Assistant Director, Proposal Development

Harvard University; Massachusetts; Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement plans

Professional development opportunities

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Harvard University is seeking an Assistant Director for Proposal Development within its Office for Sponsored Programs to lead a proposal development team and manage all aspects of the pre-award process across the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

This role involves strategic leadership, project management, and liaising with senior leadership to resolve policy issues. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in research administration and supervisory roles, working collaboratively across diverse teams.

Join us in supporting Harvard's mission while enjoying competitive benefits, including medical coverage and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years relevant work experience.
• Advanced knowledge of sponsored research regulations.
• Supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the proposal development team within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
• Manage the pre-award lifecycle from concept development to submission.
• Represent FAS in central office discussions and collaborations.
• Develop proposal development policies and tools.
• Ensure timely and accurate submissions for high-risk proposals.

Skills

Leadership skills

Staff management

Analytical skills

Research administration knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Business systems

Job description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world‑changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Financial Administration (FAD) is dedicated to advancing Harvard University’s teaching and research mission by stewarding its resources; providing support, guidance, and consultation; ensuring compliance with university and federal guidelines; mitigating risk; pursuing operational excellence; and promoting the financial health of the University.

More about FAD

Within and across the University, we aim to be exemplary colleagues, trusted partners, valued advisors, and agents of positive change. Within our own community, we aspire to:

• Engage with respect, honesty, and integrity
• Cultivate equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging
• Welcome innovation, collaboration, and flexibility
• Enjoy our work, grow professionally, and aim for the extraordinary

Learn more about Financial Administration (harvard.edu) and our eight reporting units. (https://finance.harvard.edu/)

The Office for Sponsored Programs is a department within Harvard University’s Financial Administration (FAD) that is focused on providing high‑quality administrative and financial assistance to faculty and other University affiliates performing sponsored research. OSP works with researchers and schools across Harvard to help obtain and negotiate awards from sponsoring agencies, assist with grant proposal preparation, ensure compliance with federal regulations and University policies, provide financial support including financial reporting and billing and collection services, assist with audits, and promote knowledge of sponsored research administration throughout the University research community through training and other educational programs.

The Assistant Director, Proposal Development oversees three managers, each leading a team of proposal development staff, and reports to the Senior Director of Pre‑Award in OSP. The Assistant Director leads school‑ and department‑level pre‑award efforts across the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS), setting standards, priorities, and expectations for proposal development and Just‑in‑Time (JIT). In partnership with the Senior Director, the Assistant Director provides leadership, builds community, and evaluates, designs, and refines team structure, workflows, business processes, and resource allocation across the school‑ and department‑level pre‑award lifecycle.

Job‑Specific Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and supervision for an OSP‑based proposal development team embedded in FAS, including developing long‑term strategy and business objectives, workload planning, assignment of complex proposals, performance management, and staff development to deliver consistent, high quality proposal development and pre‑award support. Serve as a recognized subject matter expert and thought leader in research administration.
• Oversee the full pre‑award lifecycle for the team’s portfolio, from concept development through final submission and sponsor‑required pre‑award actions including JIT, setting standards, timelines, and review processes that ensure compliance with sponsor, school, and University requirements.
• Serve as primary central office liaison to FAS research administration leadership and central partners (e.g., OSP, OVPR, OGC, OTD), resolving escalated policy and risk issues and aligning proposal and pre‑award strategies with institutional research priorities. Represent the school / department / university to senior FAS leadership and external groups and collaborate with management and university partners to develop initiatives and processes.
• Develop, implement, and refine proposal development policies, templates, tools, and metrics; analyze proposal volume, turnaround times, pre‑award activity, and success rates to identify gaps and drive process improvements, training, and resource allocation decisions.
• Direct and coordinate the team’s management of pre‑award operations, actions and other time sensitive sponsor requests for complex or high risk proposals, ensuring consistent interpretation of requirements, rigorous quality control, and timely, accurate submissions across supported departments.
• Develop and steward partnerships among faculty, funding agencies, collaborating institutions, and FAS offices and represent OSP and FAS.

Basic Qualifications

Basic Qualifications are the minimum threshold a candidate must meet in order to be considered for this role.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 8 years’ relevant work experienceAdvanced knowledge of sponsored research regulationsSupervisory experience

For consideration, please include a cover letter.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

The following qualifications are strongly preferred. If you meet some, but not all, you are still encouraged to apply; we value employees with a willingness to learn.

• A minimum of 5 years of supervisory experience preferred.
• Strong management skills, including staff and performance management.
• Demonstrated leadership ability, including the ability to build consensus.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to resolve problems with diplomacy.
• Experience with business systems and process design.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams at all levels.
• Please provide a cover letter and resume as one document with your application.

Why join Harvard University Central Administration?

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high‑quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

Working Conditions

Onsite work is performed in an office setting.

Standard Hours/Schedule

35 hours per week. Primarily remote role with flexibility to work on‑site and optional in‑person meetings bi‑monthly. On‑site attendance expectations may evolve based on business needs.

Visa Sponsorship Information

Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Pre‑Employment Screening

Identity, Education

Other Information

This position has a 90‑day orientation and review period.

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non‑Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard‑designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 059. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

EEO/Non‑Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non‑discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non‑discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non‑discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.