Proposal Development Manager, Research

About ETS:

ETS is a global education and talent solutions organization enabling lifelong learners worldwide to be future‑ready. For more than 75 years, we've been advancing the science of measurement to build benchmarks for fair and valid skill assessment across cultures and borders. Our worldwide impact extends through our renowned assessments including TOEFL®, TOEIC®, GRE® and Praxis® tests, serving millions of learners in more than 200 countries and territories.

Through strategic acquisitions, we've expanded our global capabilities: PSI strengthens our workforce assessment solutions, while Edusoft, Kira Talent, Pipplet, Vericant, and Wheebox enhance our educational technology and assessment platforms across critical markets worldwide.

Through ETS Research Institute and ETS Solutions, we're partnering with educational institutions, governments, and organizations globally to promote skill proficiency, empower upward mobility, and unlock opportunities for everyone, everywhere. With offices and partners across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas, we deliver nearly 50 million tests annually. Join us in our journey of measuring progress to power human progress worldwide.

ETS is seeking a dynamic and strategic Manager of Research Proposal Development to lead the end‑to‑end proposal process for federal and non‑federal funding opportunities. This role is central to advancing ETS’s mission by securing resources that fuel innovation across the ETS Research Institute and enterprise‑wide initiatives.

You’ll manage a high‑volume pipeline of proposals, guide researchers through complex funding landscapes, and ensure every submission meets the highest standards of quality, compliance, and impact.

• Serve as a trusted advisor to researchers, guiding engagement with program officers and navigating regulatory requirements—especially with NSF, IES, and other key agencies and foundations.
• Interpret funding structures and review cultures to align proposals with agency priorities and long‑term trends.
• Foster collaboration across ETS and with external partners to support proposal and budget development.
• Contribute to the evolution of Strategic Research Alliances’ strategy and stay informed on emerging trends and best practices.

• Identify and share relevant funding opportunities, encouraging timely and strategic proposal submissions.
• Provide insights into funding cycles and program structures to align ETS initiatives with external opportunities.
• Maintain proposal calendars and assign writers based on expertise and capacity.
• Manage a pipeline of 40–60 proposals annually using Salesforce and grants‑management tools.
• Support proposal drafting, including boilerplate content, staffing charts, budget justifications, and organizational materials.
• Repurpose technical documentation for future opportunities when appropriate.

• Review and edit proposals for clarity, consistency, and alignment with funder requirements.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional guidelines, including FAR and agency‑specific standards.
• Proactively identify and resolve compliance issues, keeping leadership informed of risks and solutions.

• Track proposal outcomes and lead post‑submission reviews to drive continuous improvement.
• Provide regular status updates and maintain RFP distribution lists.

Draft proposal budgets and narratives aligned with ETS best practices.

• Implement process improvements, including external proposal platforms.
• Advise leadership on budgetary risks and collaborate with finance teams to monitor project expenses.

• Seamless management of a multimillion‑dollar portfolio of research grants.
• Formation of high‑performing proposal teams.
• Proposals meet ETS’s editorial and technical standards and are recognized as “best in class.”
• Grants are implemented effectively and aligned with funder priorities.
• ETS intellectual property is protected and aligned with mission‑driven goals.
• Funders are informed and satisfied with grant progress and outcomes.