Program Specialist 1

Program Specialist I (US- Remote)

What to expect when you join Sikich

Team members at Sikich have a lot in common while also being part of a rich and varied group of contributors, creating a distinct and thriving culture. Chief among our commonalities is a desire for growth and a shared unity of purpose in our professional lives. We believe that through diverse perspectives, challenging the status quo and rewarding action, we accelerate innovation and drive growth – for our clients, for ourselves and for our communities.

The professional services landscape continues to evolve. For Sikich, this means we have an opportunity to further cement our leadership position in this industry and continue to grow our organization in increasingly exciting ways. This growth is meaningful for every team member at our company because larger companies simply see more interesting client opportunities and can attract impressively talented individuals like you. Through a dedicated focus on key business priorities and intentionally creating rewarding employee experience, Sikich has developed into a highly regarded provider of professional services and a sought-after employer of choice.

Do you want to work with other skilled and agile practitioners who thrive on challenge and growth? We believe everyone has untapped potential. That’s why we lead with vision and act fast, pairing deep expertise with practical solutions. Our teams cut through complexity and deliver real impact. It's our hope that you find more than just a job. At Sikich, you'll find optimism, clear insights and genuine warmth, without egos.

Are you ready to grow with us?

Position summary

The Program Specialist supports enterprise-scale program coordination, reporting, and operational execution across CMS/CCSQ programs and Lines of Business (LOBs). This role supports program governance, maintains performance metrics, tracks risks and dependencies, and ensures transparency across program activities. The Program Specialist operates within a fast-paced federal health IT environment, supporting both structured program management processes and ad hoc coordination needs. This role ensures that program data, reporting artifacts, and decision-support materials are accurate, timely, and aligned with CMS priorities, enabling leadership to make informed decisions across the portfolio.

What will you do in this role?

Enterprise Communications Execution

• Develop and deliver operational and end-user communications including downtime notices, system upgrade announcements, release notifications, and change alerts for QualityNet Shared Services and LOB systems.
• Tailor communications to specific audiences across LOBs, teams, and initiatives using written, visual, and multimedia formats.
• Deliver communications through CMS-approved channels including email, Slack, and the QualityNet website.
• Coordinate with technical, program, and leadership teams to validate all content prior to release.
• Support enterprise communications planning, scheduling, and intake processes under the direction of the Communications Lead.
• Serve as a senior contributor to communications strategy planning, coordinating closely with the Communications Lead on high-visibility deliverables, content calendars, and cross-program messaging alignment.

Training and Informational Materials

• Produce and distribute training and informational materials to support adoption of new tools, system enhancements, and process changes, including videos, graphics, user guides, and microlearning assets.
• Develop content aligned with CMS plain-language, branding, and accessibility standards as maintained in the Communications Toolkit in Confluence.
• Help onboard and mentor junior communications specialists on training and informational content development.

Knowledge Management and Distribution

• Maintain communications-related and supporting reference content in Confluence, the QualityNet website, and other knowledge repositories to provide guidance, reference materials, and training content for internal and public-facing use.
• Manage and maintain enterprise email listservs, distribution lists, and Slack channels to ensure accurate targeting, access control, and minimization of misdirected or unauthorized communications.
• Apply process improvements and automation (e.g., UiPath) to streamline the creation and management of listservs, distribution lists, and Slack channels.
• Submit content management requests through QualityNet ServiceNow as applicable.
• Guide knowledge article creation and manage communications-related Confluence repositories to ensure accuracy, currency, and usability.
• Branding, Visual Communications, and Executive Materials
• Develop branding assets and visual materials, including logos, templates, and style elements, in alignment with CMS branding standards.
• Produce executive briefings, presentations, and stakeholder engagement materials for CCSQ leadership and program offices.
• Design graphics, infographics, and multimedia content using tools such as Adobe Creative Cloud and Canva for Teams.
• Lead the development and quality review of written and visual content across the communications team, ensuring alignment with program messaging and enterprise branding standards.

Accessibility and Standards Compliance

• Ensure all communications products, including end-user notifications, web content, surveys, training materials, and multimedia assets, comply with Section 508 and WCAG accessibility standards prior to release.
• Apply universal design principles throughout content development to ensure materials are usable by individuals with disabilities.

Ad-Hoc Communications Support

• Provide timely communications development and distribution support for emerging, unplanned, or time-sensitive needs including executive briefings, governance materials, user notifications, and internal stakeholder engagement content.
• Support CCSQ leadership, CCSQ OD, and program offices with tailored communications outside planned schedules while maintaining alignment with enterprise standards.

What do you need to succeed in this role?

• Bachelor's degree (BA/BS)
• Demonstrated experience working directly with U.S. federal government clients or supporting federal contracts in a client-facing or delivery role.
• 3+ years of experience supporting program coordination, reporting, or analysis
• Experience maintaining trackers, documentation, and program artifacts
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Experience with collaboration tools such as Confluence, Jira, and Microsoft Teams

Knowledge in the following areas preferred:

• Prior experience supporting CMS/CCSQ programs or similar federal health IT environments.
• Familiarity with SAFe Agile framework and PI Planning support.
• Experience supporting risk management processes (e.g., RIMP, ROAM).
• Experience developing dashboards or reporting tools.
• Experience supporting portfolio-level coordination and governance.

In compliance with this state’s pay transparency laws, the base compensation range(25%-50%-75%)for this role is $55,000- $60,000- $65,000. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on several factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. Compensation ranges for roles in our Government Services pillar are determined by contract with the specific government agency Sikich is servicing.

In addition, specific skills/experience required are as follows:

• ServantLeader– You are hyper focused on engaging employees, fostering their development, and building a positive culture.
• SolutionsFocused– You see opportunities in every business problem and can develop, articulate, and implement solutions.
• Collaboration– You are a relationship builder across all levels of the organization and across all business units.
• InstillsTrust- You do what you say, and you follow through on commitments, you act with integrity, you are consistent and are perceived as credible.
• Impact & Influence Thinking– You gain support for ideas, proposals, and solutions, and get others to act, with or without formal authority, to advance initiatives/objectives.

About Sikich

Sikich offers the public and private sectors a diverse platform of professional services across consulting, technology, and compliance. Highly specialized and hands-on teams deliver integrated solutions rooted in deep industry experience. Our approach is strategically and thoughtfully designed to help our clients, teams and communities accelerate success.

Sikich has approximately 2,000 team members andoperatesacross North America,EMEAandAPAC.

Sikich Total Rewards

Our team members enjoy expansive benefits ranging from competitive compensation and insurance options to wellness programs and a flexible time off policy, to name only a few. Sikich also takes pride in prioritizing team members’ health, total wellbeing and time spent with family, friends and in the pursuit of personal goals, hobbies, and endeavors.

Some examples of our many benefits:

• Sikich maintains a Flexible Time Off (FTO) Policy. We encourage every full-time employee, as your role permits, to utilize paid time off (personal time, mental/physical health care, vacation, sick leave, etc.). Waiting for time off to accrue is common at other companies. At Sikich, you do not have to wait for this benefit to kick in. FTO is activated on your first day with our organization.
• Sikich will also recognize paid holidays during the year and strives to permit employees to have time off the last week of the calendar year when client and project work permits.
• Sikich offers a comprehensive wellness program to engage, challenge and empower team members to take responsibility for their wellbeing. Activities can be tracked through our wellness provider to obtain gift cards and other rewards.

We also offer:

• Flexible work arrangements
• Health, dental, vision, life, and accident/death/disability insurance options
• HSA employer contribution
• Eleven (11) paid holidays annually.
• A robust paid Parental Bonding Leave program covering birth, adoption, and foster children.
• 401(k) with employer contributions
• Tuition reimbursement
• Generous employee referral bonus program
• Client referral bonus program
• Pet insurance
• FORCE –Sikich community volunteer program enabling each team member to use up to four hours of paid time annually to volunteer and make a difference in their localcommunities.

Want to learn more? Visit our Careers websiteorGlassdoor profile.

Sikich is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V

Sikich practices in an alternative practice structure in accordance with the AICPA Professional Code of Conduct and applicable law, regulations, and professional standards. Sikich CPA LLC is a licensed CPA firm that provides audit and attest services to its clients, and Sikich LLC and its subsidiaries provide tax and business advisory services to its clients. Sikich CPA LLC has a contractual arrangement with Sikich LLC under which Sikich LLC supports Sikich CPA LLC’s performance of its professional services. Sikich LLC and its subsidiaries are not licensed CPA firms.

“Sikich” is the brand name under which Sikich CPA LLC and Sikich LLC provide professional services. The entities under the Sikich brand are independently owned and are not liable for the services provided by any other entity providing services under the Sikich brand. The use of the terms “our company”, “we” and “us” and other similar terms denote the alternative practice structure of Sikich CPA LLC and Sikich LLC.