Proposal Manager

About Us - Values Overview

Department Summary

The Advanced Environmental Research Institute (AERI) is an Institute of Research Excellence at the University of North Texas dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary research to address complex environmental challenges impacting communities on a local, regional, national, and global scale. AERI brings together a multidisciplinary team of researchers to collaborate on large-scale projects that generate innovative, science-based solutions in the areas of environmental health, sustainability, and environmental justice. The institute also provides students with mentored research and professional development opportunities to help prepare them for career fields addressing environmental and sustainability challenges.

Position Overview

The Proposal Manager oversees the full life-cycle of proposal development for the Advanced Environmental Research Institute (AERI), within the Division of Research & Innovation. The Proposal Manager manages proposal development (from the pre-proposal planning phase, through to the final proposal ready for submission) and other related support processes to ensure that AERI submits compelling and on-time proposals that meet requirements for solicitations of varying size and complexity, ranging from short-term task orders to large, multi-million dollar research projects. This position supports interdisciplinary research among the Institute through familiarity with the range of scholarship represented within its membership, and then identifies and connects them with correlating external research funding opportunities to pursue, including federal grants, local foundations, and industry partnerships. Other position duties include: planning, scheduling, and management of competitive proposals; serving as proposal writer, reviewer, and editor as required; and serving as point of contact for proposal activities and communications for the assigned area. The Proposal Manager is given broad assignments and objectives that align with the strategic research initiatives of the Institute; and therefore this position requires as skill-set of creativity, originality, and storytelling and to serve as a resource for others in the resolution of complex problems and issues.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in related field and two years progressively responsible experience in proposal submission activities for private, local, state or federal grants or contracts; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to use varying styles, approaches, skills, and techniques to communicate with various constituents (e.g., faculty, staff, community partners).
• Strong proposal writing experience; excellent verbal and written communication skills writing original content and editing.
• Demonstrated ability to identify key components of an RFP and use them to develop the tools needed to ensure compliance for each proposal effort.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain clear, consistent, timely, and effective communication with proposal stakeholders.
• Proven track record in management of small to large, complex proposal efforts.

Preferred Qualifications

Work experience in higher education with developing sponsored research grant proposals.

Job Duties

• Assist Principal Investigators (PIs) in grant management and timely submission, including scheduling kickoff and planning meetings, providing checklists, serve as coordinator between team members, point person for internal and external portals. Serve as liaison to Grants & Contracts Administration as required.
• Assist PIs in developing quality proposal submissions. Connect faculty to on-campus resources and data, liaise between offices on campus, create and provide relevant templates. Coordinate and provide resources to support visual graphics and illustrations on proposals.
• Develop and maintain metrics and strategies on proposals for the assigned areas. Prospecting funding opportunities, understanding and communicating the funding landscape, and partner with University leadership to increase & prioritize specific external funding.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of UNT policies and procedures as well as sponsor, state, and federal regulations governing submissions of proposals for external funding. Maintain NORDP membership and professional development for Research Development Professionals to engage in best practices, and offer the most effective proposal development services to faculty.
• Connect faculty to on-campus research support resources and data, including education, training, workshops, and champion new faculty investigators. Liaise between offices on campus, create a repository of resources for assigned area.

Physical Requirements

• Communicating with others to exchange information.
• Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing. 

Environmental Hazards

• No adverse environmental conditions expected.

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm. Some evenings and weekends as needed to meet deadlines

Driving University Vehicle

No

Security Sensitive

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

Special Instructions

Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed, additional references can be added after the application has been submitted. 

Benefits

For information regarding our Benefits, click here.

EEO Statement

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit –and takes actions to prevent – discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking), and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices, and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities. UNT System Administration promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. System Administration also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist, or participate in a related investigation or proceeding.