Senior Grants Manager & Policy Specialist

Westwood Professional Services Inc•New Orleans, LA

About The Position

Westwood Professional Services, Inc. is seeking a Senior Grants Manager & Policy Specialist to play a critical role in supporting the development, management, and compliance of federally and state funded programs. This position is responsible for overseeing grant management activities, including the development, interpretation, and implementation of grant policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable regulations such as HUD CDBG-DR, EPA, EDA, DOT, FEMA, and other public funding sources. The Senior Grants Manager & Policy Specialist serves as a subject matter expert on grant administration, compliance monitoring, risk mitigation, and policy development. The role provides strategic guidance and technical assistance to municipal, state, tribal, and nonprofit clients engaged in complex disaster recovery and resilience initiatives, ensuring programs are implemented effectively while maintaining regulatory compliance and sound grant management practices. This role requires a deep understanding of federal grant regulations, including 2 CFR 200, as well as practical experience translating regulatory requirements into operational procedures. The ideal candidate brings strong analytical skills, exceptional communication, and a collaborative mindset to help clients manage funding responsibly and maximize reimbursement.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., public administration, finance, or business management). A master's degree is preferred.
Proven experience in managing federal grants, preferably within a contracting or consulting environment.
In-depth knowledge of federal grant regulations, policies, and procedures, such as the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200).
Experience in managing grants, such as CDBG (DR and/or MIT), FEMA HMGP, FEMA BRIC, and other grants from EPA, EDA, Dept. of Education, HRSA, ARPA, and IIJA, is highly desirable.
Strong financial acumen, with experience in budget development, financial analysis, and reporting.
Understands benefit cost analysis approaches for multiple state and federal agencies.
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple grants and deadlines simultaneously.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with the capacity to anticipate challenges and propose effective solutions.
Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to effectively convey complex information to diverse stakeholders.
Proficient in using grant management software and financial management systems.
Strong ability to work effectively with peers and in a team setting as well as independently.
Working to proficient knowledge of current federal grant application portals.
Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with program evaluation methodologies and performance measurement frameworks is desirable.
Professional certifications are an asset.

Responsibilities

Manage the full lifecycle of federal and state grants, including pre-award planning, funding opportunity research, proposal development, budgeting, award acceptance, and post-award grant management.
Oversee the administration of complex grant-funded programs, ensuring alignment with grant terms, program objectives, and regulatory requirements.
Manage projects and coordinate the production of grant-related deliverables including applications, compliance documentation, reimbursement packages, data analysis, and performance reports.
Assist clients in navigating funding processes with agencies such as HUD, DOT, EPA, FEMA, EDA, and state grant administrators, including reimbursement, documentation, and program implementation requirements.
Conduct research on grant opportunities from federal, state, and non-governmental sources and provide strategic guidance on competitive funding pursuits.
Support or lead proposal development efforts, including narrative preparation, compliance reviews, and coordination of supporting materials such as engineering data, mapping, benefit-cost analyses, and environmental documentation.
Monitor and interpret regulatory changes affecting federal and state grant programs, including updates to OMB Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), Federal notices, and other agency guidance.
Develop, update, and maintain grant policies, procedures, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that align with applicable funding requirements and industry best practices.
Draft policy frameworks and program guidelines that ensure consistent compliance across multiple projects, funding sources, and client organizations.
Support the rollout and implementation of grant policies through written guidance, training sessions, and change management strategies.
Provide interpretation and application of federal and state grant regulations including OMB Uniform Guidance, Federal agency regulations, and other applicable funding program requirements.
Conduct compliance reviews and readiness assessments to ensure grant-funded activities meet regulatory standards related to financial management, procurement, documentation, and reporting.
Support monitoring activities including subrecipient oversight, financial monitoring, procurement compliance, domestic purchasing requirements, and resource recovery processes.
Develop compliance tracking tools, templates, and documentation systems to support audit readiness and funding retention.
Assist clients in addressing monitoring findings, resolving audit issues, and implementing corrective actions where necessary.
Identify potential risks related to grant compliance, financial management, or program implementation and develop strategies to mitigate those risks.
Support the development and implementation of internal controls for grant-funded programs.
Investigate potential policy or compliance issues and assist in the development of corrective action plans.
Contribute to internal quality assurance initiatives to strengthen grant management practices across projects and teams.
Manage general project administration including contracts, risk management, forecasting of project/program staff, level of effort estimating, billing and accounts receivable
Responsible for on-going communications and formal project reviews
Manage team members and sub-consultant performance
Communicate proactively and effectively with clients on their projects and grants
Develop and monitor grant budgets to ensure appropriate allocation and utilization of funds.
Conduct financial analysis, reconcile expenditures, and review project costs to ensure eligibility, allowability, and compliance with grant requirements.
Prepare and review narrative and financial reports for submission to funding agencies.
Maintain comprehensive grant records and documentation to support program oversight, reporting requirements, and audit reviews.
Serve as a trusted advisor to municipal, state, tribal, nonprofit, and institutional clients on grant compliance, funding strategies, eligibility determinations, procurement standards, and cost reasonableness.
Provide strategic guidance to clients on grant implementation challenges and effective problem resolution methodologies.
Design and deliver training sessions, workshops, and reference materials related to grant policies, compliance requirements, and regulatory updates.
Establish and maintain strong client relationships and serve as a primary point of contact for grant-related inquiries and technical assistance.
Collaborate with internal teams including finance, legal, program management, and technical specialists to ensure coordinated grant program delivery.
Mentor junior staff and support knowledge-sharing initiatives to strengthen organizational expertise in grant management and compliance.
Contribute to internal policy development, process improvement, and training initiatives across the firm.
Support business development efforts through proposal development, client engagement, and strategic guidance on resilience, recovery, and infrastructure funding opportunities.
Perform other duties as assigned.