Assistant Director for Federal Grants

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking an Assistant Director for Federal Grants to play an essential role in advancing public health through the effective stewardship of over 100 federal grants and contracts. This position offers the opportunity to lead a high-impact team responsible for ensuring fiscal accountability and post-award compliance across the agency, directly supporting the Department’s mission to promote health equity and wellness for all residents of the Commonwealth. Reporting to the Accounting Director, the Assistant Director will work cross-functionally with internal stakeholders and federal agencies to ensure that grant funding is tracked, reported, and managed in accordance with all regulatory and policy requirements.

This is a dynamic leadership role for a collaborative and strategic professional who thrives in a fast-paced, detail-driven environment. As the central resource for bureau-level grant administration teams, the Assistant Director will influence policy development, streamline reporting and amendment processes, and provide training and guidance to fiscal staff across the agency. With oversight of over 260 grant subaccounts and a key voice in infrastructure development, this position offers a unique opportunity to shape the systems that support DPH’s critical health initiatives statewide.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and are not all inclusive):

• Oversee all post-award fiscal activities for federal grants and contracts, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and departmental policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Coordinate the preparation, review, and timely submission of all required federal financial reports, amendments, carryover requests, no-cost extensions, and close-out documentation.
• Serve as the primary liaison for Bureau-level federal grant managers, Administration & Finance (A&F) Directors, Principal Investigators, and fiscal teams to support grant compliance and reporting accuracy.
• Develop and implement standardized processes, workflows, and tracking systems for grant management, including a post-award database and infrastructure for effective oversight.
• Provide expert guidance, training, and technical support to department staff on post-award grant compliance, system navigation, and issue resolution.
• Maintain access and ensure the proper use of federal grant reporting platforms such as PMS, Grant Solutions, eRA Commons, and Electronic Handbook.
• Evaluate and streamline internal systems and procedures to improve operational efficiency and compliance in federal grant management.
• Supervise and support the Federal Grants Unit team, managing performance, prioritizing tasks, and fostering a collaborative, high-performing work environment.
• Coordinate the setup and tracking of federal funding in the Massachusetts Accounting and Reporting System (MMARS), including oversight of Interdepartmental Service Agreements (ISAs).
• Develop, maintain, and update the Grants Management Handbook, including standard operating procedures, policies, and training resources related to post-award grant activities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with expertise in maintaining accurate records and managing the full lifecycle of multiple complex grants.
• Extensive knowledge of federal and state grant regulations, public administration, and budgeting processes, particularly within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.