Capture Manager

Arizona State University; Fulton (AL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

Arizona State University seeks a Research Administration Specialist 3 to collaborate with faculty and researchers on proposal development, management of financial resources, and ensuring compliance with university policies.

Reporting to the Vice President of Research, this role focuses on DoD, DARPA, Space Force, and commercial space opportunities, guiding early pursuit strategies and coordinating cross-ASU teams for competitive proposals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and five (5) years of experience or equivalent combination.
• Experience in proposal development, financial resources management, and compliance with university policies.
• Knowledge of federal funding agencies such as DoD, DARPA, Space Force, and NASA.

Responsibilities

• Lead capture and early pursuit positioning for DoD/Space opportunities.
• Develop win strategies, coordinate cross-ASU teams, and build external partnerships.
• Maintain sponsor and capability intelligence to inform portfolio positioning.
• Advise ASU leadership on defense, space, and award strategies.
• Develop and report metrics for success in high-value opportunities.

Skills

DoD knowledge

DARPA knowledge

Space Force knowledge

Proposal development

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Profile:

Research Administration Specialist 3

Job Family:

Research Administration

Time Type:

Full time

Apply before 11:59 PM Arizona time the day before the posted End Date.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree and five (5) years of experience appropriate to the area of assignment/field; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or training from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.

Job Profile Summary: Responsible for collaborating with faculty and researchers in managing intermediate to complex aspects of proposal development, development of financial resources and programs, and ensuring compliance with university policies.

Position Salary Range:

$80,000 - $98,000 per year; DOE

Job Description:

Under general supervision and reporting to the Vice President of Research, the Capture Manager develops and executes capture strategies for priority opportunities aligned with ASU's strategic initiatives, research capabilities, and programmatic strengths. This role focuses on Defense, DARPA, Space Force, and commercial space opportunities, with responsibility for shaping pursuits early, developing win strategies, coordinating cross-ASU teams, and building external partnerships that improve competitiveness through transition to proposal development.

Essential Duties:

Networking

• 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 for current and emerging opportunities.
• Work in partnership with other Capture Managers and the Research Development Office to maintain sponsor, competitor, pipeline, and ASU capability intelligence that informs defense and space portfolio positioning.
• Work directly with ASU's Research Engagement Office (REO) to assess federal funding priorities and strategies, with emphasis on early positioning for DoD, DARPA, Space Force, and space-related opportunities.
• Mobilize Knowledge Enterprise capabilities in support of activities with ASU’s Advanced Capabilities for National Security Initiative (ACNSI), the Instrument and Mission Development Lab (IMDL), the ASU-led Irregular Warfare Center, and other relevant units around priority pursuits to enhance interdisciplinary competitiveness.
• Counsel and advise ASU leadership regarding defense, space, federal research, and award strategies.

Positioning

• Create gap, SWOT, competitor, partner, and sponsor analyses to inform competitive pursuits and strengthen opportunity positioning.
• Shape opportunities early, develop win strategies and win themes, and coordinate early actions for pursuit activities for complex, large, and/or high-profile proposals.
• Coordinate pre-RFP activities, including requests for information (RFIs), sources sought notices, white papers, industry days, and early sponsor engagement activities.
• 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.

Best Practice

• Leverages technology to optimize and increase efficiencies in the pursuit of funding opportunities.
• Maintains research capacity documents and faculty expertise and interest data.
• Develop capture workflows and processes that convert enterprise portfolio strategy into competitive pursuit execution.
• Supports opportunity qualification, early positioning, teaming strategy, and proposal-readiness planning for priority pursuits.
• As needed, provides mentoring and training on capture planning, pursuit strategy, and related processes.
• Interprets and applies pertinent rules, regulations, policies and procedures set forth by federal funding agencies.
• Works with the Financial Services and various ASU units including the Office of General Counsel to identify and execute various agreements including NDAs, MOUs, contracts, and Master Service Agreements.
• Assists in the development of college and campus strategic initiatives, goals, objectives, research plans and award outcomes.
• Identifies top priorities and prioritizes workload to meet goals, timelines, and strategic outcomes.
• Coordinates with Directors and other key stakeholders to maximize impact and results.
• Coordinates or assumes other duties or projects as assigned or directed.
• Develops and reports metrics for success, 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.

Desired Qualifications:

• 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 different functional units and interfacing with leaders and faculty of varying roles.
• Demonstrated 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.
• Evidence of effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience using negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to multitask and manage competing deadlines.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Demonstrated cultural intelligence and track record of working with diverse populations and multicultural contexts.
• Demonstrated knowledge of emerging trends in global higher education and experience engaging thought leaders and experts in crafting new products and programs.

Working Environment:

ASU is an inclusive enterprise with a wide variety of work and learning modes, locations, and a commitment to sustainability, innovation, and employee work-life balance. We are determined to maintain our position as an employer of choice in a competitive labor market, as such the following options may be offered dependent on department needs:

Flexible work options:

• Alternative work schedulescan include four, 10-hour workdays in a workweek; a nine-day, 80-hour schedule over two workweeks for exempt employees only; and staggered start and stop times.
• Hybrid workis anarrangement where employees spend a minimum of 60% of their regular workweek at their primary ASU work location. Dean or vice president-level approval is required.
• Remote workis an arrangement where the employee spends less than 60% of their regular workweek at a regularly assigned ASU work location. Executive vice president-level approval is required.

Standard Working Environment:

• Climate-controlled office setting subject to extended periods of being in a stationary position.
• Regular use of standard office equipment including but not limited to: computer workstation/laptop (keyboard, monitor, mouse), printer, fax, calculator, copier, telephone, and associated computer/technology peripherals.

Department Statement:

Each year since 2016, ASU has been named the most innovative school in the nation, recognizing the university's culture of groundbreaking research and partnerships, and the commitment to helping students thrive in college and beyond. U.S. News and World Report has named ASU as the most innovative university all twelve years the category has existed. ASU Knowledge Enterprise advances research, innovation, strategic partnerships, entrepreneurship, and international development. Our success arises from solutions-focused, interdisciplinary research; an entrepreneurial approach that is embedded in every school and department; and a commitment to transform society in a positive way. To learn more about how Knowledge Enterprise is a place for your career to grow, visit https://research.asu.edu/about-us/careers. At the Office of VP for Research Development, we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply anyway. We value your unique background and perspective, and you may be just the right candidate for this position or other roles on our team. Working at ASU has additional perks and outstanding benefits, which include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; 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; and more. To estimate the value of your total compensation, please visit https://cfo.asu.edu/compensation-estimator.

Driving Requirement:

Driving is not required for this position.

Location:

Campus: Tempe

Funding:

No Federal Funding

ASU Statement:

Arizona State University is a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. ASU serves more than 100,000 students in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, the nation's fifth largest city. ASU champions inclusive excellence, and welcomes students from all fifty states and more than one hundred nations across the globe.

ASU is a tobacco-free university. For details visit https://wellness.asu.edu/explore-wellness/body/alcohol-and-drugs/tobacco

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

Notice of Availability of the ASU Annual Security and Fire Safety Report:

In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf. You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.

Relocation Assistance - For information about schools, housing child resources, neighborhoods, hospitals, community events, and taxes, visit https://cfo.asu.edu/az-resources.

ASU’s comprehensive benefits package is a key part of your total compensation. Visit the ASUCompensation Estimator

Employment Verification Statement:

ASU conducts pre-employment screening which may include verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications.

Background Check Statement:

ASU conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the background check.

Fingerprint Check Statement:

A fingerprint check is not required for this position.