Engagement Lead - HR Modernization & Staff Augmentation

CAI; Trenton (NJ); Hybrid; USD 124,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

CAI is seeking an Engagement Manager in Trenton, NJ, to lead staffing, delivery, and performance for a public-sector HR modernization initiative. The role combines client liaison duties with hands-on management of a staff augmentation team within a hybrid, full-time contract arrangement.

The ideal candidate will bring 10+ years in engagement/resource management, strong stakeholder relationships, and proven ability to manage budgets, contracts, and vendor coordination across IT and business units.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• 10+ years of experience in engagement management, resource management, or client-facing leadership roles.
• 5+ years of experience hiring and managing staff augmentation or consulting teams for technology initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience recruiting technical talent, including cloud developers, data engineers, business analysts, and QA professionals.
• Experience managing consultant performance and staffing changes; demonstrated experience managing executive-level stakeholder relationships.
• Experience with contract, budget, and invoice management.
• Proficiency with project management and collaboration tools such as Jira, Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, or similar platforms.
• Exceptional written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong conflict resolution, negotiation, and problem-solving abilities.
• PMP Certification (preferred).
• Experience supporting State of New Jersey agencies (preferred).
• Experience within Human Services, Child Welfare, Public Health, or Social Services programs (preferred).
• Experience staffing AWS or other cloud modernization programs (preferred).
• Experience implementing HR or human capital management modernization (preferred).
• Familiarity with state procurement, governance, and compliance processes (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Source, screen, interview, and hire candidates for each staff augmentation role in line with client role definitions, required skills, and approved rates.
• Coordinate onboarding, including background checks, system access, equipment, and agency orientation.
• Keep a pipeline of qualified candidates ready for backfills and planned ramp-ups.
• Plan staffing ramp-up and ramp-down to match program phases and the project plan.
• Direct day-to-day coordination of augmented staff across business analysis, development, data, and testing roles.
• Align staff assignments with the Project Manager's plan and pod structure.
• Manage time reporting, approvals, and capacity across the team.
• Oversee and evaluate consultant work quality, productivity, and deliverables against contractual obligations.
• Request reassignment or replacement of staff when skill alignment or performance issues arise.
• Ensure consulting resources are used effectively to meet changing project needs.
• Serve as the primary intermediary between the consulting firm and internal DCF stakeholders.
• Act as a trusted advisor to client leadership, building relationships across units and vendor organizations.
• Keep communication clear and ensure priorities are understood by all parties.
• Track hours and spend against budget and contract ceilings, and reconcile invoices.
• Ensure compliance with statement of work terms and procurement rules.
• Report staffing status, spend, and performance to agency leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Project management

Communication skills

Negotiation

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree

PMP Certification

Tools

Jira

Microsoft Project

Smartsheet

Job description

CAI is seeking an Engagement Manager in Trenton, NJ, to lead staffing, delivery, and performance for a public-sector HR modernization initiative. The role combines client liaison duties with hands-on management of a staff augmentation team within a hybrid, full-time contract arrangement.

The ideal candidate will bring 10+ years in engagement/resource management, strong stakeholder relationships, and proven ability to manage budgets, contracts, and vendor coordination across IT and business units.