Lead Proposal Development Specialist

The Lead Proposal Development Specialist facilitates the development of grant proposals including complex and multi-institutional grants on behalf of Children's National faculty and staff. Responsibilities include budget development and ensuring that grant is compliant with sponsor requirements and internal policies and timelines. In addition, the Lead PDS facilitates all sponsor requirements and requests up until the time a Notice of Grant Award is received.

The Lead PDS is responsible for the intake of all proposals, workload distribution amongst the team, and oversight of team to ensure that milestones and deadlines are met. The Lead is the direct supervisor of PDS and trains incoming team members. The Lead works collaboratively with the Grants and Contracts team members to ensure that proposals are submitted in a streamlined and efficient manner.

Lead PDS serves as a resource to junior faculty and new investigators, providing hands‑on support during the grant application process, and develops and delivers education for faculty and non‑SPBS staff as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education, training and experience (Preferred)

• 4 years Grants, contracts, and budget‑related experience in an academic or academic‑medical center setting with mentorship experience (Required)
• 5 years Grants, contracts, and budget‑related experience in an academic or academic‑medical center setting with mentorship experience (Preferred)

• Use of computers and web‑based applications in a security‑focused environment.
• Use of Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams), Adobe, and internal application systems used to support research operations.
• Critical thinking and problem‑solving skills, attention to detail, and high organization.
• Ability to analyze and interpret various funding opportunity announcements (RFA, RFP, FOA) from sponsor agencies including NIH, FDA, DoD, state and local government agencies, and foundations, and communicate funding opportunity nuances to stakeholders.
• Ability to train team members on sponsor requirements.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to lead and unify a team toward common goals.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and work independently with minimal supervision.

• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) (Preferred)

• Initiates pre‑application meetings with Principal Investigators to discuss Funding Opportunity Announcements and creates proposal specific timelines for complex/large grant submissions or for new/junior faculty who may need additional support.
• Acts as liaison between the Proposal Development team, Grants and Contracts Pre‑Award team and Principal Investigators to ensure that all requirements and deadlines are met.
• Collaborates with other Proposal Development team members to ensure exceptional and uniform support of all CRI proposals.
• Ensures the smooth transition of awarded proposals to post‑award team through communication and detailed record keeping.
• Verifies compliance training for COI and other required certificates are up to date for faculty.
• Monitors workload distribution for proposal development team and raises concerns to Manager.
• Performs related responsibilities as required.

• Assists investigators by answering questions regarding sponsors, funding opportunities and the proposal development process.
• Manages pre‑award activities for assigned proposals using knowledge of grant management rules and regulations, technical expertise, and analytical skills.
• Reviews funding announcements in detail and ensures that Investigators are aware of any unique/unusual requirements.
• Completes responsibilities matrices and communicates deadlines and required deliverables to all members of team.
• Develops budgets and budget justifications which includes proofing budgets for inconsistencies and ensuring accuracy. Ensures that budgets are consistent with sponsor and CRI requirements; verifies all financial information to including application of appropriate…