ICF · 2 hours ago
Project Director, National Center on Head Start Early Learning, Health and Family Engagement
Reston, VA
Full-time
Hybrid
Director/Executive
$119K/yr - $203K/yr
15+ years expICF 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. The Project Director will oversee deliverables for a large federal contract, manage relationships with government representatives, and ensure compliance with federal requirements while leading a high-performing team.
ConsultingInformation TechnologyProfessional Services
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
Qualification
Required
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
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
Company
ICF
ICF is a global consulting and technology services provider focused on making big things possible for our clients.
5001-10000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
ICF has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
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Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (29)
2024 (31)
2023 (35)
2022 (29)
2021 (31)
2020 (38)
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$59MKey Investors
New York State Department of TransportationU.S. Environmental Protection Agency
2023-02-13Grant· $29M
2021-03-15Grant· $30M
2006-09-28IPO
Leadership Team
John Wasson
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
James Morgan
Chief Operating Officer and EVP
Recent News
2025-12-15
2025-12-08
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