BCT – UX/UI Digital Design Lead – Head Start IT-AMS Platform

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.     
https://www.bctpartners.com/    

About the Role: 

The UX/UI Digital Design Lead plays a central role in shaping user-centered digital solutions for the Office of Head Start’s IT-Aligned Management System (AMS) platform. This position is responsible for leading the visual, interaction, and service design strategies that inform the platform’s tools, workflows, and dashboards used by federal staff, reviewers, and grantees. The Digital Design Lead collaborates closely with engineers, product owners, data analysts, and end users to ensure that digital services are intuitive, accessible, inclusive, and aligned with both user needs and federal guidelines. This role is critical in advancing OHS’s goal to deliver transparent, efficient, and effective digital monitoring systems. 

Scroll down for more details About the Project.  
How You Contribute to the Team: 

• Lead the design strategy across all digital components of the IT-AMS platform, including user flows, interaction models, visual systems, and content structure 

• Translate complex monitoring processes and data workflows into intuitive, user-friendly interfaces and tools 

• Conduct or oversee user research, usability testing, and feedback analysis to inform design decisions 

• Develop and maintain system-wide design standards, style guides, and reusable components that align with the U.S. Web Design System (USWDS) 

• Ensure all platform interfaces are accessible and compliant with Section 508 and WCAG 2.1 standards 

• Collaborate closely with product owners, front-end developers, data teams, and customer support to deliver features that solve user problems 

• Support dashboard, reporting tool, and risk indicator interface development 

• Champion human-centered design thinking within a cross-functional agile delivery team  

• Perform these and other reasonable tasks as assigned by management in support of BCT’s goals and objectives.  

What You Bring to the Table: 

As no individual candidate meets every qualification, we encourage candidates who meet most of these requirements to apply! 

• Bachelor’s degree in User Experience Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Visual Design, Web Design, or a related field 

• Minimum of 5 years of experience designing user interfaces for digital services or web applications 

• 2 years of experience in leading teams, including both direct and indirect reports, with a track record of fostering collaboration and ensuring compliance with established guidelines and approaches. 

• Proven experience applying human-centered design practices in agile environments 

• Strong portfolio demonstrating responsive, accessible designs for web and mobile platforms 

• Familiarity with the U.S. Web Design System (USWDS) and federal digital accessibility requirements 

• Proficiency in design tools such as Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, or similar 

• Experience conducting or incorporating results from usability testing and user research 

• Strong collaboration and communication skills, especially in cross-functional or federal teams 

• Experience working with government clients, early childhood education programs, or data-heavy platforms is preferred 

• Understanding of front-end technologies (HTML, CSS, React) is a plus 

• Certification in UX Design, Service Design, or Accessibility (e.g., CPACC) is preferred 

• 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. 

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 $115,000 and $150,000 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.