Proposal Manager

University of North Texas System•Denton, TX

15d

About The Position

The Proposal Manager oversees the full life cycle of proposal development for the Advanced Environmental Research Institute (AERI) within UNT’s Division of Research & Innovation. The role manages proposal development from pre-proposal planning through preparation of a final proposal ready for submission, along with related support processes, to help ensure compelling, compliant, on-time submissions for solicitations ranging from short-term task orders to large, multi-million-dollar research projects. The position supports interdisciplinary research by developing familiarity with the scholarship represented within AERI and identifying relevant external funding opportunities, including federal grants, local foundations, and industry partnerships. The Proposal Manager plans and manages competitive proposals, writes, reviews, and edits proposal content as needed, and serves as the point of contact for proposal activities and communications in the assigned area. The role works on broad assignments aligned with the Institute’s strategic research initiatives and uses creativity, originality, and storytelling to help resolve complex problems and issues. AERI is an Institute of Research Excellence at the University of North Texas that advances interdisciplinary research addressing environmental challenges at local, regional, national, and global scales. Its work focuses on environmental health, sustainability, and environmental justice, and it provides students with mentored research and professional development opportunities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field and two years of progressively responsible experience in proposal submission activities for private, local, state, or federal grants or contracts, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Ability to communicate with varied constituents, including faculty, staff, and community partners, using appropriate styles, approaches, skills, and techniques.
Strong proposal writing experience and excellent verbal and written communication skills, including writing original content and editing.
Ability to identify key components of a request for proposal and use them to develop tools that ensure compliance for each proposal effort.
Ability to maintain clear, consistent, timely, and effective communication with proposal stakeholders.
Proven track record managing proposal efforts ranging from small to large and complex.
Some evenings and weekends may be required to meet deadlines.
Applicants must submit at least two professional references as part of the application.

Nice To Haves

Work experience in higher education developing sponsored research grant proposals.

Responsibilities

Assist Principal Investigators with grant management and timely submissions, including scheduling kickoff and planning meetings, providing checklists, coordinating team members, and serving as a point of contact for internal and external portals.
Serve as a liaison to Grants & Contracts Administration as required.
Assist Principal Investigators in developing quality proposal submissions.
Connect faculty to on-campus resources and data, liaise between campus offices, and create and provide relevant templates.
Coordinate and provide resources to support visual graphics and illustrations for proposals.
Develop and maintain proposal metrics and strategies for assigned areas.
Prospect for funding opportunities, understand and communicate the funding landscape, and partner with University leadership to increase and prioritize specific external funding.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of UNT policies and procedures, as well as sponsor, state, and federal regulations governing external funding proposals.
Maintain NORDP membership and pursue professional development to engage in research development best practices and provide effective proposal development services to faculty.
Connect faculty to on-campus research support resources and data, including education, training, and workshops, and champion new faculty investigators.
Liaise between campus offices and create a repository of resources for the assigned area.
Plan, schedule, and manage competitive proposals; write, review, and edit proposal content as required; and serve as the point of contact for proposal activities and communications in the assigned area.