The Grants Development Office supports the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) in securing external funding to sustain and expand public health programs, services, and initiatives serving Boston residents. The Office works across BPHC bureaus and programs to identify federal, state, local, and private funding opportunities; assess their fit within BPHC priorities and capacity; develop competitive grant applications; and coordinate required internal review and submission processes. The Grants Development Director plays the lead role in all external grant and contract funding initiatives at BPHC. The Office works closely with BPHC Bureau and program leadership, Principal Investigators (PIs), Project Directors, Finance and Post-Award Grants Accounting, and other BPHC departments throughout the grant lifecycle. This includes leading proposal and budget development, providing training and technical assistance to staff, award transition, renewals and continuation applications, amendments, progress reports, prior approval requests, and other sponsor requirements.
STRATEGIC GRANT DEVELOPMENT AND FUNDING- Identify and assess federal, state, local, and private funding opportunities that support BPHC programs, services, strategic priorities, and emerging public health needs.
- Advise BPHC executive and program leadership on funding opportunities, grant requirements, competitiveness, organizational capacity, and potential financial or programmatic implications.
- Stay current on changes in federal and state funding priorities, grant policies, regulations, and public health funding trends and communicate relevant developments to BPHC leadership and programs.
- Work with program leadership and other stakeholders to assess community and program needs and determine whether proposed funding opportunities are appropriate for BPHC.
- Lead or facilitate grant go/no-go decisions, considering program fit, staffing and operational capacity, budget requirements, sustainability, partnerships, and application timelines.
- Track and ensure compliance with all external funding applications in development, renewals, and major funding deadlines BPHC-wide.
PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT AND SUBMISSION- Lead the development of complex and high-priority grant applications, including federal, state, local, and private funding proposals.
- Form and coordinate grant proposal development teams within BPHC that include subject matter experts from BPHC bureaus/offices and establish clear timelines, responsibilities, and internal review processes from concept development through final submission.
- Work directly with program staff to develop project approaches, goals and objectives, work plans, evaluation plans, staffing structures, and other required application components.
- Write, edit, and review grant narratives and supporting materials to ensure applications are clear, responsive, competitive, and consistent with funding requirements.
- Collaborate with program staff and Finance/Budget staff to develop grant budgets and budget narratives that support the proposed scope of work while complying with BPHC and funder fiscal requirements.
- Review applications for completeness, responsiveness, required approvals, formatting, and compliance with sponsor instructions before submission.
- Assist with responding to requests for clarification, additional information, or pre-award documentation.
- Ensure applications are submitted accurately and on time through Grants.gov and other federal, state, local, and private grant systems, including supporting grant leadership teams with funding renewals and reapplications.
GRANT POLICIES, REQUIREMENTS, AND COMPLIANCE- Interpret funding announcements, grant regulations, sponsor guidance, and award requirements and provide practical guidance to BPHC leadership and program staff.
- Develop, maintain, and update BPHC policies, procedures, tools, and internal processes related to grant development and submission.
- Provide guidance on federal and state grant requirements, allowable costs, indirect cost limitations, matching or cost-sharing requirements, subawards, contracts, consultants, and other proposal-related requirements in coordination with BPHC Finance.
- Identify potential grant-related financial, operational, or compliance concerns during proposal development and bring significant issues to the appropriate BPHC leadership for resolution.
- Manage and maintain BPHC registrations, user roles, and submission authority in federal, state, and local grant systems and ensure appropriate backup access and continuity.
PROGRAM AND POST-AWARD COORDINATION- Coordinate the transition of newly awarded grants from proposal development to program implementation and post-award grant management.
- Facilitate or support initial grant award meetings to ensure PIs, Project Directors, program staff, Finance/Post-Award Grants Accounting, and other responsible departments understand the approved scope, budget, reporting requirements, restrictions, and key award conditions.
- Work collaboratively with Post-Award Grants Accounting and program teams on grant amendments, continuation and renewal applications, carryover requests, no-cost extensions, prior approval requests, progress reports, and other sponsor actions requiring Grants Development support.
- Provide technical assistance to PIs and Project Directors in interpreting grant terms and conditions, sponsor requirements, and changes that may require funder approval.
- Review multi-year grant commitments and proposed program changes for potential budget, sustainability, or funding implications and advise program and BPHC leadership as appropriate.
STAFF LEADERSHIP AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE- Provide leadership, supervision, and direction to Grants Development Office staff, including setting priorities, assigning work, supporting professional development, and ensuring consistent quality and timely completion of work.
- Provide technical assistance and training to BPHC staff on grant development, proposal planning, grant writing, sponsor requirements, and internal grant processes.
- Develop practical templates, guidance, checklists, and other tools to improve consistency and efficiency in grant development across BPHC.
- Build effective working relationships across BPHC bureaus, programs, and administrative departments to support coordinated grant development and problem solving.
BPHC LEADERSHIP AND ADMINISTRATION- Works to help BPHC advance as an antiracist organization by meeting or exceeding the standards set by the
BPHC Anti-Racism Policy. - Maintain a strategic organization-wide view of upcoming grant opportunities by communicating regularly with BPHC-wide senior leadership.
- Participate in BPHC-wide planning and leadership activities, including serving on the Senior Leadership Team as assigned.
- Provide regular updates to the Executive Office and other BPHC leadership on external funding applications, awards, upcoming opportunities, funding trends, and significant grant-related issues.
- Complete the Grants Development Office annual report and other reports summarizing external funding activity, funding outcomes, and office performance.
- Oversee the Grants Development Office budget, reforecasting, administrative processes, staff timesheet approvals, and other management responsibilities.
- Perform other duties consistent with the responsibilities of the position.
- Knowledge of or willingness to learn about the role of public health in addressing racism, the social
determinants of health, and inequities in health outcomes as well as strategies to advance racial justice and
health equity. - Commitment to health equity and racial/social justice issues.
- Master's or graduate degree in public health, public administration, nonprofit management, business administration, health policy, or a related field.
- Minimum 8 years of progressively responsible experience in grants development, sponsored programs, public-sector or nonprofit funding, or a related field. Option with no graduate degree with over 10 years of grant development experience.
- Experience leading complex grant applications with program teams and partners.
- Demonstrated success as a primary writer, editor, and/or proposal lead for federal, state, local, and private grant applications, with a record of successful funding.
- Strong knowledge of grant development practices and federal grant requirements, including experience interpreting funding announcements, sponsor requirements, budgets, indirect costs, and other application requirements.
- Demonstrated experience working with senior leadership, program staff, fiscal staff, and cross-functional teams to develop and submit complex proposals.
- Strong program design, budgeting, evaluation planning, writing, editing, organizational, and communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple high-priority projects and deadlines and exercise sound judgment in a fast-paced public-sector environment.
- Experience supervising and developing professional staff.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and experience with electronic grant submission systems.
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE- Experience developing grants in public health, healthcare, municipal or state government, or a large nonprofit organization.
- Experience with major federal grant systems and processes, including SAM.gov, Grants.gov, eRA/ASSIST, GrantSolutions, JustGrants, FEMA GO, and similar systems.
- Knowledge of federal Uniform Guidance and its application to grant proposal development and administration.
- Experience coordinating proposals involving multiple BPHC programs, City departments, community-based organizations, healthcare partners, academic institutions, or other public health partners.
