Pilot Project Manager

As a Pilot Project Manager supporting the VA's Chief Center for Care and Payment Innovation (CCPI) office within the Strategic Planning Division (SPD) innovation engine aligned with VA Planning, Innovation & Modernization (PIM), you will lead the planning, execution, and performance tracking of healthcare pilot and innovation programs designed to improve Veterans' health outcomes and care delivery across VA facilities. This role operates at the intersection of federal healthcare policy and operational innovation, requiring close collaboration with VA program offices, senior executive stakeholders, and Congressional reporting chains to advance high-visibility transformation initiatives.

The ideal candidate is a disciplined, detail-oriented project manager who thrives in complex, ambiguous federal healthcare environments and can translate program performance data into clear, compelling narratives for senior leadership and legislative audiences, especially with regard to the development of data-driven and value-based health care solutions that transform and improve Veteran care while reducing cost and administrative burden.

Lead end-to-end project management of VA healthcare pilot and innovation efforts, including scope definition, work planning, milestone tracking, risk management, and stakeholder coordination across program lifecycle phases.

Develop, maintain, and deliver high-quality performance reports and program dashboards tailored for Senior Executive Service (SES) review, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and alignment with VA strategic priorities.

Support the preparation of Congressional reporting packages, briefing materials, and responses to data calls, ensuring compliance with federal reporting standards and legislative requirements.

Facilitate cross-functional working groups and pilot site coordination meetings, capturing action items, decisions, and risks while driving accountability among internal and external stakeholders.

Monitor and evaluate pilot program performance metrics against defined success criteria, identifying trends, gaps, and opportunities for course correction or scale-up recommendations.

Maintain comprehensive project documentation including charters, schedules, risk registers, lessons-learned logs, and after-action reports in accordance with federal contracting and VA documentation standards.

Minimum 4 years of project management experience, with demonstrated experience managing healthcare pilot programs, innovation initiatives, or similarly complex multi-stakeholder engagements.

Bachelor's Degree (BA/BS) in Public Health, Health Administration, Business Administration, Public Policy, or a related field required.

Prior experience supporting federal agency clients, VA program offices, or federal healthcare environments strongly preferred; familiarity with VA organizational structure and mission is highly desirable.

Ability to obtain and maintain a VA Personal Identity Verification (PIV) credential and pass a VA background investigation; active clearance or prior federal suitability determination is a plus.

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship; this position supports a federal government contract and is subject to applicable federal employment eligibility requirements.

Demonstrated experience developing performance reports, briefing materials, or data packages for senior government leaders (SES-level or equivalent) and/or Congressional stakeholders.

- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is strongly preferred. | - Experience with VA or federal health innovation offices (e.g., VHA Innovation Ecosystem, CMMI, CMTO, or equivalent) is a significant plus. | - Familiarity with federal performance management frameworks such as GPRAMA, OMB reporting requirements, or VA MISSION Act implementation. | - Experience using VA-approved collaboration and project tracking tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, SharePoint, Teams, or equivalent federal-compliant platforms). | - Prior experience coordinating Congressional data calls, GAO engagements, or IG responses in a federal healthcare contracting context.

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: 2012. Employees: 300+ nationwide.

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. 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: 2012. Employees: 300+ nationwide.