Senior Grant Initiative Manager

Position Supervisor: Assistant Director of Policy

FLSA: Exempt

Location: Arlington, VA / Hybrid

Position Timeline: Temporary through January 2028

APHSA is recruiting new talent! We are seeking an ambitious new hire who is efficient and successful at managing projects that bring people, technology, and community together to advance customer-centered improvements in the delivery of public benefits.

APHSA is an Association representing state and local agencies in the health and human services field. With and through these members, we work to advance solutions that are centered on administering, overseeing, and aligning programs to provide access to food, health care, housing, employment, childcare, community support, and other key building blocks.

Join a team of dedicated professionals who are results-oriented and are impacting systems across the nation! Our team at APHSA needs a person like you who leans forward and feels comfortable engaging with teammates, thought leaders, and partners. We’re looking for an innovative, solution-oriented action taker who will add to our collaborative team environment.

While your main focus will be grant funding and initiatives, we’re also looking for someone who thrives in a team environment. In addition, we need someone comfortable being on multiple cross-functional internal teams to advance the work both internally and externally with kindness, compassion, inclusion, and a can-do spirit.

Your direct supervisor and coach will be the Assistant Director of Policy. Your support will be the entire APHSA organization because we work best when we all work together!

Position Summary

Manage APHSA’s grant portfolio to support members and advance the successful execution of multiple, concurrent, grant-funded initiatives. Serve as the primary point of oversight for H.R.1-related grants focused on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), ensuring timely completion of deliverables, effective cross-functional collaboration, strong stewardship of philanthropic investments, and consistent engagement with funders, partners, and members.

This role operates with a high degree of independence and accountability, providing project management, grant coordination, and operational leadership to ensure alignment across internal teams and high-quality support for members implementing H.R.1-related SNAP work.

Supervisor Responsibilities

• No

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the day-to-day implementation of multiple H.R.1-related grants, including meetings, developing agendas, crossover workgroups, managing follow-ups, and deliverables.
• Oversee the day-to-day compliance with all H.R.1-related grants, including developing work plans, timelines, deliverables, and reporting.
• Serve as a primary liaison to philanthropic funders and external partners, ensuring timely communication, responsiveness, and high-quality grant reporting that reflects APHSA’s impact and value.
• Lead grant reporting processes by working with internal subject matter experts to gather content, data, and documentation needed to meet funder requirements.
• Manage grant compliance, budgets, and milestones, and collaborate with grants, finance, and operations staff to ensure contracts, invoices, and submissions are completed accurately and on time.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration across APHSA departments to align H.R.1-related work and support integrated execution.
• Manage project activities associated with H.R.1 implementation, including scheduling meetings, tracking action items, documenting decisions, and following up to ensure progress and accountability.
• Support APHSA members through coordination of peer learning communities, ongoing calls, convenings, and other engagement opportunities.
• Assist with member-facing activities to ensure alignment with grant objectives and member needs.
• Organize and manage logistics for in-person and virtual events, including travel planning, room coordination, agendas, and on-site or virtual execution support.
• Represent APHSA in external meetings, collaboratives, and partnerships related to H.R.1 implementation.
• Analyze grant progress, member feedback, and implementation trends to identify risks, opportunities, and areas for improvement.
• Develop and maintain clear, professional documentation and communications to support transparency, knowledge sharing, and internal coordination.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Public Administration, Business, Finance, Policy, Human Services, Communications, Nonprofit Management, or related discipline) required; Master’s degree preferred.
• 5–7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in strategy, operations, program management, policy, finance, or a related functional area.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex projects and working across multiple stakeholders and functions.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong strategic thinking, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to translate complex concepts into clear plans, communications, and actionable recommendations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and relevant collaboration, data, and project management platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data, evaluate performance, and apply insights to improve outcomes.
• Demonstrated knowledge of human services policy and programs, such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) regulations, operations, and implementation across state and local systems.
• Excellent written, verbal, and facilitation skills.
• High level of judgment, professionalism, and ability to operate independently.
• Proven ability to influence without authority and build effective partnerships.
• Core Competencies: Strategic planning and execution, cross-functional collaboration, change management and continuous improvement, communication and stakeholder engagement, project and process management, analytical and data-informed decision-making, adaptability and results orientation
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 20%.

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit a resume, cover letter, and salary requirements.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to work in an independent manner from a remote location

This employer participates in E-Verify for employment verification.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position; applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship.

The American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) is a bipartisan national membership association representing state and local health and human services agencies and the subject matter experts that help execute their mission to improve outcomes for people nationwide. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and recognize that building well-being starts with creating a space where our employees are comfortable bringing their authentic, unique selves to work.

Building on our long-standing relationships with health and human services leaders, we focus on generating pragmatic solutions that advance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities.

At APHSA, we value and support the health, well-being, and future of our staff. Our benefit package is designed to improve employee morale, fostering a work environment where staff feel they can thrive and be accomplished. APHSA offers health, dental, and vision insurance. We also offer additional employee benefits and perks like these:

• 3% contribution to 401k or ROTH Plan
• Hybrid work environment
• Additional discretionary holidays are included with 11 paid holidays
• 20 vacation days
• 15 sick/wellness days
• Disability insurance
• Life Insurance
• FSA (health, dependent, commuter)
• Optional employee-paid benefits (legal, pet insurance, critical illness, accident, STD/LTD)