environment, and benefits designed to help our employees succeed.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes :

Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance

401(k) retirement savings plan with company match

Paid time off, sick leave, and paid holidays

Tuition reimbursement and professional development support

Discretionary bonuses and other performance-based incentives

Employee Assistance Program (EAP), wellness initiatives, and employee discounts

Eligibility for certain benefits may vary based on position, location, and employment status.

Physical Demands and Working Environment

Primarily in-person or hybrid work setting based on business needs.

Minimal travel required (approximately 10%).

Professional office environment which may include bright / dim light, noise, fumes, odors, and traffic.

Frequent and prolonged use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, etc.

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Job Description Disclaimer

Note : While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job requirements, it is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties from particular jobs and to assign other duties as necessary at any time with or without notice.

Bowman is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued and respected. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. For our EEO Policy Statement, please click here () . If you'd like more information on your EEO rights under the law, please click here () .

Bowman has an obligation to provide and maintain a safe, healthy, and productive environment for its employees and clients. We are committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol-free workplace.

If you have any questions about the application process, please email recruiting@bowman.com .

Bowman is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. For our EEO Policy Statement, please go here : If you'd like more information on your EEO rights under the law, please go here :