Job Category: Exempt

Salary Grade: H

Summary

Incumbents in the Proposal Development Specialist series work with faculty to develop and submit proposals to a wide range of external funding agencies and organizations, including both public and private entities.  

Reporting and Supervisory Responsibilities

The Proposal Development Specialist Senior reports to a Dean and may report to a Proposal Development Specialist Lead. If the position is partially funded by the Office of Research, the Proposal Development Specialist Senior will also report the Director of Research Development. This position may have supervisory responsibilities.

Essential Functions

1. Reviews application guidelines, evaluates funder criteria and priorities, and interprets funding agency requirements.
2. Drafts non-technical and transitional sections of a proposal.
3. Assists with the preparation of proposal budgets, working closely with Business Services staff and Sponsored Programs.
4. Reviews proposal components for typos, grammatical errors, clarity, format, and adherence to RFP requirements.
5. Prepares, manages, and submits proposals in a timely manner via USU’s internal proposal management system, working with Sponsored Programs and other university compliance offices, as necessary.
6. Prepares and manages proposal packages in external electronic submission portals, as appropriate.
7. Serves as an administrative liaison to collaborating institutions to obtain required subaward documentation.
8. Increases proposal development knowledge and writing skills of faculty through assisting with training and other support activities.
9. Recommends changes in proposal scope, format, and content, restructuring and editing as necessary.
10. Fosters opportunities for collaborative efforts with other USU faculty.
11. Connects faculty to partners across campus for broader impacts.
12. Coordinates the roles of multiple investigators on grants by making work assignments, developing timelines for work completion, and following up on progress.
13. Promotes cooperation between colleges or departments and develops teams involving multiple campus organizations.
14. Participates in strategic planning for the growth of proposal submissions to outside sponsors.
15. Performs at an advanced professional level in the preparation of difficult and complex proposals, including supervision of other personnel.
16. Develops and analyzes reports using institutional data, researches and prepares materials to represent sponsored research activity.
17. Works closely and collaboratively with Research Development and other proposal development staff.
18. Engages in appropriate professional development activities and ad hoc projects, as requested.
19. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties, as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Knowledge and understanding of proposal writing procedures and requirements.
2. Knowledge and understanding of research and creative activity funding agencies.
3. Knowledge of strategic planning.
4. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
5. Skilled at project management.
6. Skilled at technical writing.
7. Leadership abilities.
8. Ability to facilitate proposal development by faculty with diverse backgrounds and experience across college, departmental, disciplinary, and institutional boundaries.
9. Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and under tight deadlines.
10. Ability to develop and deliver trainings and/or workshops.
11. Ability to make complex administrative/procedural decisions and judgements.

Minimum Qualifications

Eight years of related work experience or a Bachelor’s degree plus four years of related work experience or a Master’s degree plus two years of related work experience, or an equivalent combination of education plus experience is required.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. Incumbents are regularly required to sit and often use repetitive hand motions.

Disclaimer

This position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to the position.