Manager, Proposal Development

Harvard Central Administration (CADM) Talent Acquisition; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Tuition assistance and reimbursement

Retirement plans

Job summary

Harvard University’s Office for Sponsored Programs is seeking a senior leader to guide a central-office proposal development team within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, ensuring compliant, high-quality pre-award support across departments.

You will oversee end-to-end lifecycle, work with PIs and central units, implement policies and metrics, and manage JIT requests, delivering timely, accurate submissions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.
• Minimum of 7 years’ relevant work experience.
• Advanced knowledge of sponsored research regulations.
• Supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and supervision for a central-office based proposal development team embedded within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, including workload planning and professional development.
• Oversee the full pre-award proposal development lifecycle from opportunity identification through final submission and JIT.
• Serve as the primary central-office liaison to Divisionals and Departmental Leadership, PIs, and central units, resolving policy and risk issues.
• Develop, implement, and refine proposal development policies, templates, tools, and metrics; analyze volume, turnaround times and success rates.
• Direct and coordinate the team’s management of JIT actions and time-sensitive sponsor requests for complex proposals.
• Directly engage in proposal development and JIT work for a portfolio of departments.

Skills

Proposal development

Leadership

Stakeholder management

JIT coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

7+ years relevant experience

Job description

Company 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/)

Job Description

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.

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Proposal Development, this position leads one of three FAS Proposal Development Teams and manages a team consisting of three to five members. This position provides expert proposal development and Just In Time support and guidance, strategy, and process development. This role also works effectively with all stakeholders to resolve complex research administration issues.

Job-Specific Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and supervision for a central-office based proposal development team (junior and senior staff) embedded within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, including workload planning, assignment of complex proposals, performance management, and professional development to ensure consistent, high-quality pre-award support across departments.
• Oversee the full pre-award proposal development lifecycle for the portfolio supported by the team, from opportunity identification and concept development through final submission and Just In Time (JIT), establishing standards, timelines, and review processes that ensure compliance with sponsor and institutional requirements.
• Serve as the primary central-office liaison to Divisionals and Departmental Leadership, PIs, and other central units (Office for Sponsored Programs (OSP), compliance, finance, and legal), resolving escalated policy and risk issues, and supporting the aligning of departmental proposal strategies with institutional research priorities.
• Develop, implement, and continuously refine proposal development policies, templates, tools, and metrics; analyze proposal volume, turnaround times, and success rates to identify gaps and drive process improvements, training initiatives, and resource allocation decisions.
• Direct and coordinate the team’s management of JIT actions and other time-sensitive sponsor requests for complex and high-risk proposals, ensuring consistent interpretation of requirements, rigorous quality control, and timely, accurate submissions across all supported department.
• Directly engage in proposal development and JIT related work for a portfolio of departments.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 7 years’ relevant work experience
• Advanced knowledge of sponsored research regulations
• Supervisory experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Demonstrates advanced, specialized expertise with both depth and breadth in the field. Leads comprehensive operational activities and serves as a primary resource within the department or school. May also assume supervisory responsibilities.
• Apply broad and specialized knowledge to develop and refine practices, processes, and metrics. Serve as a subject matter expert or project lead.
• Lead large and complex projects, often crossing functional boundaries; develop solutions to complex challenges and advise on policy development and implementation. Responsible for advanced analysis and oversight of major initiatives
• Develop methodologies for others, consult with senior management on project objectives, mentor colleagues, and deliver advanced research solutions. Recommend policy and process improvements
• Facilitates broad, cross-functional dialogue on complex, sensitive, or high-impact issues; collaborates with stakeholders to drive matters to resolution; and provides expert guidance on the development of strategic plans and implementation approaches.

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 058. 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.