Senior Proposal Development Manager

Job overview

The Senior Proposal Development Manager role is primarily remote, with flexibility for onsite work and optional in-person meetings about twice monthly; the listing location is Cambridge, MA. Compensation is not specified. The role is part of Harvard’s Office for Sponsored Programs, which supports faculty and university affiliates conducting sponsored research. The manager oversees complex pre-award proposal development and Just-in-Time workflows for a high-complexity funding portfolio. The role helps researchers submit competitive, accurate, timely proposals while ensuring compliance with sponsor and university requirements and improving departmental processes.

What you'll do

• Provide strategic guidance for proposal development and long-range planning
• lead complex multi-PI, multi-site, and center-level proposals
• develop budgets, subaward and consortium agreements, and compliance plans
• interpret sponsor announcements and policies
• coordinate faculty and administrative contributions
• serve as senior liaison to central offices
• oversee proposal data and workflows
• improve processes and metrics
• direct complex Just-in-Time requests and monitor compliance.

What we're looking for

Skills & competencies

senior proposal development manager

sponsored research

grant proposals

pre-award

proposal development

just-in-time requests

federal compliance

research administration

primarily remote

cambridge ma

harvard university

Work arrangement

• Weekend coverage required

Benefits & perks

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• medical, dental, and vision coverage from day one
• retirement plans with university contributions
• wellbeing and mental health resources
• family and caregiver support
• professional development and tuition assistance
• commuter benefits and campus perks.

Why this role

Requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, at least five years of relevant experience, and advanced knowledge of sponsored research regulations. Harvard is unable to provide visa sponsorship.

About the employer

Harvard University Central Administration is hiring for this role. Industry: Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools. Sector: 61.