Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Assistant Director for Federal Grants
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston, Massachusetts, us, 02298
Overview
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking a highly skilled fiscal and compliance leader to serve as the Assistant Director of Federal Grants within the Accounting Office. This key leadership role oversees the Federal Grants Unit, which manages the post-award lifecycle for funding from more than a dozen federal agencies. The Assistant Director will ensure the integrity of DPH’s financial operations by overseeing compliance with federal requirements, processing carryover requests, closing out grants, and addressing payment-related issues. This position offers the opportunity to guide a specialized team, collaborate with bureaus across the Department, and directly contribute to the effective use of federal resources that fund vital public health programs across Massachusetts. This role is suitable for a professional with significant experience navigating federal grant fiscal requirements and compliance systems, including monitoring, reporting, and reconciliation. Familiarity with Massachusetts financial systems such as MMARS (Massachusetts Management Accounting Reporting System) is desired, though the essential qualification is a strong background in federal grant fiscal management. As a member of the Accounting Leadership Team, the Assistant Director will shape business processes in a rapidly evolving regulatory environment, provide expert training and guidance to colleagues, and ensure the Department remains a trusted steward of federal funds. The selected candidate supervises two accounting staff and serves as a central resource for all DPH Bureaus to ensure ongoing compliance with post-award grant requirements. This position combines technical expertise with leadership, offering the challenge of complex fiscal oversight and the opportunity to support public health outcomes across the Commonwealth.
Duties and Responsibilities
Federal Grant Compliance & Oversight Ensure that all federal grant expenditures comply with federal funding requirements and state regulations. Cultivate relationships with DPH bureaus to support fiscal compliance and resolve post-award funding requirements (reporting, amendments, etc). Oversee the processing of carryover requests, grant amendments, and closeout activities. Review and verify transactions in MMARS, FACS (Federal Account Coding System), and federal financial systems to ensure accuracy and compliance. Document and adapt business processes to align with evolving federal rules, regulations and procedures. Review documents for quality and compliance prior to submitting them to the Chief Operating Officer for final approval. Federal Grant Tracking & Reporting Develop and maintain systems to track federal grants, contracts, and private grants to ensure accurate reporting and compliance. Monitor post-award databases to keep requirements, deadlines, and fiscal obligations up to date. Prepare and submit federal financial reports, amendments, and closeout documentation in a timely and accurate manner. Analyze and synthesize financial data to provide leadership with clear, actionable insights. Federal Grant Training & Support Serve as a central resource for DPH bureaus, providing technical guidance on federal fiscal compliance. Develop and update policies, procedures, and standards that guide staff in meeting all federal requirements. Design and deliver training to staff and stakeholders on post-award fiscal compliance activities. Stay current on federal regulations and communicate changes to relevant staff to ensure alignment. Federal Grant Staff Management Provide effective oversight, supervision, support, feedback and delegations of responsibilities to direct reports. Establish systems and processes to improve efficiency and accuracy within the Federal Grants Unit. Contribute to the Accounting Leadership Team, representing the Federal Grants Unit in fiscal planning and decision-making. Provide coaching, feedback, and performance evaluations to promote staff growth and accountability.
Qualifications
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants must have at least five (5) years of full-time or equivalent part-time professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, public administration, or related fields, with at least one (1) year in a project management, supervisory, or managerial capacity. An equivalent combination of required experience and substitutions below may be accepted. Substitutions: I. A certificate in a related field may substitute for one (1) year of experience. II. A Bachelor's degree may substitute for two (2) years of experience. III. A Graduate degree may substitute for three (3) years of experience. IV. A Doctorate degree may substitute for four (4) years of experience. Salary placement is determined by experience and education and aligned with the internal compensation structure. For bargaining unit positions, compensation follows the applicable collective bargaining agreement.
When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you and your family.
Equal Opportunity
/
Affirmative Action
Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by law. We encourage qualified applicants who believe they have the necessary skills to apply.
Official Title : Program Manager VI
Work Location & Details
Primary Location: United States-Massachusetts-Boston-250 Washington Street Job: Accounting and Finance Agency: Department of Public Health Schedule: Full-time Shift: Day Job Posting: Sep 2, 2025 Number of Openings: 1 Salary: 92,644.84 - 142,610.92 Yearly
If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator: Sandra Semedo (Sandra.C.Semedo@mass.gov) Bargaining Unit: M99-Managers (EXE) Confidential: No Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule: Yes
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The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking a highly skilled fiscal and compliance leader to serve as the Assistant Director of Federal Grants within the Accounting Office. This key leadership role oversees the Federal Grants Unit, which manages the post-award lifecycle for funding from more than a dozen federal agencies. The Assistant Director will ensure the integrity of DPH’s financial operations by overseeing compliance with federal requirements, processing carryover requests, closing out grants, and addressing payment-related issues. This position offers the opportunity to guide a specialized team, collaborate with bureaus across the Department, and directly contribute to the effective use of federal resources that fund vital public health programs across Massachusetts. This role is suitable for a professional with significant experience navigating federal grant fiscal requirements and compliance systems, including monitoring, reporting, and reconciliation. Familiarity with Massachusetts financial systems such as MMARS (Massachusetts Management Accounting Reporting System) is desired, though the essential qualification is a strong background in federal grant fiscal management. As a member of the Accounting Leadership Team, the Assistant Director will shape business processes in a rapidly evolving regulatory environment, provide expert training and guidance to colleagues, and ensure the Department remains a trusted steward of federal funds. The selected candidate supervises two accounting staff and serves as a central resource for all DPH Bureaus to ensure ongoing compliance with post-award grant requirements. This position combines technical expertise with leadership, offering the challenge of complex fiscal oversight and the opportunity to support public health outcomes across the Commonwealth.
Duties and Responsibilities
Federal Grant Compliance & Oversight Ensure that all federal grant expenditures comply with federal funding requirements and state regulations. Cultivate relationships with DPH bureaus to support fiscal compliance and resolve post-award funding requirements (reporting, amendments, etc). Oversee the processing of carryover requests, grant amendments, and closeout activities. Review and verify transactions in MMARS, FACS (Federal Account Coding System), and federal financial systems to ensure accuracy and compliance. Document and adapt business processes to align with evolving federal rules, regulations and procedures. Review documents for quality and compliance prior to submitting them to the Chief Operating Officer for final approval. Federal Grant Tracking & Reporting Develop and maintain systems to track federal grants, contracts, and private grants to ensure accurate reporting and compliance. Monitor post-award databases to keep requirements, deadlines, and fiscal obligations up to date. Prepare and submit federal financial reports, amendments, and closeout documentation in a timely and accurate manner. Analyze and synthesize financial data to provide leadership with clear, actionable insights. Federal Grant Training & Support Serve as a central resource for DPH bureaus, providing technical guidance on federal fiscal compliance. Develop and update policies, procedures, and standards that guide staff in meeting all federal requirements. Design and deliver training to staff and stakeholders on post-award fiscal compliance activities. Stay current on federal regulations and communicate changes to relevant staff to ensure alignment. Federal Grant Staff Management Provide effective oversight, supervision, support, feedback and delegations of responsibilities to direct reports. Establish systems and processes to improve efficiency and accuracy within the Federal Grants Unit. Contribute to the Accounting Leadership Team, representing the Federal Grants Unit in fiscal planning and decision-making. Provide coaching, feedback, and performance evaluations to promote staff growth and accountability.
Qualifications
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants must have at least five (5) years of full-time or equivalent part-time professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, public administration, or related fields, with at least one (1) year in a project management, supervisory, or managerial capacity. An equivalent combination of required experience and substitutions below may be accepted. Substitutions: I. A certificate in a related field may substitute for one (1) year of experience. II. A Bachelor's degree may substitute for two (2) years of experience. III. A Graduate degree may substitute for three (3) years of experience. IV. A Doctorate degree may substitute for four (4) years of experience. Salary placement is determined by experience and education and aligned with the internal compensation structure. For bargaining unit positions, compensation follows the applicable collective bargaining agreement.
When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you and your family.
Equal Opportunity
/
Affirmative Action
Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by law. We encourage qualified applicants who believe they have the necessary skills to apply.
Official Title : Program Manager VI
Work Location & Details
Primary Location: United States-Massachusetts-Boston-250 Washington Street Job: Accounting and Finance Agency: Department of Public Health Schedule: Full-time Shift: Day Job Posting: Sep 2, 2025 Number of Openings: 1 Salary: 92,644.84 - 142,610.92 Yearly
If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator: Sandra Semedo (Sandra.C.Semedo@mass.gov) Bargaining Unit: M99-Managers (EXE) Confidential: No Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule: Yes
#J-18808-Ljbffr