Director of Grants & Financial Administration Job Boston area,Massachusetts USA,Finance & Banking

Director Of Grants & Financial Administration

The Director of Grants & Financial Administration is an experienced grants finance professional responsible for project managing the overall financial administration of grants and contracts for the New England Aquarium, including pre- and post-award activities, payments, expenditures, financial reporting, compliance, and closeout. This position also plays an important role in grant-related fundraising efforts, including identifying and supporting grant opportunities, reviewing grant applications and proposals, developing and reviewing grant budgets, managing grant databases and systems, and engaging with funding agencies and other grantors.

The Director of Grants & Financial Administration serves as a proactive and collaborative partner to Development, Program, Finance, Accounting, leadership, Principal Investigators (PIs), and project directors throughout the grant lifecycle. The role provides experienced financial and compliance guidance, anticipates potential issues, supports sound decision-making, and works across teams to develop practical solutions that strengthen grant performance and financial stewardship.

The Director of Grants & Financial Administration will also develop and maintain strong partnerships with local, state, and federal government agencies and other funding organizations, helping to maximize grant and fundraising opportunities, ensure grants and programs operate efficiently and in compliance with applicable requirements, and support the New England Aquarium's overall financial strength and mission.

This is a full-time regular position offering a comprehensive benefits package. The schedule will be Monday-Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm with the option for a hybrid schedule, working some days on-site and some days remotely. Remote days are only available for residents of MA, RI, NH, ME, NY and VT.

Essential Functions

Manage and coordinate the financial administration of grants and contracts throughout the full grant lifecycle, including pre-award, post-award, financial monitoring, reporting, and closeout.

Optimize the grant administration process by coordinating with grant writers and internal partners, managing timelines and deliverables, tracking grant applications, and preparing and monitoring budgets and financial reports.

Manage and support the proposal development process in partnership with the Development Office and other relevant staff, ensuring compliance with New England Aquarium and sponsor policies and managing proposed budgets for appropriate costing, indirect costs, and cost-sharing.

Conduct thorough due diligence on subrecipient budget submissions, ensuring costs are reasonable, supportable, allowable, and compliant with funder and sponsor requirements.

Collaborate closely with the Controller and Associate Director of Accounting on cost share, indirect cost recovery, budget requirements, and other financial considerations during proposal development.

Ensure all internal approvals, certifications, representations, and authorized signatures are obtained prior to proposal submission.

Ensure the timely and accurate submission of proposals.

Negotiate with government funders and other sponsors regarding scope, budget, and grant or contract terms and conditions, in partnership with the manager, PI, Accounting, and other key stakeholders.

Review new grant and contract award documents and subsequent modifications for compliance, financial requirements, and special award conditions.

Produce and maintain grant fact sheets and records, including approved budgets, in the New England Aquarium's financial system, and proactively communicate key financial and award information to PIs, leadership, and relevant grant management staff.

Provide proactive financial oversight of assigned grants, including budget-to-actual monitoring, expenditure review, forecasting, and identification of potential under-spending, over-spending, or other financial concerns.

Advise PIs, project directors, and managers on adherence to grant award terms, conditions, budgets, and government regulations. Provide ongoing grant financial progress reports and proactively identify potential budget, compliance, or reporting concerns.

Partner across departments to resolve grant-related financial and compliance issues, promote shared accountability, and ensure timely communication and follow-through.

Serve as the New England Aquarium's primary interface with government program specialists, contracting…