seeks a highly experienced individual
to serve as the Child Care Systems Modernization Strategic Consultant. This individual will
provide strategic guidance and hands-on execution during the planning and procurement
phases of a multi-year child care systems modernization initiative.
The Strategic Consultant will be responsible for building the foundation of the modernization
effort, including defining scope, coordinating stakeholders, developing procurement strategies,
managing vendor engagements, and establishing the governance, planning, and operational
structures necessary for successful implementation.
The selected contractor will operate with a high degree of independence and will leverage
existing DCF subject matter experts, business leaders, and technology staff to advance the
initiative.
The contractor will be expected to directly produce work products and deliverables rather than
relying on dedicated project staff. Success in this role requires both strategic management and
hands-on execution.
Project management certification or successful completion of a recognized project management
curriculum is required
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Planning and Modernization Leadership
• Develop and maintain an overall modernization roadmap and implementation strategy.
• Assess current-state business processes, technology systems, organizational readiness,
and modernization needs.
• Identify risks, dependencies, and critical decision points requiring executive engagement.
• Recommend phased approaches for procurement, implementation, organizational
change management, and business transformation.
Procurement and Vendor Management
• Lead development of procurement strategies and supporting documentation.
• Draft and coordinate Requests for Information (RFIs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs),
Statements of Work (SOWs), and related procurement materials.
• Evaluate vendor proposals and support contract negotiations.
• Advise agency leadership on vendor selection, contracting approaches, and governance
structures.
• Establish performance expectations and accountability measures for future vendors and
implementation partners.
Partner Coordination and Governance
• Coordinate activities across business, policy, finance, procurement, and technology
teams.
• Facilitate executive decision-making and ensure alignment among partners and
stakeholders.
• Develop governance structures, decision frameworks, reporting processes, and escalation
protocols.
• Prepare executive briefings, status reports, and strategic recommendations.
Program Development and Readiness
• Identify resource needs and recommend future staffing and contractor support models.
• Develop foundational project artifacts, including charters, workplans, risk registers, issue
logs, and implementation frameworks.
• Support development of business requirements, process improvement opportunities,
and future-state operating models.
• Establish structures necessary for transition from planning into implementation.
Expected Outcomes
Within the first 12 months, the Strategic Consultant will establish the strategic, procurement,
governance, and operational foundations necessary to launch the child care modernization
program and transition into full implementation with selected vendors and project teams.
Within the first 24 months, the first phase of implementation will be successfully delivered.
Minimal Qualifications
• Significant experience leading large-scale technology modernization or digital
transformation initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing complex technology procurements.
• Experience with vendor selection, contract negotiation, and multi-vendor environments.
• Strong knowledge of project management, organizational change management, and
systems implementation methodologies.
• Experience facilitating executive-level decision-making and stakeholder engagement.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with human services, child care, public assistance, eligibility, licensing, grants
management, or other government program systems.
• Experience modernizing legacy systems.
• Familiarity with cloud-based platforms, modular procurement strategies, and agile
delivery approaches.
• Experience establishing governance structures for large-scale modernization initiatives.
Qualification Minimum
Experience
Project Management of Large Initiatives 15
Development of Project Artifacts (plan, charter, status
reports, etc.)
15
Procurement Planning 10
Prepare Written Reports 12
Strong Communication Skills 12
Prepare Executive Briefings 12
MS Project or equivalent 12
Other Notes to Suppliers:
1. Selected candidate will be required to provide personal equipment for remote work.
Technical specifications of hardware are:
Home Internet Service: Minimum 20 Mbit down and 5 Mbit up. Capability to plug in
network (cat 5a or better) cable to the computer.
Windows Computers
- Operating System: Windows 10
- Memory: Minimum 4 GB, Preferred 8 GB+
- Processor (CPU): Any 32-bit or 64-bit running 2 Gigahertz (GHz) or faster
- Graphics card that supports Direct3D 11 Video
- Installation of the latest VMware Horizon Client
Apple Computers
- Operating System: MacOS: 10.14, 10.15, or 11
- Memory: Minimum 4GB, preferred 8 GB+
- Processor (CPU): Any 64-bit Intel-based Mac or ARM M1-based Mac running
in emulation with Rosetta 2
- Installation of the latest VMware Horizon Client
It is required to have full audio/video conferencing capabilities (camera and headset).
Requirements
Project details: The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) seeks a highly experienced individual to serve as the Child Care Systems Modernization Strategic Consultant. This individual will provide strategic guidance and hands-on execution during the planning and procurement phases of a multi-year child care systems modernization initiative.
Top 3-4 desired skills required for the position:
Project Management
Written and Verbal Communication
Critical Thinking