Transformation Project Leader

Position Description: About Rios Partners

Rios Partners is a mission-driven consulting firm committed to creating positive impact by delivering value for our clients, investing in our people, and solving tough problems that strengthen our local, national, and global communities. Our approach is grounded in empathy, enabling our teams to deeply understand customer challenges and design practical, effective solutions. As a team, we know what it takes to move mission-critical organizations forward with measurable and sustainable results.

Our primary consideration when evaluating candidates is alignment with our Mission and Values, which can be found here.

Position Description

Rios Partners is seeking an experienced Project Leader to support a large-scale organizational transformation initiative for an international client.

This role will provide day-to-day leadership for consulting teams delivering transformation design and implementation planning across multiple workstreams, including organizational design, operating model design, workforce planning, business process design, governance, program management, and change management.

The Project Leader will be responsible for leading consultants, overseeing deliverables, engaging with senior stakeholders, and ensuring the successful execution of project objectives. This role is ideal for candidates who have experience leading consulting teams and delivering organizational transformation work in complex environments.

The position is based in Arlington, Virginia and follows a hybrid work schedule. While work will primarily be performed during U.S. business hours, candidates must be comfortable working occasional early morning or evening hours to coordinate with client stakeholders and team members located across multiple time zones.

This is a six-month independent contractor (1099) position with potential for extension based on project needs.

Engagement Details

- Location: Arlington, VA (Hybrid) - Contract Type: Independent Contractor (1099) - Duration: Initial 6-month contract with potential extension - Work Schedule: Primarily U.S. East Coast business hours with occasional flexibility required to support global coordination

As a Project Leader, You Will:

Lead Project Delivery

- Provide leadership for a complex organizational transformation engagement with 5-10 consulting team members. - Develop and manage project workplans, milestones, and deliverables - Coordinate across multiple workstreams to ensure alignment, quality, and timely execution - Lead problem-solving efforts and drive teams toward actionable recommendations - Review and provide direction on analyses, presentations, reports, and client deliverables - Identify risks, dependencies, and opportunities across the project - Ensure all deliverables meet client expectations and Rios Partners quality standards - Translate strategic objectives into practical implementation plans and execution activities

Manage Client Relationships

- Develop effective working relationships with client stakeholders and project leadership. - Serve as a day-to-day client lead for assigned workstreams - Build trust and credibility through high-quality delivery and sound judgment - Facilitate meetings and working sessions with client stakeholders - Present findings, recommendations, and project updates to senior leaders - Support alignment and decision-making across stakeholder groups - Help clients navigate complex organizational change and transformation efforts

Mentor and Develop the Team

Consulting is an apprentice model, and Project Leaders play a critical role in developing talent.

- Supervise consultants and analysts across project workstreams - Provide regular feedback on work products and consulting skills - Coach team members on problem framing, analysis, synthesis, communications, and client management - Review deliverables and ensure consistent quality across the team - Foster a collaborative and high-performing team environment

Required Education, Skills, and Experience

- Bachelor's degree

• Master's degree preferred (MBA, MPA, MPP, MPH, JD, Economics, STEM, or related field)

- 8-10 years of professional experience - 5+ years of strategy consulting, management consulting, or organizational transformation experience - Minimum 1 year of experience in a Project Leader, Manager, Engagement Manager, or equivalent consulting leadership role - Experience managing consulting teams of 5-10 professionals - Experience providing performance feedback, coaching, and development to consultants and analysts - Experience leading or supporting organizational transformation initiatives - Demonstrated proficiency using AI-enabled tools to improve research, analysis, content development, project management, and team productivity - Ability to effectively review, validate, and refine AI-generated outputs to ensure accuracy, quality, and client readiness - Strong analytical, problem-solving, and executive communication skills - Advanced proficiency in PowerPoint, Excel, and Word - Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in fast-paced and ambiguous environments - Ability to adapt quickly to evolving priorities and operate effectively in dynamic environments - Ability to work effectively with stakeholders and team members located across multiple time zones

Preferred Experience Areas

Candidates should have experience supporting one or more of the following organizational transformation topics:

- Organizational design - Operating model design - Business process design and optimization - Transformation PMO design and management - Strategic workforce planning - Governance design and performance management - Service delivery model transformation - Change management and implementation planning - Organizational effectiveness initiatives

Paid Time Off (PTO) and Holidays

- We value work-life balance. You’ll receive 10 days of PTO annually, with additional days based on your tenure