Proposal Development Manager

University of Maryland

College Park (MD)

On-site

USD 116,689 - 140,026

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

The University of Maryland seeks a Proposal Development Manager to join the Research Development Office in College Park. The PDM will coordinate and execute complex, signature proposals from ideation to submission, partnering with investigators, departments, and sponsors to enhance competitiveness.

Responsibilities include coordinating multiple opportunities, refining responsiveness, and providing specialized services for large, multi-institutional projects.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required.
Three years of proposal development experience; one year leading or supervising staff.
Additional work experience may substitute for up to four years of education.

Responsibilities

Coordinate and prepare complex, cross-disciplinary research proposals from ideation to submission.
Assess project fit and refine proposal responsiveness for sponsors.
Develop and execute strategies to enhance competitiveness of submissions.

Skills

Funding policy knowledge

Research regulation knowledge

Oral and written communication

Microsoft Office skills

Policy interpretation and application

Multitasking and customer service

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description Summary

Organization's Summary Statement: The mission of the Research Development Office is to grow the volume and visibility of UMD's research enterprise. We provide customized services to help faculty and faculty-led groups across the university turn ideas into action. Whether you are launching a new initiative, communicating a vision to university leaders, or identifying opportunities for unique research contributions, we are supportive partners during pivotal moments.

The University of Maryland seeks an experienced Proposal Development Manager (PDM) to join its Research Development Office team. The PDM will work under the direction of the Director of Research Development, in coordination with the Associate Vice President for Research Development, to facilitate and execute the scientific and administrative development of complex, visible, and signature research proposals from ideation to submission. The incumbent will work closely with principal and co-investigators, department and college leadership teams and business offices, relevant stakeholders in the Division of Research, and other groups in: coordinating and preparing proposals; assessing project fit and refining responsiveness of the proposal; conducting select outreach to external stakeholders, team members, and sponsors; and providing specialized services to enhance the competitiveness of the submission.

The PDM's duties will include, but are not limited to, the following types of funding opportunities:

Large-scale, multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional research projects and center-level proposals;
Nationally prominent federal agency/foundation opportunities that are catalytic for the investigator's career advancement and/or leverage and extend campus seed grant investments;
Signature, defining research opportunities for the University, College/School, Center, or Department;
Applications to foundation, corporate, and government sponsors with which the University of Maryland desires to create or enhance long-term, strategic research partnerships.

Physical Demands: Sedentary work performed in a normal office environment occasionally at irregular hours when required to meet proposal deadlines.; exerts up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Ability to attend meetings both on and off campus. Spending long hours in front of a computer screen.

Licenses/ Certifications: N/A

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Three (3) years of proposal development experience. One (1) year of experience leading or supervising professional staff.

Other: Additional work experience as defined above may be substituted on a year for year basis for up to four (4) years of the required education.

Knowledge of state and federal funding agencies and policies.
Knowledge of rules and regulations pertaining to research activities.
Skill in oral and written communication.
Skill in the use of Microsoft Office products.
Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and laws.
Ability to multitask while demonstrating a commitment to customer service.

Additional Job Details

Preferences:

PhD or graduate work in engineering, applied sciences or relevant proposal development fields.
Evidence of success in contributing to writing, editing, and/or managing large collaborative research proposals to federal agencies and foundations, with particular experience with DoD, DOE, NASA, private foundations, NIH, and NSF, among others.
Strong understanding of research funding mechanisms and ability to communicate and execute strategies for developing compliant, responsive, and competitive proposals.
Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships with principal investigators and work collaboratively as a member of a high-performing team to develop competitive research proposals.
Excellent oral and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse teams.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a dynamic environment.

Required Application Materials

Resume and Cover Letter

Best Consideration Date

08/14/2026

Posting Close Date

08/28/2026

Open Until Filled

Job Risks

Not Applicable to This Position

Financial Disclosure Required

For more information on Financial Disclosure, please visit Maryland's State Ethics Commission website.

Department

VPR-Research Development

Worker Sub-Type

Staff Regular

Salary Range

$116,689 - $140,026

Benefits Summary

For more information on Regular Exempt benefits, select this link.

Background Checks

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.

Employment Eligibility

The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.

EEO Statement

The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University's Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.

Title IX Non-Discrimination Notice

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