Senior Proposal Development Manager - Mellon College of Science - Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center

Carnegie Mellon University is a private, global research university that stands among the world's most renowned education institutions. With ground-breaking brain science, path-breaking performances, creative start-ups, big data, big ambitions, hands-on learning, and a whole lot of robots, CMU doesn't imagine the future, we invent it. If you're passionate about joining a community that challenges the curious to deliver work that matters, your journey starts here!

The Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center (PSC) is a leading high-performance computing research facility operated jointly by Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh, with support from the National Science Foundation. Established in 1986, PSC provides cutting-edge computational resources to advance scientific discovery in fields like biomedical research, engineering, and artificial intelligence. It is home to powerful supercomputers, including Bridges-2, which supports large-scale data analysis and machine learning applications.

We are seeking a detail-oriented and highly skilled Senior Proposal Development Manager to join the Pittsburgh PSC team. PSC's portfolio includes over thirty active funding streams from federal agencies such as the NSF, NIH, DOE, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The ideal candidate will discover, conceptualize, write, edit, and coordinate proposal opportunities in response to requests from government agencies, private industry, and research organizations. This position reports directly to the PSC Director. It requires working closely with subject matter experts, technical teams, the business office, and management to develop partnerships and create clear, compelling, and technically accurate proposals that reflect the capabilities and expertise of our Center. This position will manage the proposal development process at the PSC, independently identifying opportunities and reviewing feedback from PSC Leadership and Principal Investigators. PSC intends to form a proposal development team, and we are looking for someone to lead the team in growing and supervising it as it evolves.

Key Responsibilities:

• Proposal Development: Coordinate pre-award activities such as identifying and recommending funding opportunities, assembling appropriate project teams, shaping budgets, and creating and elaborating ideas in collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
• Partnership Development: Identify strategic academic and industry partners that are critical to advancing PSC's mission and develop relationships that create opportunities for joint initiatives.
• Proposal Management: Create a process to facilitate the selection of funding opportunities to pursue as proposals with PSC Leadership. Coordinate the proposal management process, including tracking deadlines, identifying solicitation requirements, managing document versions, and ensuring timely submission of compelling proposals of the highest quality.
• Proposal Writing: Write, edit, assemble high-quality proposals for various funding opportunities, including government contracts, industry partnerships, and research grants.
• Collaboration and Cross-Functioning: Work closely with internal technical teams, scientists, engineers, and project managers to ensure that proposals align with PSC's mission and vision, meet its needs, and accurately reflect its capabilities.
• Award Management: Work closely with project managers to ensure outcomes of existing awards are reported accurately and timely to the funding agencies and disseminated to the scientific community.
• Technical Accuracy: Translate complex technical concepts related to science and engineering, high-performance computing, data, and other PSC services into clear, concise language that is understandable for non-technical audiences.
• Customization: Tailor proposals to meet the specific requirements of each funding agency, research institution, or industry partner, aligning them with their priorities and guidelines.
• Compliance: Ensure all proposals adhere to the specific guidelines and instructions of each funding opportunity, including formatting, content, and submission requirements.
• Market Research: Conduct research to understand community needs, industry trends, and competitive landscape to enhance proposal content and strategy.
• Quality Control: Review and edit all proposal documents for grammar, clarity, consistency, and technical accuracy. Ensure proposals are polished and professional before submission.

Adaptability, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within Carnegie Mellon University. We are in search of a team member who can effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.

Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's degree in English, Communications, Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field. An advanced degree or certification in technical writing or proposal development is a plus.

Experience:

• 5+ years of experience in proposal writing and management, preferably in high-performance computing, technology, research, or a related field.
• Proven track record of writing successful proposals for government agencies (e.g., NSF, DOE, NIH) and private industry.
• Familiarity with technical writing, specifically in HPC and scientific research domains.

Skills:

• Strong written communication skills, with an ability to write clear, concise, and compelling proposals.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple proposals simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
• Knowledge of proposal development processes, including proposal strategy, proposal management, and compliance with RFPs/RFIs.
• Familiarity with HPC technologies, research tools, and services is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Drive Suite, and proposal management software as needed.

Attributes:

• Highly self-motivated, detail-oriented, and proactive.
• Ability to collaborate with diverse teams and work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage with technical experts and stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to shifting priorities or requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in technical or scientific fields, particularly related to high-performance computing or computational research.
• Familiarity with federal grant programs, grant management, and reporting, including NSF, NIH, and DOE R&D funding mechanisms.
• Experience working with research institutions, universities, or large-scale technology firms.
• Experience working with local government, state, and non-profit funders.
• A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.

Requirements:

• Successful background check

Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits.

Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits, take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays, and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance.

Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access, and much more!

For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, explore our Benefits page.

At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond credentials, we evaluate the role and responsibilities, your valuable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We appreciate your unique skills and the perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it's about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.

Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an exceptional organization?! Apply today!

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