Job Summary

The Research & Innovation Office (RIO) seeks a Strategic Proposals Manager to operationalize RIO's Strategic Proposals program, supporting complex, large-scale funding opportunities that require coordinated effort across multiple units, partners, and collaborators.

This position serves as a senior individual contributor within a collaborative research development team, operating with a high degree of independence while partnering closely with faculty, RIO colleagues, and campus partners to align resources, build competitive teams, and navigate the complexities of proposal development in a decentralized research environment.

Under the Senior Director for Research Development's direction, the Strategic Proposals Manager is responsible for leading the development and execution of strategic proposals from early-stage concept through submission. This includes supporting the development of early-stage ideas by facilitating structure and alignment with sponsor priorities, as well as managing the full proposal production process, including planning, coordination, document development, and submission preparation. This position plays a key part in advancing a more proactive and coordinated approach to research development at CU Boulder by improving how complex, cross-cutting proposals are developed and completed.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Strategic Proposal Development & Production - Lead the development and production of complex, high-impact proposal efforts designated as Strategic Proposals. This includes developing and implementing proposal management plans, supporting proposal narrative development and integration, aligning institutional resources, coordinating and/or producing supporting documents and supplemental materials, and managing proposals efforts from early-stage concept development through submission and post-submission activities, including sponsor presentations and site visits.
• Strategic Proposal Pipeline Development & Management - Support the development and management of RIO's Strategic Proposal pipeline by identifying and assessing funding opportunities, facilitating the development of competitive proposal teams and project concepts, and providing readiness assessments and strategic recommendations to inform strategic decision-making at the internal competition stage.
• Program Development & Continuous Improvement - Support the ongoing refinement, assessment, and continuous improvement of the Strategic Proposals program, including proposal development processes, coordination models, and institutional engagement strategies.
• Perform additional responsibilities as needed to support the priorities of the research development team and RIO.

What You Should Know

• This is a hybrid position requiring a minimum of three days on campus.
• Occasional travel may be required to support proposal development activities and institutional priorities.
• Occasional early morning or late-day meetings may be necessary to support proposal timelines and partner coordination.
• This role supports complex, high-impact proposal efforts that may involve shifting priorities and periods of increased workload leading up to proposal due dates.
• Work requires close collaboration with Research Development colleagues and partners across RIO (including the Office of Contracts and Grants, Program Management Office, and Industry Research Partnerships), as well as coordination with faculty, staff, external partners, and university leadership.
• This position operates in a fast-paced, collaborative environment with multiple concurrent projects at different stages of development.

What We Can Offer

• The hiring range for this position is $92,000-$110,000. Relocation assistance is available for eligible candidates.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder , we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be authentic. Be pioneering. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• Bachelor's degree and 5+ years of experience in research development, proposal development, or a closely related field
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute

What You Will Need

• Ability to bring structure to early-stage, evolving ideas and move them toward actionable plans
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with attention to detail and follow-through
• Ability to navigate complex institutional environments and work effectively across organizational boundaries
• Strong interpersonal and facilitation skills, including the ability to engage faculty and partners
• Clear and effective communication skills, both written and verbal
• Demonstrated initiative and a proactive approach to finding opportunities and solving problems
• Ability to work effectively in ambiguous, fast-paced environments with a high degree of independence
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects with competing timelines and collaborators
• Demonstrated ability to develop proposal strategy and align project concepts with sponsor priorities

What We Would Like You to Have

• Advanced degree (e.g., Master's, PhD) or equivalent professional experience
• Experience leading end-to-end proposal development from early-stage concept through submission, including strategy, coordination, and production
• Experience leading or significantly contributing to large-scale, multi-investigator proposals (e.g., center, institute, or multi-million dollar opportunities)
• Experience using AI-enabled tools and emerging technologies to support research development, proposal strategy, project coordination, or related workflows
• Experience facilitating cross-disciplinary teams and coordinating efforts across multiple units or organizations
• Familiarity with federal funding agency proposal policy and processes, including proposal submission systems (e.g., research.gov, NIH ASSIST, DOE eXCHANGE, etc.)
• Experience developing proposal management plans, timelines, and structured development processes
• Experience working in a higher education or research-intensive environment

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. A current resume.
2. A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.

We may request references at a later time.

Please apply by July 6, 2026 for consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs .

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.