Project Director, National Center on Head Start Early Learning, Health and Family Engagement

ICF isseekingan experienced early childhood senior leader to serve as Project Director for the National Center on Head Start Early Learning Health and Family Engagement (ELHFE). Candidates should have strong project management business development skills and a solid understanding of federal early learning priorities and systems.

The Project Directorwilloversee deliverables for alarge complexfederal contract supporting the Office of Head Starts Training and Technical Assistance System focusing on early learning health and family engagement initiatives. TheProjectDirectoris responsible forestablishingand managing keyrelationships with government representatives andcoordinatingwith external ideal candidatebringsextensiveexperienceinearlychildhoodeducationwithextensiveknowledgeofthe Head StartChildDevelopmentandOutcomesFrameworkHead Start Program havedemonstratedexperience creating anddisseminatingresearch-basedresources for Head Start and other early childhood programs related to early of other federal programs and policies related to early childhood andcontinuousqualityimprovement is expected. TheProjectDirector willberesponsibleforleading managing andmonitoringallaspects oftheprojectincluding contractual administrationand performance.

This position is home based with up to25percent travel toattendclient meetingsrelatedconferencesandadditionalmeetings.

KeyResponsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership and vision to project staff setting priorities and ensuring alignment with contractobjectivesand ICFs portfolio approach for seamless client services.
• Oversee all contract deliverables ensuring timeliness accuracy and quality in compliance with federal requirements and ICF standards.
• Supportbusiness development efforts including contributing to proposals andidentifyingopportunities to expand services.
• Recruit develop andretaina high-performing team with theexpertiseneeded to meet federal priorities and projectobjectives.
• Serve as theprimaryliaison withfederal government other organizations with government-funded technicalassistancecontracts and other stakeholders.
• Represent the project on a corporate leadership team supporting theOffice ofHead StartPortfolio Leadand contributing to division-wide strategies and initiatives.
• Manage project financials including budget oversight subcontract administration fiscal tracking and corporate reporting.
• Manage subcontractors and consultants.
• Establish andmonitorevaluation goals ensuring regular reporting and continuous improvement of technicalassistance(TA) services.
• Ensurethedevelopment and implementation of communications and dissemination plansfor key deliverables and resources.
• Support OHSdesignated priorities and special projectsmaintainsensitivity tofederal guidance and structure.
• Buildand sustain partnershipsacrossthe Office of Head Start Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) Systemandwith external organizations to promotecollaborative planning and shared problemsolving to meet the needs of clients states and territoriesincluding participationinnational workgroups and task forces as assigned.
• Participate in regular team meetings and calls.
• Direct the development and delivery of complex tasks and resources on multiple early childhood education topicsleveragingdeep subject matterexpertise.
• Stay current on emerging research tools and best practices to inform project activities andmaintainthought leadership in early learning health and family engagement.
• Identifyand mitigate risks proactively ensuring compliance and successful project outcomes.
• Foster a positive strength-based team culture using collaborative management and effective delegation to achieve results.

Basic Qualifications:

• A bachelors degree in early childhood education education public policy public administration or management.
• 15 years of experience in the early childhood fieldat anational or state level including:
• Direct experience implementing Head Start or other early childhood programs and services.
• Proven ability tocreate anddisseminateresearch-based resources related to early learning health and family engagement.
• Leadership experience managing complex training and technicalassistanceprojects including allfacetsof contract management (budgetingmonitoringdeliverables planning activities and addressing challenges).
• 7 years of experience in a leadership position in the public sector involvingimplementation ofHeadStartProgramPerformanceStandardsandCCDBGregulations.

Preferred Skills/Experience:

• A masters degree in early childhood educationeducation public policy public administrationor management.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience at the state or national level focusing on early childhood policies regulations and systems.
• Proficiencywith Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools such as Smartsheet for tracking project plans milestones and timelines.
• Demonstrated consultingexpertise.
• Demonstrated ability toworkclosely with diverse stakeholders.
• Proven ability tomanagelarge-scalenational TA efforts involving multiple tasks simultaneously inseveralgeographic locations.
• Strongtrack recordof building andmaintainingeffective relationships to support programobjectives.
• Experiencemotivatingand supervisingprofessionals working in a virtual environmentand achieving results through remote collaboration.
• Provenexpertisein managing all aspects of contract administration encompassing budgeting oversight of deliverables and project achievements strategic planning andproactiveresolution of challenges.
• Knowledgeof andexperience in developing successful collaborations within the early learning field.
• Strong ability to lead innovation and apply emerging research and best practices to strengthen Head Start Programs.
• Advancedanalytics problem-solving and decision-making skills.

Professional Skills:

• Excellentverbal written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong analyticaland strategic thinking capabilities.
• Ability to bea team playerand multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• High levelof professionalism including sound judgment discretion tact and diplomacy.
• Sound business ethics including the protection of proprietary and confidential information.
• Ability to apply detailed knowledge of organizational procedures to make independent decisions and serve as a credible resource for a senior management team.
• Ability to work with all levels of internal staff as well as outside clients and vendors.
• Flexibility tohandlemultiple priorities and work limited overtime as necessary.

Working at ICF

Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position including but not limited to relevant work experience skills certifications and competencies that align to the specified role geographic location education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.

The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is: