Capture Manager

Arizona State University • Tempe, AZ

6d

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. The manager shapes pursuits early, develops win strategies, coordinates cross-university teams, and builds external partnerships to improve competitiveness through transition to proposal development.

The position collaborates with faculty, researchers, the Research Development Office, the Research Engagement Office, university leadership, and other ASU units to identify and pursue funding opportunities. It supports opportunity qualification, early positioning, teaming, proposal readiness, and strategic pursuit execution, while applying relevant federal funding rules and university policies.

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 demonstrating comparable knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Nice To Haves

• APMP Capture Certification.
• A master's degree 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.
• 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.
• Planning and organizational skills for managing 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 to craft 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.
• Work with the Research Engagement Office to assess federal funding priorities and strategies, especially for DoD, DARPA, Space Force, and space-related opportunities.
• Mobilize Knowledge Enterprise capabilities, including those of ACNSI, IMDL, the ASU-led Irregular Warfare Center, and other relevant units, in support of priority pursuits.
• Counsel and advise ASU leadership on defense, space, federal research, and award strategies.
• Create gap, SWOT, competitor, partner, and sponsor analyses to inform competitive pursuits and strengthen opportunity positioning.
• Shape opportunities early; develop win strategies and themes; and coordinate early pursuit actions for complex, large, or high-profile proposals.
• Coordinate pre-RFP activities, including RFIs, sources-sought notices, white papers, industry days, and early sponsor engagement.
• Develop and support PWin, go/no-go strategies, and other decision gates to guide 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 and quality assurance, recommending improvements based on win themes, evaluation criteria, and sponsor expectations.
• Use technology to optimize and increase efficiency in pursuing funding opportunities.
• Maintain research capacity documents and faculty expertise and interest data.
• Develop capture workflows and processes that convert 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 established by federal funding agencies.
• Work with Financial Services and ASU units, including the Office of General Counsel, to identify and execute NDAs, MOUs, contracts, and Master Service Agreements.
• Assist in developing college and campus strategic initiatives, goals, objectives, research plans, and award outcomes.
• Prioritize workload and coordinate with directors and other stakeholders to meet goals, timelines, and strategic outcomes.
• 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.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance and disability programs
• Sick leave and holidays
• ASU/UA/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members
• State and optional retirement plans
• Access to ASU recreation and cultural activities
• Flexible work options may be offered depending on department needs, including alternative schedules, hybrid work, or remote work, subject to approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior