BCT - Project Director - Head Start IT- AMS Platform

Company: BCT Partners, LLC
Location: Washington
Posted on: May 3, 2025

Job Description:

About BCT:We harness the power of expertise and innovation to solve complex social problems, transform lives, and create lasting change.BCT is a management consulting firm that tackles complex social problems through data analytics, innovative solutions and program management. We believe complex issues are best solved through collaboration. As a result, we employ a multidisciplinary approach that combines domain expertise, research, evaluation, technology, organizational development, and a passion for change.To learn more about how we live our values of Ubuntu ("I am because we are") and our mission, go to our website and follow us on social media.About the Role:The Project Director serves as the senior leader overseeing the successful execution of the IT-AMS Digital Services contract for the Office of Head Start (OHS). This individual is responsible for directing all aspects of the project, including strategic planning, team leadership, client engagement, and delivery of high-quality technology services that align with OHS's mission and monitoring objectives. The Project Director will lead a multidisciplinary team of developers, designers, analysts, and support staff to ensure the effective operation, maintenance, and enhancement of the IT-AMS platform. They will serve as the primary liaison to OHS leadership, ensuring transparency, collaboration, and alignment across stakeholders. With a strong focus on agile delivery, compliance, and performance management, the Project Director will guide the delivery of innovative, user-centered digital solutions that improve oversight, data-driven decision-making, and integration with broader OHS systems and services.How You Contribute to the Team:

• Strategic Leadership & Client Engagement

• Provide overall direction and vision for the IT-AMS Digital Services project, ensuring alignment with the Office of Head Start's monitoring and oversight objectives.
• Serve as the primary liaison with federal stakeholders, including the COR and Product Owner, fostering transparency, trust, and collaboration.
• Lead strategic planning and facilitate executive-level briefings and status updates.
• Oversee product deliverables to ensure full compliance with Section 508 accessibility standards.
• Agile Program & Team Management
  • Oversee cross-functional teams delivering digital services using agile methodologies, including backlog management, sprint planning, and retrospectives.
  • Manage task assignments, staffing, and team performance across technical, design, data, and support workstreams.
  • Ensure efficient workflows, resource allocation, and consistent progress toward deliverables.
  • System Operations, Enhancement & Integration
    • Direct ongoing operations, maintenance, and enhancement of the IT-AMS platform to ensure reliability, usability, and security.
    • Oversee the integration of IT-AMS with related OHS systems to support data interoperability and a seamless user experience.
    • Champion user-centered improvements and alignment with government digital service standards.
    • Compliance, Risk & Performance Oversight
      • Ensure compliance with federal IT policies, FISMA Low security controls, and Authority to Operate (ATO) requirements.
      • Identify and mitigate project risks while maintaining high levels of performance and accountability.
      • Manage project documentation, reporting, and quality assurance to meet contractual obligations and client expectations.
      • Perform these and other reasonable tasks as assigned by management in support of BCT's goals and objectives.What You Bring to the Table:
        • Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business, Public Administration, or a related field
        • Master's degree in a related field is strongly preferred
        • Minimum of 10 years of experience leading complex digital or IT projects
        • Minimum of 5 years managing cross-functional agile teams including design, engineering, UX, analytics, and support staff
        • Experience managing federal IT projects with budgets of $2 million or more
        • Demonstrated success delivering user-centered digital products using iterative design and agile delivery practices
        • Proven ability to prioritize product features, manage a backlog, and align delivery with evolving user and business needs
        • Experience working as a primary liaison with federal stakeholders, facilitating product discovery and decision-making
        • Familiarity with the U.S. Digital Services Playbook and Human-Centered Design principles
        • Knowledge of Section 508 accessibility requirements and best practices in usability and inclusive design
        • Experience integrating systems with external data sources or platforms, including federal systems such as HSES or IRIS
        • Familiarity with FISMA Low security requirements and experience managing systems through the Authority to Operate (ATO) process
        • Ability to oversee DevSecOps practices including CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure as code, and cloud deployment environments such as Cloud.gov
        • Strong skills in stakeholder communication, executive briefing, risk escalation, and performance reporting
        • Professional certifications such as PMP (Project Management Professional), CSM (Certified ScrumMaster), or SAFe Agile Practitioner are preferred
        • Working knowledge of modern software architecture and technologies such as Java, React, Node.js, or API-first development approaches is a plus
        • Proven ability to effectively communicate to various audiences when speaking and in writing.
        • Proficiency with computer, Internet, Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint); experience with SharePoint and Monday.com desirable.
        • Experience with video meetings/conferencing (e.g., Zoom, Adobe, MS Teams).
        • Ability to adapt quickly to new applications.Compensation and Benefits:There are multiple factors considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.BCT offers a competitive total compensation package that, for this position, includes a base salary between $160,000 and $170,000 along with a generous benefits package. BCT's benefits include heavily subsidized medical, dental and vision coverage, fully vested 401k plan with company match, company paid life and disability insurance plans, paid family leave, and a generous paid time off policy.This is a remote position that is expected to require regular travel to Washington, DC; therefore, ideal candidates will be located in the DC, Maryland and Virginia area. Though we do have staff in all four time zones, BCT Partners works primarily on Eastern Time. We support and encourage a strong staff community, leveraging virtual communication tools and collaborative work practices. The African philosophy of Ubuntu ("I am because we are") is an overarching value that influences our leadership and interactions.About the Project:The Office of Head Start (OHS), within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), has initiated a critical effort to modernize and sustain its Aligned Monitoring System 2.0 (IT-AMS) - a centralized digital platform that enables comprehensive oversight of Head Start and Early Head Start grant recipients across the United States and territories. This initiative supports OHS's mandate to ensure grantee compliance, performance, and responsible stewardship of federal funds through approximately 1,600-2,000 reviews annually.Through this contract, BCT Partners will provide a full suite of digital services, including OHS technology integration, ongoing system maintenance and enhancement, and technology-related service and support. These efforts will ensure that IT-AMS remains secure, scalable, and responsive to evolving program needs. Leveraging agile and user-centered design principles, the project aims to enhance interoperability with other OHS systems, deliver robust data analytics and dashboards, improve user experience, and provide help desk and training support for diverse stakeholders. Together, these services will empower OHS staff to make data-informed decisions, identify risks, streamline monitoring workflows, and improve outcomes for Head Start children and families.Beware of fraudulent job postings using BCT Partners' name & logo. Legitimate BCT communication will only come from bctpartners.com or recruiting+@applytojob.com emails, not free commercial services like Gmail or WhatsApp. BCT Partners will never request payment-related details or advancement of money during the application process. All open BCT jobs are easily accessible via our website Careers page, which includes a link to our open jobs list and job application system. If in doubt about any position or potential offer, please follow up with our team: careers@bctpartners.com. If you receive suspicious emails from someone posing as BCT Partners that ask for payment or personal information, contact us immediately at careers@bctpartners.com. If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.BCT Partners is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides equal opportunity to all persons. No employee or applicant for employment will be discriminated against because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, military and/or veteran status, or any other Federal or State legally protected classes. BCT will recruit, hire, train and promote qualified individuals in all job titles, and ensure that all other personnel actions are administered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, military and/or veteran status, or disability in accordance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, which require affirmative action to ensure equal opportunity in all aspects of employment. BCT Partners does not discriminate on the basis of national origin or citizenship status as provided under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. If you are interested in applying and require special assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please contact Human Resources at careers@bctpartners.com.
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