Federal Health Program Modernization Director

About the role

As a leader within the Guidehouse Federal Health Advisory practice, you will partner with clients to drive impactful transformations in support of HHS and the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) mission. You will be responsible for growing a book of business, building trusted client relationships, leading dynamic teams, and delivering transformative project results across ACF and related federal human services programs. This role oversees all aspects of contract and project delivery, including child welfare program modernization, program integrity and fraud, waste, and abuse mitigation, organizational strategy and evaluation, operational improvement, workforce and leadership development, stakeholder engagement, communications, and change management.

Responsibilities

• Actively manage a portfolio of ACF and federal human services client engagements and consulting staff, ensuring all contractual requirements and deliverables are met.
• Strategize with consultant teams on project approach, facilitate communications, and manage risk across engagements.
• Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with ACF and federal human services client executives.
• Manage all aspects of project financials and deliver all projects on budget and on schedule.
• Maintain and promote compliance with contractual, regulatory, and internal policy requirements.
• Drive growth and sales, personally accountable for growing the practice at a rate of $10M+ in annual new business.
• Serve as the lead executive for new business opportunities.
• Develop white papers, attend conferences, and create solutions and methodologies focused on child welfare, program integrity, operational modernization, and fraud, waste, and abuse mitigation.
• Act as a content and domain expert for ACF and human services client challenges, including child welfare operations, program integrity, fraud, waste, and abuse, organizational effectiveness, and facilitation of high‑stakes meetings.
• Provide direct line management for consultants assigned to owned client engagements.
• Lead career development, advocacy, recruitment, and retention of Federal Health Advisory team members.
• Train and onboard new team members, mentoring and coaching staff.
• Shape and sustain an authentic, collaborative, and performance‑oriented culture.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in public health, business administration, organizational development, or related fields.
• Experience supporting fraud, waste, and abuse prevention, detection, program integrity, improper payment reduction, or related compliance initiatives.
• 12+ years of total experience, including industry or consulting experience (excluding internships, part‑time roles, co‑ops, fellowships, and academic research).
• 10+ years of experience supporting public sector agencies, with required experience with HHS.
• Experience supporting child welfare programs, child and family services, or related human services programs.
• Demonstrated ability to lead new business pursuits and proposals with proven results.
• Excellent program/project management skills with experience leading large multi‑disciplinary teams.
• Proven ability to establish and maintain strong business relationships with senior executive clients.
• Well‑rounded leadership skills to provide strategic, analytical, and operational direction to teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree, preferably in public policy, public administration, social work, public health, business administration, organizational development, or related fields.

Benefits

• Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Personal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid Holidays
• Discretionary variable incentive bonus (position may be eligible)
• Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Basic Life & Supplemental Life Insurance
• Health Savings Account, Dental/Vision & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Short‑Term & Long‑Term Disability
• Student Loan PayDown
• Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development & Learning Opportunities
• Skills Development & Certifications
• Employee Referral Program
• Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach
• Emergency Back‑Up Childcare Program
• Mobility Stipend

Additional Information

Travel required up to 10%. Clearance required. Ability to obtain Public Trust.