Grant Program Specialist

American Dental Association • Chicago, IL

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Grant Program Specialist coordinates, plans, implements, and administers grant-funded public health initiatives that advance evidence-based practices in infection prevention, patient safety, and antibiotic stewardship within dentistry. The role is a central resource for project management, stakeholder engagement, grant compliance, reporting, and operational support, helping ensure program objectives and measurable public health outcomes are achieved.

Working with ADA staff, subject matter experts, consultants, partner organizations, and federal agencies, the specialist manages day-to-day project activities, facilitates cross-functional collaboration, monitors deliverables and performance measures, and supports budget tracking and reporting. The position helps ensure grant-funded programs are implemented effectively, on schedule, and in compliance with federal requirements. This position is grant funded.

The ADA is a purpose-driven nonprofit with more than 350 colleagues in the Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Boston areas. Its headquarters is in Chicago, in a building close to public transportation. The organization offers a hybrid work schedule, with two to three days working from home.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, or experience in lieu of a degree.
• Three years of project or grant administration experience in public health, health administration, healthcare management, business administration, or the nonprofit sector; seven years of experience may substitute for a degree.
• Knowledge of database management and Excel spreadsheets for budgetary management.
• Excellent project management, time management, interpersonal, oral and written communication, proofreading, multitasking, and customer service skills.
• Deadline-driven, with excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work with all levels within the Association and with volunteers.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Forms, SharePoint, Outlook, Teams or virtual meeting tools, and project management software such as Trello.
• Ability to work more than the standard number of hours within a work week if required.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in the dental field.
• Trello experience.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate, plan, implement, and administer grant-funded public health initiatives in dentistry.
• Manage day-to-day project activities and facilitate cross-functional collaboration.
• Engage stakeholders, including ADA staff, subject matter experts, consultants, partner organizations, and federal agencies.
• Monitor project deliverables and performance measures.
• Support budget tracking and reporting requirements.
• Help ensure programs meet objectives, produce measurable public health outcomes, stay on schedule, and comply with federal requirements.
• Travel once per year for conferences, with trips lasting one to three nights.

Benefits

• Hybrid work schedule, with two to three days from home.
• Health insurance.
• Dental reimbursement plan.
• Ample paid time off.
• 401(k).
• Flexible Spending Account.
• Life insurance.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Paid parental leave.
• Pet insurance.
• Student loan refinance.
• Two days off to work at a charity event of the employee’s choice.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level