Proposal Development Specialist

The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff “for fit” makes significant contributions to Howard University’s overall mission. At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth. Here is what we offer:   Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health support Work-Life Balance: PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangements Financial Wellness: Competitive salary, 403(b) with company match   Professional Development: Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement paths Additional Perks: Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company culture   Join Howard University and thrive with us!   https://hr.howard.edu/benefits-wellness JOB FUNCTION Howard University’s Office of Research is seeking a Proposal Development Specialist as part of the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) team. The Specialist will provide proposal development support to faculty and research team pursuing external funding. The Specialist will also work across Howard’s research enterprise to help investigators transform promising ideas into clear, compelling, sponsor-responsive proposals and build sustainable funding strategies. This role is well suited for a research development professional, research administrator, or proposal writer who enjoys working across disciplines, engaging directly with faculty, and helping teams communicate the significance and impact of their work. The position offers the opportunity to contribute to proposal development across a broad portfolio of federal and non-federal sponsors while helping strengthen grantsmanship capacity within a dynamic R1 research environment. NATURE AND SCOPE Serve as a dedicated proposal development contact for an assigned portfolio of schools/colleges, supporting multiple concurrent engagements against sponsor deadlines. Analyze funding opportunities, sponsor priorities, review criteria, and relevant prior awards to help investigators assess fit and position proposals competitively. Consult with faculty from early concept development through proposal refinement, helping translate research ideas into compelling, sponsor-responsive applications. Provide writing, editing, and organizational support for proposal narratives and non-technical proposal components, including project summaries, management plans, mentoring plans, sustainability plans, education and outreach components, data management plans, budget justifications, and interdisciplinary narratives that integrate contributions across disciplines. Develop outlines, writing plans, templates, checklists, and guidance that help investigators organize strong applications and respond fully to sponsor requirements. Review proposal drafts for clarity, organization, consistency, responsiveness to review criteria, and alignment…