Director, Office of Federal Grants- Atlanta

Job Title:
Director, Office of Federal Grants- Atlanta
Agency:

Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

Job Requisition ID:

Shift:
Not Applicable (United States of America)
Compensation Details:
BASED ON EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Job Description:

Job Title: Director, Office of Federal Grants- Atlanta

Workplace: Atlanta, Ga.

Hybrid- minimum 3 days per week in office

Travel: As needed for events and training

Job Summary:

Under direct supervision of the Senior Director, Office of Federal Grant Programs and Suicide Prevention, the Director, Office of Federal Grants, will lead and manage a dynamic team responsible for the functions of the Grants Management Team listed below. The Director, Office of Federal Grants, will supervise the team assembled to manage grants from start to close-out and provide associated Senior Directors critical fiscal information to inform programming, fiscal insight/planning, maximization of the grant, and compliance with fiscal grant requirements- such as set-asides, MOE, grant application tables.

The person in this position should possess exceptional leadership, communication, organizational, and analytical skills, as they serve as the primary point of contact for all federal grant-related planning, coordination, fiscal management, and compliance activities across the Behavioral Health Division. Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential for effectively collaborating with internal teams, including program staff, Senior Directors, and the Office of Budget and Finance, as well as external partners and federal funding agencies; developing and submitting grant applications and supporting documentation; and preparing clear, accurate financial reports, performance analyses, and presentations for leadership and stakeholders. Primary responsibilities include leading and supervising the Grants Management Team through the full grant lifecycle, from pre-award research and proposal development to post-award administration and closeout, while coordinating program and fiscal activities, monitoring expenditures and compliance with federal regulations (including OMB Uniform Guidance, 2 CFR 200), and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement and maximization of grant resources. Sound judgment, initiative, and resourcefulness are critical to anticipating compliance challenges, resolving fiscal discrepancies, managing competing deadlines, and ensuring timely and accurate grant deliverables that align with both organizational goals and federal requirements.

Position Requirements (Not All Inclusive)

• Report to the Senior Director, Office of Federal Grant Program and Suicide Prevention.
• Coordinate with all Senior Directors within Behavioral Health to provide necessary and required budget and grants management support, documentation, reporting and analysis.
• Coordinate with the Office of Budget and Finance to ensure accounting practices and agency budget are aligned, federal grant functions that occur in their office are monitored and support provided for tasks that require interdependence.
• Draft and manage matrix with how roles and responsibilities of the team work in alignment, functions and cross-walked back to federal reporting requirements and interdependence of budget and finance and other offices.
• Provide supervision to the assembled team.
• Develop of KPIs and other management tools to monitor performance.
  • Pre-Award Duties
  • Funding Research and Identification: Proactively search for and identify federal, state, and private grant opportunities that align with the organization's mission and program needs. Resources for this can be found on sites like Grants.gov.
  • Proposal Development and Writing: Draft compelling grant narratives and proposals, including project descriptions, objectives, and evaluation plans. This requires collaborating with program staff and leadership to gather necessary information and data.
  • Budget Preparation: Work with finance departments and program managers to develop detailed project budgets and financial plans that align with grant requirements.
  • Application Submission: Ensure all grant applications and supporting documents are accurate, complete, and submitted on time through required online portals (e.g., Grants.gov, agency-specific systems).
  • Stakeholder Communication: Serve as a liaison between the organization, potential funders, and internal departments to clarify requirements and provide additional information during the application process.
  • Post-Award Duties
  • Grant Administration and Compliance: Oversee the administrative process of awarded grants to ensure all activities, expenditures, and documentation comply with federal laws (e.g., OMB Circulars), regulations, and the specific terms of the grant agreement.
  • Financial Monitoring and Reporting: Monitor grant accounts, track expenditures, prepare financial statements and invoices for reimbursement, and ensure proper allocation of funds.
  • Performance Monitoring and Reporting: Track the progress of grant-funded projects against stated goals and objectives, preparing and submitting timely performance and progress reports to granting agencies.
  • Documentation and Record-Keeping: Maintain comprehensive and well-organized electronic and paper files of all grant-related correspondence, applications, awards, and reports for auditing purposes.
  • Training and Guidance: Provide guidance and technical assistance to internal staff and program managers on grant-related policies, procedures, and best practices to build organizational capacity.
  • Grant Closeout: Manage the final review and closeout procedures for completed grants, including final financial reconciliations and audits.

• Federal Grants Fiscal Management

• • Track expenditure trends for program purposes and result
  • Conduct reconciliation of all fund sources monthly or as needed
  • Assist in developing strategies to maximize grant dollars
  • Forecast availability based on detailed allocation plan
  • Recommend strategic fiscal alignment to program staff to maximize grants, meet set-aside and other requirements across fund sources and period of availability
  • Manage all grant requirements such as MOE, set asides, one-time funds, FFRs, Carry over and NCE applications
  • Federal applications- MHBG, SUPTRS, SOR, etc that consist of extensive planning and report tables
  • Provide a system of checks and balances
  • Allow the BH Division to have more visibility of all fund sources including state budget

• Financial Management & Monitoring:

• • Establish and maintain detailed financial records for all federal grants.
  • Monitor expenditure and revenues, verifying fund availability and allowable costs.
  • Monitor set-asides, MOEs and other specific grant requirements and provide program analysis and recommendations for maximization and compliance of fiscal requirements across fund sources.
  • Perform account reconciliations and budget analyses to ensure accuracy.
  • Track costs, monitor fund disbursement requests (drawdowns), and manage cash flow.

• Reporting & Compliance:

• • Prepare, review, and submit periodic financial reports to federal agencies.
  • Ensure strict adherence to federal, state, and organizational policies, laws, and grant guidelines.
  • Interpret and apply complex federal regulations to grant activities.
  • Assist with financial audits and provide necessary documentation.

• Budgeting & Planning:

• • Develop, analyze, and maintain grant budgets.
  • Provide financial data and expertise for grant proposals and budget development.
  • Analyze financial data, identify discrepancies, and recommend solutions.

• Communication & Training:

• • Serve as a liaison and resource for program staff on grant financial matters.
  • Communicate reporting deadlines and guidelines to subrecipients and internal teams.
  • Coordinate and align with Office of Budget and Finance.

• Documentation & Systems:

• • Maintain accurate and organized files for all grant-related documents.
  • Utilize accounting software and grant management platforms.

Required Knowledge:

• Federal Regulations & Compliance: Expert-level understanding of federal grant policies, including OMB Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and agency-specific regulations.
• Financial Management: Extensive knowledge of government cost principles, auditing, reporting, and financial tracking.
• Grants Lifecycle: In-depth understanding of the pre-award, award, and post-award processes.
• Technology Systems: Proficiency in federal grant systems (e.g., Grants.gov, SAM.gov, GrantSolutions) and database management.

Required Skills:
• Leadership & Management: Ability to supervise staff, develop team expertise, and manage high-level organizational operations.
• Strategic Planning: Ability to align grant activities with organizational goals and navigate complex compliance environments.
• Communication & Negotiation: Superior verbal and written communication, including public speaking and negotiating terms with funding agencies.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to evaluate risks, analyze complex financial data, and monitor compliance.

Required Abilities

• Policy Implementation: Ability to translate complex regulations into actionable internal procedures.
• Relationship Management: Ability to build partnerships with diverse stakeholders, including program managers and federal officials.
• Multitasking & Deadline Management: Ability to manage multiple projects, competing priorities, and strict timelines.
• Ethical Judgment: Demonstrated capacity for ensuring integrity, confidentiality, and accuracy.

Minimum Educational Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in public administration, Finance, or a related field, along with significant professional experience (often 5+ years) in grants management or administration. Candidates should demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills; excellent time management, organizational, and customer service skills; and the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within teams. Experience in quality improvement processes and program or project administration at the state, regional, or county level is preferred. Education and experience may be substituted for one another.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master's degree in a related field from an accredited college or university OR completion of 90 quarter hours (60 semester hours) at an accredited college or university AND Two years of related experience or position equivalent. Note: An equivalent combination of education and job specific experience that provided the knowledge, experience and competencies required to successfully perform the job at the level listed may be substituted on a year-over-year basis. Proficient in use of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Publisher, Power Point, etc.).

Additional Information:

This position requires prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer, as well as the ability to occasionally lift up to 15 pounds. Frequent travel throughout the state of Georgia is required, including some overnight travel, to attend meetings, trainings, site visits, or conferences related to grant activities. The selected candidate must demonstrate the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet established deadlines, and maintain accurate documentation in accordance with federal, state, and organizational requirements. A high level of professionalism, discretion, and attention to detail is essential, as the role involves handling sensitive programmatic and financial information. The position requires the ability to work collaboratively across divisions and with external partners while exercising independent judgment to support program goals and ensure compliance with grant terms and conditions.

For benefits information, please visit: https://careers.dbhdd.ga.gov/why-dbhdd/

Employment Requirements
To ensure the safety and wellbeing of our employees, individuals and communities we serve, certain positions within DBHDD may require evaluations, vaccinations, professional licensure and certifications. Licenses must be current and enable providers to practice within the State of Georgia.

The following are a listing of evaluations and vaccinations that may be required for employees, including those not involved with direct care:

• Drug Screening
• TB Evaluation
• Annual Influenza*

*Limited exemptions may be made for documented medical contraindications or religious beliefs that object to vaccinations.

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Selected applicants will be contacted by the hiring agency for next steps in the selection process.

This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.