Managing Consultant, Early Childhood Programs (Remote Eligible)

Mathematica; Ann Arbor (MI); On-site; USD 100,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Mathematica is seeking a Managing Consultant to lead and support federal early childhood and human services projects in the United States, focusing on Head Start and related initiatives. You will oversee teams, manage complex tasks, and develop data-informed solutions for clients.

This role emphasizes strong client engagement, program monitoring, and continuous improvement through change management and human-centered design, with opportunities to mentor staff and contribute to high-impact policy

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• At least 6 years of progressive experience in early childhood programs, preferably Head Start.
• Experience with federal discretionary grants management and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to lead activities, manage multidisciplinary teams through project lifecycles.
• Ability to aggregate, analyze, synthesize, and present data from multiple sources.
• Experience designing and facilitating change management and human-centered design.
• Experience using a variety of web-based data management software packages.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• At least 2 years of supervisory experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Builds and maintains collaborative relationships with federal, state, and other clients and partners and works with them to identify needs, develop solutions, and strengthen program capacity.
• Collaborates with clients to develop and implement program improvement strategies and technical assistance plans based on data, evidence, and subject matter expertise.
• Leads and coordinates multidisciplinary teams to implement, monitor, and advise on federal and state policies and programs, including early childhood initiatives such as Head Start and Early Head Start.
• Supports federal discretionary grants management, program and financial management, regulatory compliance monitoring and oversight, and related technical assistance activities.
• Aggregates, analyzes, and presents information from multiple sources to assess program performance, identify trends and challenges, and develop actionable recommendations for clients and stakeholders.
• Applies change management, continuous improvement, participatory, and human-centered design approaches to develop solutions that address client and program needs.
• Plans and facilitates webinars, meetings, trainings, and small-group discussions with government clients, program staff, and other partners.
• Authors and reviews high-quality technical assistance and client-facing products, including memoranda, standard operating procedures, data dictionaries, implementation guides, presentations, and other materials.
• Uses web-based and other data management and project management tools to support project implementation, monitoring, analysis, and reporting.
• Supervises and mentors staff, delegates and reviews work, and supports the professional development of team members.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Project management

Team leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Data analysis

Policy analysis

Strategic thinking

Communication

Change management

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Education

Master’s degree in early childhood education, human services, public administration, or related field

PMP certification encouraged

Job description

About Mathematica

Mathematica applies expertise at the intersection of data, methods, policy, and practice to improve well-being around the world. We collaborate closely with public- and private-sector partners to translate big questions into deep insights that improve programs, refine strategies, and enhance understanding using data science and analytics. Our work yields actionable information to guide decisions in wide-ranging policy areas, from health, education, early childhood, and family support to nutrition, employment, disability, and international development.

Mathematica offers our employees competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package, as well as the advantages of being 100 percent employee owned. As an employee stock owner, you will experience financial benefits of ESOP holdings that have increased in tandem with the company’s growth and financial strength. You will also be part of an independent, employee-owned firm that is able to define and further our mission, enhance our quality and accountability, and steadily grow our financial strength.

Read more about our benefits here: Benefits at a Glance .

About Mathematica

Mathematica applies expertise at the intersection of data, methods, policy, and practice to improve well-being around the world. We collaborate closely with public- and private-sector partners to translate big questions into deep insights that improve programs, refine strategies, and enhance understanding using data science and analytics. Our work yields actionable information to guide decisions in wide-ranging policy areas, from health, education, early childhood, and family support to nutrition, employment, disability, and international development.

Primary Duties And Responsibilities

We are seeking a Managing Consultant to lead and support projects focused on early childhood and human services programs. Managing Consultants oversee teams, manage projects and complex tasks, and develop solutions to clients’ policy, programmatic, and operational challenges. While responsibilities vary by project assignment, this role requires a combination of early childhood program and policy expertise, project and team management, analytic skills, strategic thinking, and strong client engagement and communication.

The Managing Consultant will support federal early childhood initiatives, including Head Start and Early Head Start, and may lead activities related to program monitoring, technical assistance, grants management, regulatory compliance, program and financial management, and continuous improvement.

Important Employment Information

As we develop our business and generate work, we are hiring for this skill set; however, if an offer is extended, it will be contingent upon the successful award of work. If Mathematica is awarded the work, this role will be full-time, and you will be a regular employee of Mathematica. If you are contacted by our Talent Acquisition team, you will receive more information and details about this process.

Responsibilities

• Builds and maintains collaborative, trusting relationships with federal, state, and other clients and partners and works with them to identify needs, develop solutions, and strengthen program capacity.
• Collaborates with clients to develop and implement program improvement strategies and technical assistance plans based on data, evidence, and subject matter expertise.
• Leads and coordinates multidisciplinary teams to implement, monitor, and advise on federal and state policies and programs, including early childhood initiatives such as Head Start and Early Head Start.
• Supports federal discretionary grants management, program and financial management, regulatory compliance monitoring and oversight, and related technical assistance activities.
• Aggregates, analyzes, and presents information from multiple sources to assess program performance, identify trends and challenges, and develop actionable recommendations for clients and stakeholders.
• Applies change management, continuous improvement, participatory, and human-centered design approaches to develop solutions that address client and program needs.
• Plans and facilitates webinars, meetings, trainings, and small-group discussions with government clients, program staff, and other partners.
• Authors and reviews high-quality technical assistance and client-facing products, including memoranda, standard operating procedures, data dictionaries, implementation guides, presentations, and other materials.
• Uses web-based and other data management and project management tools to support project implementation, monitoring, analysis, and reporting.
• Supervises and mentors staff, delegates and reviews work, and supports the professional development of team members.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in early childhood education, human services, public administration, or related field.
• At least 6 years of progressive professional experience directly related to early childhood programs, with a preference for Head Start/Early Head Start programs.
• Experience with federal discretionary grants management, non-profit or for-profit program and/or financial management, and regulatory compliance monitoring and oversight.
• Demonstrated ability to lead activities, manage and coordinate work of multidisciplinary teams through the project lifecycle to deliver high-quality work to our clients on time and budget.
• Demonstrated ability to aggregate, analyze, synthesize, and present data and evidence from multiple sources to support program monitoring, performance measurement, decision-making, and actionable recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to design and facilitate change management and/or continuous improvement processes that use participatory and human-centered design approaches.
• Demonstrated experience using a variety of web-based and off-the-shelf data management software packages.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to develop and review high-quality memoranda, presentations, correspondence, technical assistance materials, and other client-facing products.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• At least 2 years of supervisory experience preferred, including experience mentoring and developing staff.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification encouraged but not required.

Functional Expertise

• Knowledge of federal monitoring of early childhood programs, with a preference for experience in measuring the performance, progress, compliance, and accountability of Head Start programs.
• Experience in fiscal management of early childhood programs, with a preference for experience or training in federal interest, fiscal reporting, in-kind contributions, cost allocation, budgeting, and/or internal controls for Head Start programs.
• Knowledge of facilities and/or early childhood learning environments, with a preference for experience in designing, purchasing, constructing, renovating, and/or maintaining facilities that operate Head Start programs.
• Experience in child health and safety, with a preference for experience in addressing sensitive subject matter such as child abuse and neglect.
• Knowledge of Head Start program options, the Full Enrollment Initiative (FEI), and changes in scope (CiS), with a preference for expertise in budget analysis.

This position offers an anticipated base salary of $100,000 - $135,000 annually.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

At Mathematica, we understand the importance of building relationships with colleagues. If you’re not located near one of our offices but would like opportunities to meet up with co-workers, we offer coworking spaces where available. Ask your Talent Acquisition partner for more information about this opportunity and whether it’s an option in your area.

Any offer of employment will be contingent upon passing a background check. Various federal agencies with whom we contract require that staff successfully undergo security clearance as a condition of working on the project. If you are assigned to such a project, you will be required to obtain the requisite security clearance. Additionally, if you participate in or complete the application process and are denied, Mathematica may choose to terminate your employment.

We take pride in our employees and in their commitment to excellence. We encourage staff to collaborate in developing creative solutions to difficult problems and to share the responsibility and enjoyment of carrying out complex projects. This collegial spirit has helped us earn our reputation for innovative and high-quality work.