Cognitive Domain Lead | Strategic Multi-Project Ops

MAXIMUS; Portland (OR); Remote; USD 88,000 - 189,000; Full time

Job summary

Maximus in the United States is seeking a senior program manager to lead cognitive domain programs and services. You will oversee large multi-project initiatives, align plans with PMI standards, and coordinate with SOF personnel and stakeholders to ensure mission success. This role requires a bachelor's degree, 7–10 years of experience, U.S.

citizenship and the ability to obtain a Secret clearance. You will develop strategic direction, manage risk, and drive continuous improvement across

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 7-10 years of relevant professional experience.
• Advanced knowledge of cognitive performance, brain health, neuroscience, human performance, psychology, or 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.

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.

Skills

Project management

PMI methodology

Stakeholder management

Multi-project leadership

Risk management

Strategic planning

Data-driven decisions

Communication

Vendor coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Maximus in the United States is seeking a senior program manager to lead cognitive domain programs and services. You will oversee large multi-project initiatives, align plans with PMI standards, and coordinate with SOF personnel and stakeholders to ensure mission success. This role requires a bachelor's degree, 7–10 years of experience, U.S.

citizenship and the ability to obtain a Secret clearance. You will develop strategic direction, manage risk, and drive continuous improvement across