Capture Manager

Arizona State University•Tempe, AZ

4d•$80,000 - $98,000

About The Position

The Capture Manager develops and executes capture strategies for priority opportunities aligned with Arizona State University's strategic initiatives, research capabilities, and programmatic strengths. Reporting to the Vice President of Research, the role focuses on Defense, DARPA, Space Force, and commercial space opportunities. It shapes pursuits early, develops win strategies, coordinates cross-ASU teams, and builds external partnerships to improve competitiveness through transition to proposal development. The role collaborates with faculty, researchers, university leaders, the Research Development Office, the Research Engagement Office, and other ASU units. It supports opportunity qualification, early positioning, teaming, proposal readiness, and pursuit execution, and develops processes and metrics to translate portfolio strategy into competitive proposals.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree and five years of experience appropriate to the area of assignment or field, or an equivalent combination of experience and/or training that provides comparable knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Nice To Haves

APMP Capture Certification.
Evidence of a MA/MS or terminal degree.
Three or more years of experience in higher education Research Development.
Three or more years of knowledge and understanding of federal funding agencies and sponsors, including DoD, DARPA, Space Force, NASA, and other defense- or space-related organizations.
Direct organizational experience working across functional units and interfacing with leaders and faculty in varying roles.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and database management.
Ability to independently identify, research, and resolve issues.
Experience using planning and organizational skills to manage complex projects and deadlines.
Effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Negotiation and relationship-building skills.
Ability to multitask and manage competing deadlines.
Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
Cultural intelligence and a track record of working with diverse populations and multicultural contexts.
Knowledge of emerging trends in global higher education and experience engaging thought leaders and experts in crafting new products and programs.

Responsibilities

Lead capture for priority Department of Defense, Space Force, DARPA, and commercial space opportunities, including large and strategic pursuits aligned with ASU capabilities.
Develop pursuit-specific partnerships with industry, defense, space, national laboratory, and academic partners.
Work with other Capture Managers and the Research Development Office to maintain sponsor, competitor, pipeline, and ASU capability intelligence.
Partner with ASU's Research Engagement Office to assess federal funding priorities and strategies, emphasizing early positioning for DoD, DARPA, Space Force, and space-related opportunities.
Mobilize Knowledge Enterprise capabilities in support of ASU's Advanced Capabilities for National Security Initiative, the Instrument and Mission Development Lab, the ASU-led Irregular Warfare Center, and other relevant units.
Counsel and advise ASU leadership on defense, space, federal research, and award strategies.
Create gap, SWOT, competitor, partner, and sponsor analyses to inform and strengthen competitive pursuits.
Shape opportunities early, develop win strategies and themes, and coordinate early actions for complex, large, or high-profile proposals.
Coordinate pre-RFP activities, including requests for information, sources-sought notices, white papers, industry days, and early sponsor engagement.
Develop and support opportunity PWin, go/no-go strategies, and other decision gates to inform pursuit prioritization and resource allocation.
Lead Capture Plan development, engage potential collaborators early, and coordinate proposal team formation.
Maintain knowledge of ASU faculty expertise, departmental strengths, institutional priorities, and sponsor opportunities to support strategic teaming and pursuit development.
Connect faculty across disciplines and align their interests with institutional priorities and sponsor needs to build competitive teams.
Support proposal reviews, quality assurance, and recommendations for improvement, including alignment with win themes, evaluation criteria, and sponsor expectations.
Leverage technology to optimize and increase efficiencies in the pursuit of funding opportunities.
Maintain research capacity documents and data on faculty expertise and interests.
Develop capture workflows and processes that translate enterprise portfolio strategy into competitive pursuit execution.
Support opportunity qualification, early positioning, teaming strategy, and proposal-readiness planning for priority pursuits.
Provide mentoring and training on capture planning, pursuit strategy, and related processes as needed.
Interpret and apply rules, regulations, policies, and procedures set forth by federal funding agencies.
Work with Financial Services and ASU units, including the Office of General Counsel, to identify and execute agreements such as NDAs, MOUs, contracts, and Master Service Agreements.
Assist in developing college and campus strategic initiatives, goals, objectives, research plans, and award outcomes.
Identify top priorities and prioritize workload to meet goals, timelines, and strategic outcomes.
Coordinate with Directors and other key stakeholders to maximize impact and results.
Coordinate or assume other duties or projects as assigned or directed.
Develop and report success metrics, including increased capture of high-value DoD, DARPA, and space opportunities, earlier positioning, stronger industry and government teaming, and conversion of portfolio strategy into competitive pursuits.