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 is a key leadership role overseeing the Federal Grants Unit, which manages the post-award lifecycle for funding from more than a dozen federal agencies. The Assistant Director will play a critical role in ensuring 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, although the most essential qualification is a strong background in federal grant fiscal management. As a member of the Accounting Leadership Team, the Assistant Director will have the opportunity to 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 the work of two (2) 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 both the challenge of complex fiscal oversight and the reward of supporting public health outcomes that directly impact communities across the Commonwealth. /Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):/ 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. /Preferred Qualifications:/ Extensive knowledge of state and federal grant regulations, policies, and practices, with experience in fiscal management, compliance, and reporting. Demonstrated experience fulfilling federal grant reporting requirements, including the preparation of financial reports, amendments, and closeout documentation. Familiarity with the Massachusetts Management Accounting and Reporting System (MMARS) or comparable large-scale financial systems. Strong leadership and supervisory skills, with experience guiding and developing staff while managing workload priorities. Exceptional organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate diplomatically across multiple levels of management and external partners. Proven ability to analyze and interpret complex financial data, synthesize findings into clear recommendations, and identify potential compliance risks proactively. Skilled in developing, documenting, and improving business processes to increase efficiency and ensure compliance with evolving federal requirements. Strong recordkeeping practices with the ability to manage the full lifecycle of grants, ensuring accuracy, accountability, and audit readiness. Demonstrated ability to prioritize, delegate, and align projects with organizational objectives while maintaining attention to detail. Capacity to train and mentor others on grant compliance strategies, policies, and financial procedures. Ability to form and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, subordinates, community agencies, and state and federal partners to advance shared goals. Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, OneDrive, Planner) and other financial software tools; ability to design or adapt tools to assist in managing grant obligations. /DPH Mission and Vision:/ The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to promote and protect health and wellness and prevent injury and illness for all people, prioritizing racial equity in health by improving equitable access to quality public health and health care services and partnering with communities most impacted by health inequities and structural racism. We envision a Commonwealth with an equitable and just public health system that supports optimal well-being for all people in Massachusetts, centering those with systemically and culturally oppressed identities and circumstances. Learn more: DPH at a Glance PDF |Doc Pre-Hire Process: A tax & background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Human Resources Division prior to the candidate being hired. Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines. Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website. If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the ADA Reasonable Accommodation Request Form For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #4 MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least one (1) year must have been in a project management, supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below. Substitutions: I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience. II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience. III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience. IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience. Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate's years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range. Comprehensive Benefits 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, your loved ones, and your future. Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards! An 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 appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role. Job: Accounting and FinanceOrganization: Department of Public Health Title: Assistant Director for Federal Grants Location: Massachusetts-Boston-250 Washington Street Requisition ID: 25000691
