Senior Associate, Building Science Knowledge Systems

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 proactive Senior Associate, Building Science Knowledge Systems, who will support and help manage projects that strengthen 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 own defined project workstreams and support multi-stakeholder projects to ensure alignment with client goals, scope, schedule, budget, and quality standards. The Senior Associate will coordinate with internal team members and subcontractors, contribute to clear communication and reporting, and help ensure effective knowledge transfer across the organization.

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

• Support planning, execution, monitoring, and closeout of assigned projects and workstreams with emphasis on building technology and innovation.
• Draft and maintain project workplans and schedules for assigned projects and workstreams.
• Support defining and documenting project scope, deliverables, KPIs, and success criteria; maintain trackers and dashboards for performance reporting.
• Support budget, schedule, and resource management for assigned projects; assist with Estimate to Complete (ETC), forecasting, and status reporting; flag variances and recommend corrective actions.
• Identify, track, and help mitigate tasks, project risks, and client relationship risks; escalate issues as needed.
• Support quality assurance activities to help ensure deliverables meet client expectations and internal standards.
• Coordinate day-to-day activities across cross-functional teams including architects, engineers, researchers, IT specialists, and subcontractors.
• Support client communications by preparing meeting materials, notes, and regular status updates; participate in client calls as needed.
• Support knowledge management practices: maintain project files, ensure accessibility of content, capture lessons learned, and contribute to continuous improvement.
• Support stakeholder engagement activities such as workshops, webinars, and technical meetings, including logistics, agendas, and follow-up.
• Monitor industry trends in digital codes & standards and AEC innovative solutions; share relevant insights and help apply best practices to project delivery.
• Surface resourcing, skill, and process gaps that may affect delivery and share recommendations with the project lead and senior leaders.
• Contribute to continuous improvement efforts by suggesting repeatable approaches, templates, and knowledge management practices; support change management activities as needed.
• Adhere to and support compliance with organizational standards, federal contracting norms, and relevant industry regulations.
• Self-manage workloads and proactively coordinate with supervisor and project lead on priorities, risks, and capacity.
• Support business development by contributing to proposal inputs, capturing client needs, and identifying organic growth opportunities through project-based relationships.
• Contribute to NIBS external presence by supporting presentations, drafting technical content, and participating in industry forums as appropriate.

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 does not have direct report responsibilities. The Senior Associate may provide task-level guidance to internal team members and contracted staff within assigned workstreams.

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 Bachelors degree in a STEM field, project management, or construction management, though a combination of equivalent education and professional experience will be considered. The position requires 1-3+ years of experience leading, supporting, or coordinating projects, with a preference for experience within the built environment. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to manage defined workstreams, track scope/schedule/budget inputs, and produce high-quality deliverables with appropriate guidance. Experience supporting federal government contracting and reporting requirements is 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 collaboration, facilitation, and stakeholder management 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 5-10%.

BENEFITS

• NIBS offers a competitive salary and benefits package including fully paid health care premiums for medical, dental, and vision.
• 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.

HOW TO APPLY

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