Technical Senior Proposal Manager
Arizona State University
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Job summary
Arizona State University is seeking a collaborative and strategic Technical Senior Proposal Manager to support the development of competitive health research proposals across the Knowledge Enterprise. The role partners with senior leadership to advance interdisciplinary health research and coordinates across offices to deliver integrated development services.
Responsibilities include managing proposal lifecycles from kickoff to submission, editing, and strategic writing to strengthen scientific
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree; 5 years of related experience or equivalent.
- Experience writing competitive proposals for NIH, USDA, NSF, CDC, and other major sponsors.
- Experience managing complex proposal development projects.
Responsibilities
- Partner with faculty to develop highly competitive proposals from concept through submission.
- Act as proposal manager and strategic writing partner to strengthen narratives.
- Collaborate with researchers and administrative staff to coordinate multidisciplinary teams.
- Develop proposal management plans, timelines, and submission checklists.
- Monitor progress and risks to ensure on-time, high-quality submissions.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Research Development Specialist 3
Research Development
Full time
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:
Takes a lead role in facilitating capacity‑building activities, collaborating with central research administrations to develop and implement strategic initiatives that elevate the institution’s overall competitiveness for extramural research funding.
Salary Range: $71,500 - $110,000 per year; DOE
The Knowledge Enterprise (KE) Research Development Office (RD) at Arizona State University seeks a collaborative, strategic, and highly skilled Technical Senior Proposal Manager to support the development of competitive research proposals that advance ASU’s growing health research enterprise.
As a member of the Research Development Proposal Management team, this position will work in close partnership with the Assistant Vice President for Research, Health Strategy, and the Director of Health Strategy to advance interdisciplinary health research across the university. The Proposal Manager will provide comprehensive support for proposal development to faculty pursuing externally funded research in health‑related fields, including clinical research, serving as both a strategic proposal manager and a writing partner throughout the proposal development lifecycle. As institutional priorities evolve, the position will flex between health‑focused initiatives and broader proposal development efforts supporting faculty across ASU.
The Proposal Manager will collaborate extensively with colleagues across the Office of the Vice President for Research, Knowledge Enterprise, ASU Health, and the broader ASU research community to deliver integrated research development services. This includes partnering with Capture Management, Faculty Development and Outreach, Opportunity Management, Research Editing, Graphic Design, the Research Development Project Management Office (RD PMO), fellow Proposal Managers, Research Administrators, and other institutional stakeholders to strengthen proposal competitiveness and support strategic research initiatives.
This position reports administratively to the Director of Proposal Management within Research Development and maintains a strategic, matrixed partnership with the Assistant Vice President for Research, Health Strategy and the Director of Health Strategy to advance ASU’s institutional health research priorities.
- Partner with faculty to develop highly competitive research proposals from concept development through submission.
- Serve as both proposal manager and strategic writing partner, helping investigators strengthen project narratives, articulate innovation, and communicate scientific impact.
- Collaborate with faculty to develop compelling research strategies aligned with sponsor priorities and institutional strengths.
- Draft, edit, and substantially revise proposal sections including Specific Aims, Project Summaries, Research Strategies, Facilities and Resources, Letters of Support, Management Plans, Executive Summaries, and concept papers.
- Provide scientific editing that improves clarity, organization, responsiveness, and persuasiveness while maintaining the investigators’ scientific voice.
- Translate complex scientific concepts into compelling narratives appropriate for both technical and non‑technical reviewers.
- Maintain current knowledge of the evolving federal and philanthropic funding landscape for health research.
- Advise faculty on sponsor priorities and emerging investments in areas including, but not limited to:
- Partner with institutional leadership to develop proposals for strategic opportunities that advance ASU’s health research portfolio and increase institutional competitiveness for large‑scale federal and philanthropic funding.
- Interpret sponsor solicitations and funding announcements and translate requirements into actionable proposal development plans, communication strategies, and submission workflows.
- Coordinate with other Proposal Managers to share workload, leverage expertise, and ensure consistent proposal development practices across Research Development.
- Lead proposal development efforts from proposal kickoff through submission.
- Develop proposal management plans, timelines, compliance matrices, development schedules, and submission checklists.
- Coordinate multidisciplinary proposal teams across colleges, centers, institutes, and external collaborators.
- Organize internal reviews, external reviews, version control, document integration, and quality assurance.
- Monitor proposal progress and proactively manage risks to ensure high‑quality, on‑time submissions.
- Collaborate with research administrators to ensure compliance with sponsor and university requirements.
Perform other duties and lead special projects as assigned in support of evolving organizational priorities, strategic initiatives, and the mission of Research Development and Knowledge Enterprise.
- Experience writing competitive proposals for NIH, USDA, NSF, CDC, PCORI, AHRQ, HRSA, ARPA-H, or major philanthropic sponsors.
- Expertise in clinical research and/or human subjects research
- Demonstrated excellence in scientific, technical, or grant writing and editing.
- Experience supporting interdisciplinary research initiatives and large, multi‑investigator proposals.
- Strong proposal or project management skills with experience coordinating complex proposal development efforts.
- Knowledge of current federal and philanthropic funding priorities related to nutrition, Food is Medicine, chronic disease prevention, biomedical innovation, precision health, digital health, and translational science.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to audiences.
- Experience interpreting sponsor guidelines and translating requirements into actionable proposal development plans.
- Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships with faculty, institutional leadership, and external partners.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and proposal development software.
- Climate‑controlled office setting subject to extended periods of being in a stationary position.
- Regular use of a computer and other office productivity equipment, such as a calculator, copy machine, and printer.
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, as well as its commitment to helping students thrive in college and beyond. U.S. News and World Report has named ASU as the most innovative university all eleven 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.
AtResearch Development, we are dedicated to building an inclusive, and 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 is not required for this position.
Campus: Tempe
No Federal Funding
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.
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 conducts pre‑employment screening which may include verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications.
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.
A fingerprint check is not required for this position.
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