Early Childhood Programs - Senior Consultant

Guidehouse•Dc, DC

About The Position

As part of a multidisciplinary team, the Senior Consultant supports federal initiatives focused on early childhood programs. The role addresses complex programmatic, policy, operational, and organizational priorities affecting children, families, grant recipients, and early childhood systems nationwide. It requires strong analytical, communication, stakeholder engagement, and project management skills to support high-priority agency initiatives. The consultant supports program and policy initiatives, conducts qualitative and quantitative analyses, prepares client-facing materials, and contributes to grants management, program administration, technical assistance, and implementation. The role also supports stakeholder engagement, project planning, organizational effectiveness, process improvement, and change management. In addition, the consultant collaborates with federal staff and other stakeholders, delivers high-quality client products, and contributes to account growth and business development.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree.
Four or more years of relevant experience supporting federal, state, local, tribal, nonprofit, education, or human-services programs.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Federal Public Trust.
Experience in one or more of the following: early childhood education, Head Start or Early Head Start, policy analysis, program administration, grants management, budget analysis, cost modeling, fiscal planning, program operations, research and evaluation, data analysis and reporting, stakeholder engagement, technical assistance, or organizational effectiveness.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
Experience preparing client-facing deliverables and presentations.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Public Administration, Public Policy, Education, Early Childhood Education, Public Health, Organizational Leadership, Psychology, Political Science, Human Services, or a related field.
Active Public Trust or suitability.
Experience working with federal agencies.
Experience supporting federal grants, program monitoring, technical assistance, or implementation activities.
Familiarity with early childhood systems, child and family programs, or human services programs.
Experience facilitating stakeholder meetings, trainings, or workgroups.
Prior federal consulting experience.

Responsibilities

Support program, policy, operational, and strategic initiatives that advance outcomes for children, families, grant recipients, and communities.
Conduct qualitative and quantitative analyses to inform decision-making and support mission-driven priorities.
Develop reports, executive briefings, presentations, communications materials, and recommendations for various stakeholders.
Support grants management, program administration, technical assistance, and implementation activities across complex federal programs.
Facilitate stakeholder engagement efforts, meetings, workshops, and training to support collaboration and program success.
Develop work plans, project schedules, status reports, and implementation strategies to advance organizational and program objectives.
Support organizational effectiveness, process improvement, and change management initiatives that strengthen service delivery and program performance.
Analyze programmatic, operational, financial, and administrative data to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement.
Identify risks, issues, and opportunities and develop recommendations to support effective program execution.
Collaborate with federal staff, grant recipients, contractors, and other stakeholders to achieve shared goals.
Contribute to high-quality client products addressing complex programmatic, policy, operational, and organizational priorities.
Contribute to account growth and business development through proposal support, solution development, client relationship management, and identification of emerging agency priorities.