Managing Director, Federal Funding Strategy

McAllister & Quinn; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive 401(k)

Healthcare

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Long-term disability

Dependent care FSA

HSA/FSA

Transit benefits

Job summary

McAllister & Quinn seeks a Managing Director to lead the federal funding strategy and proposal development for technical for-profit clients. You will manage client relationships, serve as a strategic advisor, and oversee the full proposal lifecycle from identifying opportunities to submitting competitive bids across DoD, DoE, NIH, NSF, and other agencies.

You will guide cross‑functional teams, ensure quality, and drive outcomes from SBIR Phase I to large programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (Master’s degree preferred).
• 5+ years of experience in industry R&D, federal funding, consulting, and/or proposal development.
• Strategic thinker with strong project management and proposal leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead end‑to‑end proposal development using cross‑functional teams (SMEs, writers, reviewers).
• Maintain extensive knowledge of federal grant programs and trends; advise clients on positioning and competitiveness.
• Oversee planning and execution of services, including timelines, deliverables, and quality standards.
• Develop white papers, concept papers, and briefing materials.
• Advise on compliance, readiness, and post‑award capacity building.

Skills

Project management

Proposal leadership

Client relationship management

Strategic thinking

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

PMP/APMP certification

Job description

About McAllister & Quinn McAllister & Quinn is a federal research development consulting and government relations firm headquarters in Washington, D.C. We offer our 200+ clients a unique blend of comprehensive grant consulting, strategic advising, and government relations services. Specifically, McAllister & Quinn equips clients with the knowledge and expertise to pursue federal and private foundation funding opportunities that align with their organizational priorities. We support clients’ strategic positioning efforts, help craft competitive applications, develop and expand funding streams through the congressional appropriations process, and facilitate public-private and international partnerships that advance their missions.

Advanced Technology Practice The Advanced Technology Practice helps engineering and technology companies, from startups to Fortune 500s, secure R&D funding to develop, commercialize, and scale innovation. Our work spans multiple state and federal agencies and departments including areas in defense, critical minerals, energy, biotechnology, manufacturing, workforce development, and more.

About the Role

We’re seeking a Managing Director to lead federal funding strategy and proposal development for technical for-profit clients. Reporting to the Vice Presidents of the practice, you will serve as a project manager, client relationship manager, and strategic advisor, helping for-profit companies secure funding for their technological and business goals. You’ll manage the full proposal development lifecycle, from identifying opportunities that align with client and government priorities to submitting competitive proposals across agencies such as DoD (DoW), DOE, DOC, NIH, ARPA-H, NSF, as well as international, state, and private foundation opportunities. This fast-paced and rewarding environment will give you the chance to work across a wide range of opportunities and many technical fields, where each day is never the same. The role combines client leadership, strategic advising, and hands‑on proposal management for funding ranging from SBIR Phase I (less than $250K) to large‑scale programs (greater than $20M).

Responsibilities

Client and Consultant Management

• Serve as the primary client contact and trusted advisor; aligning internal and external teams to service retainer and project‑based contracts.
• Lead client engagements, including regular agenda setting, updates, presentations, strategic planning, and day‑to‑day client management.
• Build and manage relationships and deliver high‑quality, deadline‑driven results.
• Support external client interactions on partnerships, consortium building, and other stakeholder engagements with federal agencies, program officers, and partners.
• Engage with clients on site and participate in industry conferences (approximately

Funding Strategy and Proposal Development

• Lead end‑to‑end proposal development using cross‑functional teams (SMEs, research analysts, writers, reviewers, etc.).
• Maintain extensive knowledge of federal grant programs and trends and advise clients on positioning and competitiveness.
• Oversee the strategic planning and execution of services, including project timelines, deliverables, and quality standards.
• Develop white papers, concept papers, and briefing materials.
• Advise on compliance, readiness, and post‑award capacity building.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (Master’s degree preferred)
• 5+ years of relevant experience (industry R&D, federal funding, consulting, and/or proposal development)
• Strategic thinker with strong project management and proposal leadership experience
• Highly collaborative with a strong customer service mindset
• Excellent communication, client‑facing, and analytical skills

Preferred Skills

• Experience navigating government funding and policy landscapes, such as Hill experience, federal or state agencies and departments
• Experience successfully securing federal funding awards for industry, academia, or other entities
• Familiarity with federal appropriations, grant, and contracting processes
• PMP, APMP, or similar project management certification
• Key Success Traits
• Strategic thinker with strong problem‑solving skills
• Detail‑oriented and deadline‑driven
• Confident communicator and client advisor
• Highly collaborative with a strong customer service mindset
• Normal work hours are 8:30 am through 5:30 pm Monday through Friday EST (for local staff)
• Location: Hybrid In‑office, strongly preferred (Washington, D.C.);
• Competitive 401(k), healthcare, dental, life insurance, long‑term disability, dependent care FSA, HSA/FSA, and transit benefits.
• Salary consideration will be commensurate with experience starting at $100,000.00 annual base salary and bonus eligible after one year of continuous service.
• Flexible vacation and leave policy.

At McAllister & Quinn, we’re challenging the status quo. When we connect different perspectives, we open ourselves to new possibilities, inspire innovation, and allow us to achieve the full potential of our people. We’re building an employee experience & engagement that includes appreciation, belonging, growth, and purpose for everyone in our team.