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

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

ICF is seeking an 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 Director will oversee deliverables for a large, complex federal contract supporting the Office of Head Start’s Training and Technical Assistance System, focusing on early learning, health, and family engagement initiatives. The Project Director is responsible for establishing and managing key relationships with government representatives and coordinating with external stakeholders. The ideal candidate brings extensive experience in early childhood education, with extensive knowledge of the Head Start Child Development and Outcomes Framework, Head Start Program Performance Standards and CCDB Regulations. They will have demonstrated experience creating and disseminating research-based resources for Head Start and other early childhood programs related to early learning, health and family engagement. Knowledge of other federal programs and policies related to early childhood and continuous quality improvement is expected. The Project Director will be responsible for leading, managing and monitoring all aspects of the project including contractual administration and performance.

This position is home based with up to 25 percent travel to attend client meetings, related conferences and additional meetings.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and vision to project staff, setting priorities and ensuring alignment with contract objectives and ICF’s portfolio approach for seamless client services.
• Oversee all contract deliverables, ensuring timeliness, accuracy, and quality in compliance with federal requirements and ICF standards.
• Support business development efforts, including contributing to proposals and identifying opportunities to expand services.
• Recruit, develop, and retain a high-performing team with the expertise needed to meet federal priorities and project objectives.
• Serve as the primary liaison with federal government, other organizations with government‑funded technical assistance contracts, and other stakeholders.
• Represent the project on a corporate leadership team, supporting the Office of Head Start Portfolio Lead, and 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 and monitor evaluation goals, ensuring regular reporting and continuous improvement of technical assistance services.
• Ensure the development and implementation of communications and dissemination plans for key deliverables and resources.
• Support OHS designated priorities and special projects, maintain sensitivity to federal guidance and structure.
• Build and sustain partnerships across the Office of Head Start Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) System and with external organizations to promote collaborative planning, and shared problem‑solving to meet the needs of clients, states, and territories, including participation in national 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 topics, leveraging deep subject matter expertise.
• Stay current on emerging research, tools, and best practices to inform project activities and maintain thought leadership in early learning, health, and family engagement.
• Identify and 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 bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, education, public policy, public administration, or management.
• 15+ years of experience in the early childhood field at a national or state level, including direct experience implementing Head Start or other early childhood programs and services.
• Proven ability to create and disseminate research‑based resources related to early learning, health, and family engagement.
• Leadership experience managing complex training and technical assistance projects, including all facets of contract management (budgeting, monitoring deliverables, planning activities, and addressing challenges).
• 7+ years of experience in a leadership position in the public sector involving implementation of Head Start Program Performance Standards and CCDB Regulations.

Preferred Skills/Experience

• A master’s degree in early childhood education, education, public policy, public administration, or management.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience at the state or national level, focusing on early childhood policies, regulations, and systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools such as Smartsheet for tracking project plans, milestones, and timelines.
• Demonstrated consulting expertise and ability to work closely with diverse stakeholders.
• Proven ability to manage large‑scale national TA efforts involving multiple tasks simultaneously in several geographic locations.
• Strong track record of building and maintaining effective relationships to support program objectives.
• Experience motivating and supervising professionals working in a virtual environment and achieving results through remote collaboration.
• Proven expertise in managing all aspects of contract administration, encompassing budgeting, oversight of deliverables and project achievements, strategic planning, and proactive resolution of challenges.
• Knowledge of and experience 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.
• Advanced analytics, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills.

Professional Skills

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking capabilities.
• Ability to be a team player and multitask in a fast‑paced environment.
• High level of 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 to handle multiple priorities and work limited overtime, as necessary.

Pay Range

$119,323.00 - $202,850.00 Nationwide Remote Office (US99)

Location

Remote (Nationwide)

Equal Opportunity Employer

ICF is an equal opportunity employer. For more information, please read our EEO policy. We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation, please email [email protected] and we will be happy to assist. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.

Candidate AI Usage Policy

At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. AI tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews are not permitted. However, if an accommodation is needed, candidates may contact us in advance at [email protected].