Readiness and Capture Lead
Employer
Grand Ground Enterprise, LLC (GGE)
Place of performance
Remote/telework, with on-site work at NIH, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD 20817, as requested by the client; periodic visits to HBCU campuses
Travel
Occasional, mostly local; some overnight travel to HBCU campuses
Employment type
Full-time, key personnel; contingent upon contract award
Anticipated start
December 2026
Background check
NIH background investigation required for badge and system access
The role. The Readiness and Capture Lead runs the heart of the program: assessing each HBCU's readiness to compete for Federal research contracts and directing the technical assistance that closes the gaps. You'll lead up to 35 institutional assessments a year and manage assistance to as many as 35 institutions within a 100-hour annual limit per institution.
Responsibilities
• Lead annual research contracting readiness assessments: document review, a structured stakeholder interview, evidence-based scoring and a review meeting with each institution.
• Tier institutions by readiness and build tailored 12-month assistance plans.
• Direct technical assistance, including capability statements, compliance plans, cost proposals, proposal reviews and capture planning, and track hours against each institution's annual limit.
• Coordinate a pilot program for 5 to 10 high-performing HBCUs and write the final pilot report.
• Lead partnership-building between HBCUs, small businesses, prime contractors and Federal partners.
• Support the program's Accelerator and its policy and acquisition help desk.
Required qualifications
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• 8+ years in Federal acquisition, business development and capture, or university research administration.
• One of the following: FAC-C, DAWIA certification, or Certified Research Administrator (CRA).
• Working knowledge of the FAR, Federal contract types (including R&D contracts and OTAs), cost proposals and indirect-cost rates.
• Experience assessing organizational capability and turning findings into practical improvement plans.
• Ability to pass an NIH background investigation.
Preferred qualifications
• Experience in a sponsored programs office at a research university, ideally an HBCU.
• Familiarity with NIH contracting, HHSAR and NIH grant and contract mechanisms.
• Experience building teaming agreements or consortia.
