BCT Partners - Lead Head Start Program Specialist

BCT Partners; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

BCT Partners is seeking a Lead Program Specialist to oversee Head Start and Early Head Start grant activities, combining program leadership with supervisory responsibilities for a hybrid team. The role works closely with the Regional Office to manage grant lifecycles, ensure compliance, and strengthen program outcomes through data-driven decision making and effective stakeholder collaboration.

Onsite at the Regional Office, you will coordinate with internal teams and external partners, analyze

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, human services, public admin, business admin, management, or related field.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in early childhood programs, preferably Head Start/Early Head Start.
• 3+ years supervisory experience in a hybrid team enviroment.
• Experience with federal discretionary grants management, including oversight and regulatory compliance monitoring.
• Experience managing projects with multiple stakeholders and complex deliverables.
• Experience developing systems and workflows to support program operations.
• Experience in monitoring/quality assurance for grant-funded programs.
• Experience in non-profit or for-profit program operations preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and coach onsite and remote staff.
• Lead Regional Office activities with timelines, resources, deliverables.
• Be primary client interface, COR liaison.
• Ensure project deliverables and results.
• Establish workflows and procedures for compliant operations.
• Prepare Monthly Status Reports and Task Summary Reports.
• Coordinate with Regional Office staff and leadership.
• Perform onsite responsibilities at Regional Office.
• Support grant lifecycle activities: application review, award processing, monitoring.
• Analyze grant applications, budgets, program performance data.
• Manage grants administration including continuation awards, amendments, supplemental awards.
• Participate in monthly calls and risk assessments.
• Conduct onsite monitoring visits and desk reviews.
• Maintain official electronic grant files.
• Utilize GrantSolutions to manage grant activities.
• Review status reports and assist recipients in resolving issues.
• Identify risks and provide guidance.

Skills

Head Start standards

Grant analysis

Stakeholder collaboration

Supervisory leadership

Data-driven decision making

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Smartsheet

SmartFlow

GrantSolutions

Microsoft Office

Teams

SharePoint

Job description

We harness the power of expertise and innovation to solve complex social problems, transform lives, and create lasting change.
BCT is a management consulting firm that tackles complex social problems through data analytics, innovative solutions and program management. We believe complex issues are best solved through collaboration. As a result, we employ a multidisciplinary approach that combines domain expertise, research, evaluation, technology, organizational development, and a passion for change.
To learn more about how we live our values of Ubuntu ("I am because we are") and our mission, go to our website and follow us on social media.
https://www.bctpartners.com/

About the Role

The Lead Program Specialist supports the delivery of professional, technical, and administrative services for Head Start and Early Head Start grant recipients in partnership with the Regional Office of Head Start (RO). Serving in both a programmatic and supervisory capacity, this role oversees BCT Partners staff assigned to the team while also directly supporting core program specialist functions.
Working closely with Regional Office staff, the Lead Program Specialist supports the full grant lifecycle, including application review, award processing, and ongoing monitoring. The role involves analyzing grant applications, budgets, and performance data to ensure compliance with federal requirements, supporting funding decisions, and working directly with grant recipients to address issues, clarify expectations, and strengthen program outcomes.
The position contributes to program quality and accountability through oversight activities, site visits, and risk identification, helping programs improve performance and achieve long-term impact. In addition, the Lead Program Specialist coordinates regional activities, ensures effective team performance, and serves as BCT’s primary liaison to the Regional Office, including direct engagement with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).
Although supervising a hybrid team, the Lead Program Specialist is required to work onsite at the Regional Office to ensure effective coordination and client support. The role collaborates regularly with Regional Office leadership, internal BCT teams, and external partners to ensure alignment and successful execution of program objectives.

How You Contribute to the Team

As a Leader

• Supervise, coach, and provide direction to BCT Partners staff, including both onsite and remote team members.

• Serve as project lead for Regional Office activities, tracking timelines, resources, deliverables, and outcomes to ensure successful execution.
• Act as the primary point of contact for the support contract and serve as BCT Partner’s main interface with the client, including direct engagement with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).
• Assume responsibility for the execution of project deliverables and achievement of expected results.
• Establish and maintain systems, workflows, and procedures to support efficient and compliant operations.
• Prepare accurate and timely Monthly Status Reports and provide Task Summary Reports as required by the client.
• Coordinate closely with Regional Office staff, BCT leadership, and external partners to ensure alignment and effective program delivery.
• Perform responsibilities onsite at the Regional Office to support coordination, communication, and client engagement.

As a Program Specialist

• Perform Program Specialist functions as assigned by the Regional Office, supporting the full grant lifecycle, including application review, award processing, and ongoing monitoring.
• Analyze grant applications, budgets, and program performance data to support funding recommendations and ensure compliance with federal requirements.
• Manage grants administration activities, including annual continuation awards, amendment actions, and the review and awarding of supplemental applications.
• Participate in monthly calls, internal meetings, and risk assessment discussions to support program oversight and decision-making.
• Conduct and support onsite monitoring visits, follow-ups, and desk reviews in alignment with Aligned Monitoring and RAN processes.
• Maintain complete and accurate official electronic grant files for new and continuing awards.
• Utilize systems such as GrantSolutions to manage, track, and document grant activities.
• Review programmatic status reports and monitoring findings; collaborate with Program, DataEdu and Grants Specialists to assist recipients in resolving issues, non-compliances, and deficiencies.
• Identify potential risks and compliance concerns and provide clear guidance to support program improvement and accountability.

Perform these and other reasonable tasks as assigned by management in support of BCT’s goals and objectives.

What You Bring to the Table

As no individual candidate meets every qualification, we encourage candidates who meet most of these requirements to apply!

Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, human services, public administration, business administration, management, or a related field from an accredited college or university required.
• Master’s degree in a related field is preferred but not required.

Experience Requirements

• At least 5 years of progressive professional experience directly related to early childhood programs, with a strong preference for Head Start/Early Head Start experience.
• At least 3 years of supervisory experience, including leading, mentoring, or coordinating staff in a hybrid-working team environment.
• Experience with federal discretionary grants management, including program oversight, funding processes, and regulatory compliance monitoring.
• Experience managing projects or programs involving multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and complex deliverables.

• Experience developing, implementing, and improving systems, processes, and workflows to support program operations.

• Demonstrated experience supporting or leading monitoring, oversight, or quality assurance activities for grant-funded programs.
• Experience in non-profit or for-profit program operations and/or financial management is preferred.

Skills and Expertise

• Strong knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS), child development principles, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze grant applications, budgets, and program performance data to support decision-making and ensure compliance.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and collaboration tools such as Teams, OneNote, and SharePoint; familiarity with Smartsheet and SmartFlow or similar tools is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to use data management systems and software tools to collect, aggregate, analyze, and report on data from multiple sources.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain attention to detail.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changing priorities.
• Proven ability to build effective working relationships with clients, colleagues, direct and indirect reports and stakeholders in both onsite and remote environments.

Communication Skills

• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively, when speaking and writing.
• Proven ability to develop high-quality written materials, including memoranda, reports, presentations, and correspondence.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage and collaborate with federal staff, clients, leadership, and cross-functional teams.
• Ability to present data, findings, and recommendations in a clear, concise, and actionable manner to diverse audiences.

There are multiple factors considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align with the specified role, geographic location, education as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.

BCT offers a competitive total compensation package that, for this position, includes a base salary between $70,000 and $90,000 along with a generous benefits package. BCT’s benefits include partially subsidized medical, dental and vision coverage, fully vested 401k plan with company match, company paid life and disability insurance plans, paid family leave, and a generous paid time off policy.

This is an onsite position located in Philadelphia PA, Kansas City MO, Atlanta GA, Denver CO, Dallas TX, Chicago IL, or Washington, DC. Though we do have staff in all four time zones, BCT Partners headquarters is located on the East Coast in New Jersey. We support and encourage a strong staff community, leveraging virtual communication tools and collaborative work practices. The African philosophy of Ubuntu ("I am because we are") is an overarching value that influences our leadership and interactions.

Our Client & This Project

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) dedicated to fostering health and well-being by providing federal leadership, partnership, and resources for the compassionate and effective delivery of human services. ACF serves families, children, youth, individuals, and communities through funding, policy direction, training, technical assistance, and information services.

The Office of Head Start (OHS), part of ACF, promotes school readiness of young children from low-income families by enhancing their cognitive, social, and emotional development. OHS provides operating grants to local public and private organizations to deliver comprehensive child development services to low-income children (ages birth to five years) and their families.

Those working on this project will provide customer service, grants management assistance, and data management services in direct support of the ACF and OHS missions. They shall deliver responsive and efficient customer service to grant recipients to and in support of federal staff, streamline and support grants management processes, and provide effective and accurate data management services. This effort will enhance program operations, support evidence-based decision-making, and advance OHS objectives to promote child and family well-being and improve school readiness for children from low-income families.

BCT PARTNERS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND PROVIDES EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO ALL PERSONS

No employee or applicant for employment will be discriminated against because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, military and/or veteran status, or any other Federal or State legally protected classes. BCT will recruit, hire, train and promote qualified individuals in all job titles, and ensure that all other personnel actions are administered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, military and/or veteran status, or disability in accordance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, which require affirmative action to ensure equal opportunity in all aspects of employment. BCT Partners does not discriminate on the basis of national origin or citizenship status as provided under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. If you are interested in applying and require special assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please contact Human Resources at [e-mail].