Cognitive Domain Lead (Remote)

MAXIMUS; Colorado Springs (CO); Remote; USD 88,000 - 189,000; Full time

Job summary

Maximus in Colorado Springs seeks a Senior Program Manager to lead cognitive-domain programs and manage multi-project portfolios. You will collaborate with SOF and healthcare professionals to ensure program relevance and impact.

The role requires a U.S. citizen with eligibility for a Secret clearance, and you will implement evidence-based practices to improve readiness, resilience, and operational performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field.
• 7–10 years of relevant professional experience.
• Advanced knowledge of cognitive performance, brain health, neuroscience, human performance, psychology, or a related discipline.
• Experience leading programs, multidisciplinary teams, or complex human performance initiatives.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen per contract requirements and eligible for Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operational aspects of a project and scope.
• Oversee large multi-project programs including planning, staffing, leading, and controlling activities.
• Develop and maintain project work plans and resources.
• Apply PMI methodology and enforce project standards.
• Communicate project information to management, stakeholders, and customers.
• Lead continuous improvement teams.

Skills

Strategic planning

Program management

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Cross-functional collaboration

Leadership

Data-driven decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Job description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage day-to-day operational aspects of a project and scope including facilitating and preparing all planning activities and artifacts.
• Oversee and manage large multi-project programs including planning, organizing, staffing, leading, and controlling program activities.
• Create and execute project work plans and revise as appropriate to meet changing needs and requirements.
• Identify resources needed and assign individual responsibilities.
• Develop and maintain a master and individual resource plan and required documents for projects.
• Baseline all projects and capture actual metrics for historical metrics and Level of Effort (LoE) forecasting.
• Review deliverables prepared by team before providing to management and customers.
• Effectively apply the PMI methodology and enforce project standards on all projects.
• Prepare for engagement reviews and quality assurance procedures.
• Minimize risk exposure on projects.
• Communicate relevant project information to management, stakeholders, and customers.
• Resolve and/or escape issues within a reasonable amount of time taking in consideration impact on the project.
• Ensure project documents are complete, current, and stored appropriately.
• Track and maintain lessons learned and utilize lessons learned on subsequent projects.
• Ensure all projects are properly closed out.
• Supervise staff by providing direction, input, and performance feedback.
• Serve as escalation point to prioritizing workloads and resolving issues.
• Act as liaison for assigned vendor(s), including performance and SLA monitoring, and supporting system and business process changes.
• Participate in the drafting of vendor contracts, addendums, SOWs, RFPs/RFIs, change requests, and requirements.
• Lead continuous improvement teams.
• Provide strategic direction, planning, and oversight for cognitive domain programs and services.
• Develop and implement evidence-based initiatives that improve cognitive readiness, brain health, resilience, and operational performance.
• Integrate cognitive services with physical, psychological, spiritual, social, and family performance domains.
• Collaborate with SOF personnel, families, leadership, medical and behavioral health providers, and other stakeholders to ensure program relevance and impact.
• Establish performance measures, analyze program data, evaluate outcomes, and recommend continuous improvements.
• Identify and advance innovative approaches to training, prevention, care delivery, and return-to-duty support.
• Represent the cognitive domain in leadership forums, working groups, briefings, and program reviews.
• Ensure consistent program standards through centralized oversight while supporting decentralized execution across operational settings.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in related field.
• 7-10 years of relevant professional experience required.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience considered in lieu of degree.
• Advanced knowledge of cognitive performance, brain health, neuroscience, human performance, psychology, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience leading programs, multidisciplinary teams, or complex human performance initiatives.
• Strong strategic planning, program management, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience using data, research, and evidence-based practices to guide decisions and measure outcomes.
• Ability to operate effectively in a multi-domain, cross-functional environment.
• Understanding of high-performance populations, operational tempo, and occupational stressors.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen per contract requirements.
• Must possess an active U.S. Government Secret security clearance or be eligible to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance as required for contract performance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting SOF, military, federal, or similarly demanding operational populations.
• Experience developing cognitive assessment, monitoring, training, or performance optimization programs.
• Experience briefing senior leaders and translating technical findings into actionable recommendations.

Please note: For this position Maximus will provide equipment to use.

Home Office Requirements:

• Internet speed of 25mbps or higher required / 50 Mpbs for shared internet connectivity (you can test this by going to www.speedtest.net)
• Minimum 5mpbs upload speed
• Connectivity to the internet via Category 5 or 6 ethernet patch cable to the home router
• Private and secure work area and adequate power source
• Must currently and permanently reside in the Continental US
• Must have a smartphone which will be required to log into Maximus systems

EEO Statement

Maximus is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics.

Pay Transparency

Maximus compensation is based on various factors including but not limited to job location, a candidate's education, training, experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value analysis including seniority and merit systems, as well as internal pay alignment. Annual salary is just one component of Maximus's total compensation package. Other rewards may include short- and long-term incentives as well as program-specific awards. Additionally, Maximus provides a variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, paid holidays and paid time off. Compensation ranges may differ based on contract value but will be commensurate with job duties and relevant work experience. An applicant's salary history will not be used in determining compensation. Maximus will comply with regulatory minimum wage rates and exempt salary thresholds in all instances.

Accommodations

Maximus provides reasonable accommodations to individuals requiring assistance during any phase of the employment process due to a disability, medical condition, or physical or mental impairment. If you require assistance at any stage of the employment process-including accessing job postings, completing assessments, or participating in interviews,-please contact People Operations at [e-mail].

Minimum Salary

$
88,000.00

Maximum Salary

$
189,200.00