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 CCDBG 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 (TA) 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 CCDBG 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. 
• Demonstrated 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.  

Working at ICF

ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we're not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future.

We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. 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  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.  

Read more about workplace discrimination rights or our benefit offerings which are included in the Transparency in (Benefits) Coverage Act. 

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. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is not permitted. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the interview process.  

However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodation that involves the use of AI. If such an accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance at  We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.  

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:

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

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