Christian M. Jones

Strategy & Operations Leader | Grants | Governance | Human-Centered Innovation

At a Glance

Strategic leader and design thinker with a knack for turning big ideas into practical solutions. Over the past 15+ years, I’ve managed multi-billion-dollar programs, led a soft launch of a design lab to modernize services for 180+ offices worldwide, and helped guide a 6,800-member national association. Certified in Project Management (CAPM) and Human-Centered Design, I focus on creating changes that last — and work for the people they’re meant to serve.

  • Strategic Leadership

    Directed operations and cross-functional teams to deliver $12B+ in funding oversight, operational reforms, and measurable organizational improvements.

  • Grants & Compliance

    Managed complex federal and state grant portfolios with unlimited signing authority, ensuring compliance, accountability, and alignment with strategic goals.

  • Innovation & Design Thinking

    Established and scaled a human-centered design lab, delivering measurable ROI through service improvements and increased user adoption across 180+ global offices.

  • Cross-Sector Engagement

    Built partnerships and led governance efforts across federal, local government, nonprofit, and academic sectors to achieve shared goals.

  • Directed oversight of diverse grant portfolios with unlimited signing authority, implementing accountability frameworks that safeguarded $85M+ in program funding and reduced audit findings by 30%.

  • Managed enterprise-scale financial and operational reforms, streamlining decision-making for programs valued at over $12B across multiple sectorsLed enterprise-scale financial and operational reforms, delivering $12B+ in funding oversight and streamlining decision-making for programs across multiple sectors.

  • Facilitated high-level collaboration between policymakers, practitioners, and innovators to co-create service improvements adopted across 180+ global offices.

Selected Experience & Roles

  • Lead the Diplomatic Innovation Division, scaling enterprise adoption of modern tools and practices. Direct the Virtual Student Federal Service program (1,000+ interns annually) and oversee the Department’s Human-Centered Design Lab (soft launch) to modernize services for 180+ global offices. Led a cross-functional team that built the “AI Innovators” community, growing it to 8,000+ members in one year.

  • Provide strategic leadership for a 6,800+ member national association. Chair governance, ethics, and compensation committees, advancing policy programming and professional development. Supported 60% membership growth in three years and improved board operations to sustain expansion.

  • Managed policy and compliance for $12B+ in federal assistance. Served as Key Management Single Audit Liaison and coordinated modernization of financial reporting and payment systems across government agencies. Delivered technical training domestically and in Asia to strengthen financial management capacity.

  • Managed complex domestic and international foreign assistance portfolios in democracy, health, and rights. Held unlimited signing authority; obligated $350M+ in FY2021. Delivered grants compliance training and conducted site reviews to resolve audit findings and improve recipient performance.

  • Directed fiscal management for a $1B agreement and disaster recovery grants across multiple states. Established a closeout working group that increased closeout rates by 45%. Led pre- and post-award training during large-scale disaster response.

  • ed the Global Health Services Branch within CDC’s Office of Financial Resources, overseeing a $1B+ domestic and international grant portfolio in support of global public health programs, including PEPFAR. Directed a team of Grants Management Officers and Specialists, ensuring compliance, fiscal accountability, and timely award administration. Represented CDC in the HHS “Reinvent Grants” initiative to improve cross-agency grants management systems. Key results: Awarded 181 actions totaling $100M within 30 days; achieved 100% closeout of canceling-year funds; conducted financial reviews and training for 125+ officials and grantees in Zambia.

Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP) – Project Manager Institute (PMI) ,In Progress, Expected 2025

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) – Project Manager Institute (PMI) , 2025         
                                      
Human-Centered Design Practitioner – Luma Institute, 2024

Federal Acquisition Certification for Contracting Officer’s Representatives (FAC-COR I) , 2023             

 Education

Secretary’s Leadership Seminar – Harvard Business School | Executive Education ,  Boston, MA

Master of Science in Management – Troy University | Albany, GA

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science – Albany State University | Albany, GA

 Affiliations

Project Management Institute – Member, 2025                              

National Grants Management Association – Board Member, 2019

Let’s Connect

Open to new roles, projects, and connections — always learning, growing, and looking for ways to make an impact.