Programs Associate-1

About the position

The Programs Associate is responsible for engaging with businesses and providing tailored support to help them access financial resources, capital investments, and entrepreneurial ecosystem services. This position will assess business needs, offer one-on-one coaching, and advise on financial management and business development. Additionally, the role will oversee the administration and monitoring of federal and state grants, ensuring compliance, tracking performance, and maintaining communication with stakeholders to facilitate collaboration and program success.

Responsibilities

• Engaging with businesses owned by VSB and SEDI
• Working with partners to accept and process referrals
• Determining if a referral is eligible for the program
• Connecting businesses to other resources within the entrepreneur ecosystem
• Completing an initial assessment for businesses
• Providing one-on-one coaching to help business owners prepare for loans and capital investments
• Helping with banking relationships, financial services, and applications for government programs
• Helping businesses identify sources of credit, capital, grants, and other financing
• Advising businesses on financial management
• Helping businesses develop presentations, financial models, and business plans for investors
• Supporting the day-to-day management of awarded federal and state grants, ensuring compliance with program guidelines, budgets, and deadlines
• Monitoring grant deliverables and milestones
• Tracking financial expenditures and program performance
• Assisting in preparing and submitting required federal and state reports
• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date records of all grant-related documentation
• Preparing internal status updates for leadership and external reports for grantors and other stakeholders
• Ensuring compliance with federal and state grant regulations
• Conducting internal audits and risk assessments
• Supporting the coordination of external audits
• Serving as a liaison between internal departments, external partners, and federal/state granting agencies
• Facilitating regular meetings and status updates with program managers and project leads
• Supporting outreach and partnership development activities

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business, Finance, or a related field
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in grant management, including federal and/or state grant administration
• Experience in budgeting, financial reporting, and working with multiple stakeholders, including government agencies
• Working knowledge of federal and state regulations governing grants, including OMB Circulars and federal acquisition regulations
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and departments
• Strong analytical skills to assess program performance and financial compliance
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel for budget tracking and data analysis

Nice-to-haves

• Master’s degree in a relevant area
• Experience working with federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Treasury, Department of Health and Human Services, Economic Development Administration, or National Science Foundation
• Previous experience in state-level grant administration and compliance monitoring
• Familiarity with grant application platforms (e.g., Grants.gov) and financial management software

Benefits

• Full-time employment
• Salary range of $80,000 - $95,000
• Equal Opportunity Employment