Project Director, National Center 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.

• 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 work groups 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.

• A bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, education, public policy, public administration, or management.
• 15+ years of…