Cognitive Performance Program Director

MAXIMUS; City of Rochester (NY); Remote; USD 88,000 - 189,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equipment provided

Job summary

MAXIMUS is seeking a seasoned program manager to lead cognitive domain programs and services, coordinating cross-functional teams across planning, execution, and evaluation. You will drive strategic direction, implement evidence-based initiatives, and integrate cognitive health with broader performance domains.

The role requires strong stakeholder engagement, data-driven decision making, and experience leading complex human performance initiatives in a demanding environment. U.S.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field required.
• 7-10 years of relevant professional experience required.
• 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.

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

Cognitive performance

Brain health

Neuroscience

Human performance

Psychology

Strategic planning

Program management

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Data-driven decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

MAXIMUS is seeking a seasoned program manager to lead cognitive domain programs and services, coordinating cross-functional teams across planning, execution, and evaluation. You will drive strategic direction, implement evidence-based initiatives, and integrate cognitive health with broader performance domains.

The role requires strong stakeholder engagement, data-driven decision making, and experience leading complex human performance initiatives in a demanding environment. U.S.