Lead Program Specialist

Lead Program SpecialistWe are seeking an experienced Lead Program Specialist to support the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Head Start (OHS).In this role, you will serve as a trusted advisor to federal staff, providing critical support across grants management, program oversight, and stakeholder engagement for Head Start and Early Head Start programs nationwide. You will play a key role in ensuring program effectiveness, compliance, and continuous improvement while supporting mission outcomes for children and families.This is a high-impact, client-facing role supporting complex, multi-regional federal programs.This position is contingent upon contract award. The listed salary range is a general estimate based on current information and may vary. Final compensation will be determined based on qualifications and experience; candidates should not expect offers at the top of the range unless exceptionally qualified.Key ResponsibilitiesGrants Management & Program ExecutionSupport end-to-end administration of federal grants, including application review, award processing, and post-award activitiesAnalyze grant applications, budgets, and supporting documentation to ensure compliance with federal regulations and program requirementsCoordinate with grant recipients to resolve issues, negotiate revisions, and finalize documentationSupport budget modifications, supplemental funding requests, and waiver reviewsProgram Oversight & MonitoringConduct ongoing monitoring and oversight of grant recipient performanceAnalyze program data, reports, and correspondence to identify risks, trends, and compliance issuesProvide technical assistance and guidance to improve performance and ensure regulatory complianceSupport onsite and remote monitoring reviews, including planning, execution, and follow-up reportingRegional & National Program SupportProvide direct support to Office of Head Start Regional Offices in managing grant portfoliosContribute to national initiatives, including enrollment performance, change in scope actions, and incident trackingSupport development and implementation of standardized procedures, tools, and trainingData Analysis & ReportingAggregate and analyze program, financial, and operational data from multiple sourcesDevelop reports, presentations, and executive-ready materials to support leadership decision-makingRespond to ad hoc data requests and support high-priority leadership inquiriesStakeholder Engagement & CommunicationServe as a primary liaison between federal staff, grant recipients, and external partnersManage inquiries, complaints, and communications with professionalism and accuracyParticipate in meetings, working groups, and collaborative initiatives across federal and partner organizationsOperational & Administrative SupportDevelop and maintain documentation, reports, and correspondenceSupport preparation of briefings, presentations, and training materialsEnsure timely and accurate completion of required deliverables and documentationRequired QualificationsEducationBachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Human Services, Public Administration, or a related fieldExperienceMinimum 5+ years of progressive experience supporting early childhood programs (Head Start preferred)Experience with: Federal grants management and lifecycle administrationProgram oversight, monitoring, and complianceFinancial and programmatic analysisDemonstrated ability to: Analyze and synthesize complex data from multiple sourcesDevelop high-quality written deliverables (reports, memos, presentations)Communicate effectively with diverse stakeholdersPreferred QualificationsExperience supporting Head Start or Early Head Start programsPrior experience in a federal or federally funded environment2 years supervisory or team leadership experienceCore CompetenciesGrants management and regulatory complianceProgram monitoring and risk assessmentData analysis and performance reportingStakeholder engagement and customer serviceCritical thinking and problem-solvingStrong written and verbal communicationWork EnvironmentOnsite at OHS Regional Office with potential telework flexibilityMay require travel for site visits, meetings, and program supportOpportunity to support cross-regional activities and national initiativesQualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.