Head Start Grants Lead & Program Specialist (Onsite)

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

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