At Port Houston we dream big, think big and do big things. For over 100 years, we’ve had the vision and scale to deliver big things that matter to Houston and the region. Our sustainability and success has been built upon attracting, retaining, and developing exceptional people. Are you ready to think about the future…and think big! Enabling our people to unleash their full potential is central to ‘We are READY!’, our vision, mission, and strategic priorities.
Who We Are
Port Houston is the advocate and a strategic leader of the Houston Ship Channel, one of the most powerful economic engines in the state and the country. Port Houston owns and operates the public wharves and terminals along the Houston Ship Channel, including the area’s largest breakbulk facility and two of the most efficient container terminals in the country.
Through our leadership and our work, we help ensure the nation’s busiest waterway stays running to benefit the customers of the public facilities we operate, our surrounding communities and industries, and our region. Port Houston exists to move the world and drive regional prosperity.
The work we do helps build up our local community, supports the economy, bolsters goodwill for the state of Texas, and influences the outlook of the entire region. And this is only the beginning! Our best accomplishments are ahead of us as we expand the Houston Ship Channel and widen its reach to become America’s distribution hub for the next generation.
Who You Are
You are more than the work you do. We want your work at Port Houston to be more than a job – we want it to be a fulfilling experience where you find challenging and rewarding opportunities, respect among colleagues, competitive pay, benefits that protect you and your family, and a high-performance culture that values your contributions and helps you reach your career goals.
Sound like the place for you?
Position Summary
Leads the grants program for Port Houston from opportunity identification through pursuit, capture, execution and compliance. Partners with internal and external constituents to identify and pursue local, state, federal and other grant funds for projects and programs that support the Port Houston strategy, capital plan and development programs. Leads grant proposals and applications, and project manages and reports progress on all grant pursuits, applications, and execution. Coordinates and administers grant contracts. Completes and files grant reports and reimbursements, ensures compliance with all grant requirements, and provides guidance on grant-related matters. Collaborates with various departments including finance and accounting and government affairs to achieve targeted goals. Advises Port senior management on grants strategies and opportunities, related policies, and performs related duties as assigned.
Key Responsibilities/Duties
- Provide insight into current and emerging grant opportunities.
- Lead the pursuit and project manage the pursuit opportunity pipeline.
- Write or assist in writing grant proposals and applications
- Ensure compliance with grant requirements once awarded, including liaising with finance and accounting for proper documentation and tracking of funds
- Responsible for developing and executing the grant strategy for Port Houston
- Partner with internal divisions and departments (e.g., Infrastructure, Safety & Security, Environmental, Finance, IT, others) and external entities, such as Harris County, HGAC, TxDOT, Federal Administrations, etc., to identify and promote viable projects and funding resources
- Develop and maintain positive working relationships with all departments and levels of management, and assist relevant department leads in development of grant opportunities, matching project types and costs to grant requirements, and writing and/or editing grant proposals
- Provide support and guidance in the development of projects
- Research online, monitor and liaise with legislative sources for federal, state, and local grant opportunities, review and evaluate those opportunities for suitability for PHA projects and priorities, and inform project managers of relevant opportunities
- Interpret regulations, policies, and procedures in order to provide advice and guidance to management on a variety of grant determinations;
- Write, edit, and integrate subject matter experts’ knowledge to create accurate, feasible, and competitive grant proposals that are beneficial to the Port
- Analyze the landscape of grant opportunities and related legislation to maximize lead time, optimize pursuits, and generally increase Port Houston competitiveness
- Develop, implement and improve policies and procedures affecting the research, development, submission, and management of grants according to federal, state, and local regulations
- Read and evaluate grant contracts to ensure Port Houston compliance with all grant requirements
- Read and edit sub-recipient agreements to ensure their compliance with all grant requirements
- Establish goals, objectives, and performance standards for the grants function consistent with Port Houston mission and values
- Correspond with granting agencies on grant requirements; establish nuances and expectations of contract compliance
- Communicate with granting agency officers to request contract adjustments and extensions when necessary
- Coordinate with internal staff to ensure implementation and expenditures comply with federal regulations and award contract
- Document compliance with all grant requirements
- Maintain all necessary documentation for each grant for the required time period
- Track grant statistics and pertinent information for all active grants
- Handle closeout of grant contract; provide comprehensive management for all aspects of grant awards; ensure proper fiscal management and forecasting of federal, state, and local grant revenue
- Coordinate financial activities of all grants including budget management, budget revisions, budget closeouts, reporting requirements, approvals, etc.
- Coordinate programmatic activities such as grant revisions, grant extensions, procurement review, property control, environmental reviews/assessments, etc.
- Ensure that sub-grantees are adhering to the award requirements and grant guidelines
- Review and analyze data, prepare reports and correspondence as necessary, including informing stakeholders of unusual or unresolved problems or issues, as well as request changes and obtain such information as necessary for proper documentation of such issues
- Prepare for and coordinate external, internal, and agency grant audits in a timely manner, including notification to appropriate stakeholders
- Assist the Accounting and Financial Reporting department in the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal/State Awards (SEFA/SESA) as needed
- Maintain grant records, including financial records, in accordance with proper record retention regulations
- Act in accordance with Port Houston core values (respect, excellence, accountability, diligence, and you)
- Perform other duties as required.
Education/Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance or Accounting, Public Policy, Planning, Marketing or related major in a public or accredited private academic institution required.
- Master’s degree preferred
- 5-10+ years of progressively responsible related experience including grant development and administration, business development, proposal writing, public agency relationship management, and project / program management required
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Behaviors
- Strategic thinking coupled with superior oral and written communications.
- Professional judgement, political and business acumen, and diplomacy
- Ability to present to executive and public audiences with clear, impactful messaging
- Self-sufficient ability to prepare presentations, written papers and other communication materials with minimal administrative or graphical support or required editing / re-writes
- Knowledge of federal, state, local and other grant sources, opportunities and stakeholder landscapes
- Knowledge of government contract terms and conditions
- Knowledge of accounting and finance basics and grant budget management
- Knowledge of basic grant reporting requirements, grant regulations and administration
- Attention to details and effective organizational skills
- Strong decision-making, problem-solving and analytical skills
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills with all levels of employees, management, and customers
- Tactical critical thinking skills
- Project management skills
- Contract writing skills
- Research skills
Key Competencies Required
- Attention to Detail
- Building Partnerships
- Effective Communication
- Planning & Organizing
- Technical/Professional Knowledge and Skills
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, but due to open office environment noise level may occasionally be high. To apply, please go to porthouston.com/careers. Only applications submitted through the Port Houston Careers website will be acknowledged. Port Houston is an equal opportunity employer and participates in the E-Verify program supervised by the U.S. Government.
Disclaimer
The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this job. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $112,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Houston, TX 77029