Lead Program Specialist

Position Summary

We 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 Responsibilities

Grants Management & Program Execution

Support end-to-end administration of federal grants, including application review, award processing, and post-award activities
Analyze grant applications, budgets, and supporting documentation to ensure compliance with federal regulations and program requirements
Coordinate with grant recipients to resolve issues, negotiate revisions, and finalize documentation
Support budget modifications, supplemental funding requests, and waiver reviews
Program Oversight & Monitoring

Conduct ongoing monitoring and oversight of grant recipient performance
Analyze program data, reports, and correspondence to identify risks, trends, and compliance issues
Provide technical assistance and guidance to improve performance and ensure regulatory compliance
Support onsite and remote monitoring reviews, including planning, execution, and follow-up reporting
Regional & National Program Support

Provide direct support to Office of Head Start Regional Offices in managing grant portfolios
Contribute to national initiatives, including enrollment performance, change in scope actions, and incident tracking
Support development and implementation of standardized procedures, tools, and training
Data Analysis & Reporting

Aggregate and analyze program, financial, and operational data from multiple sources
Develop reports, presentations, and executive-ready materials to support leadership decision-making
Respond to ad hoc data requests and support high-priority leadership inquiries
Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

Serve as a primary liaison between federal staff, grant recipients, and external partners
Manage inquiries, complaints, and communications with professionalism and accuracy
Participate in meetings, working groups, and collaborative initiatives across federal and partner organizations
Operational & Administrative Support

Develop and maintain documentation, reports, and correspondence
Support preparation of briefings, presentations, and training materials
Ensure timely and accurate completion of required deliverables and documentation
Required Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Human Services, Public Administration, or a related field
Experience

Minimum

5+ years of progressive experience

supporting early childhood programs (Head Start preferred)
Experience with:

Federal grants management and lifecycle administration
Program oversight, monitoring, and compliance
Financial and programmatic analysis

Demonstrated ability to:

Analyze and synthesize complex data from multiple sources
Develop high-quality written deliverables (reports, memos, presentations)
Communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

Experience supporting Head Start or Early Head Start programs
Prior experience in a federal or federally funded environment
2 years supervisory or team leadership experience
Core Competencies

Grants management and regulatory compliance
Program monitoring and risk assessment
Data analysis and performance reporting
Stakeholder engagement and customer service
Critical thinking and problem-solving
Strong written and verbal communication
Work Environment

Onsite at OHS Regional Office with potential telework flexibility
May require travel for site visits, meetings, and program support
Opportunity to support cross-regional activities and national initiatives
Qualified 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.
Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
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