Description

Description

Southern Illinois University (SIU) is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Strategic Proposal Developer to join our research development team. This critical role is dedicated to enhancing SIU's research enterprise by supporting faculty members in securing competitive external funding. The Strategic Proposal Developer will lead and manage the end-to-end proposal development process, including solicitation analysis, project management of proposal timelines and deliverables, and narrative development support. The ideal candidate will serve as a strategic partner to researchers, providing expert guidance in interpreting funding agency requirements and aligning proposal content with sponsor priorities. In addition to individualized proposal support, the role will contribute to broader institutional goals by identifying and promoting funding opportunities and developing research development programming. This includes facilitating workshops, creating proposal resources, and contributing to initiatives that strengthen SIU's grant-seeking capacity. This position is ideal for candidates with strong project management, communication, and analytical skills, and a passion for advancing academic research. Join us in supporting innovation and scholarship at SIU by helping faculty turn ideas into funded research. Application review will begin after September 2, 2025, with applications accepted until the position is filled .

The target salary offer for this position is $3,33300 - $5,416.00 monthly, the full pay range for this position is $39,996.00 - $65,000 annually. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.

Examples of Duties

• Supports SIUC faculty members in securing research funding through the identification and promotion of funding opportunities, individual proposal development support, and the development and facilitation of institutional programming. Focuses on large proposals with more than 1 PI.
• Solicitation analysis
• Create master list of required content based on solicitation
• Develop preliminary outline for technical narrative content
• Track updates to solicitation and FAQs
• Project management of the proposal process
• Create and maintain proposal development timeline
• Assist with assignment and tracking of team member content responsibilities
• Facilitate early communication with OSPA pre-award staff about potentially complex issues
• Assist with content collection and document version control Narrative development support
• Advise team members regarding rhetorical strategy
• Help maintain consistency between various pieces of content as details shift
• Provide feedback on drafts at any stage in the process
• Propose edits to proposal content to strengthen grantsmanship and responsiveness to the funding opportunity review criteria.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in English or Technical Communications, or a Bachelor's degree and a minimum of three years' experience in proposal writing
• Experience editing and providing feedback on others' technical or scientific content, such as parsing complex documents, tracking multi-faceted requirements, and working with others to enable requirement fulfillment
• Experience managing projects that feature multiple stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate certificate or coursework in proposal development or grant writing
• Experience working with faculty members in higher education

Required Documents: The applicant must submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and three references.

Contact : Julie Virgo, [email protected]

Benefits

University employees may be eligible for a variety of State of Illinois benefits. These benefits are administered through the Illinois Department of Central Management Service (CMS). These benefits include: Health Insurance plans (HMOs, OAPs, QCHP and CDHP), Dental Insurance, Vision Plan, Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), Supplemental Long Term Disability (LTD), Flex Spending Accounts, MCAP and DCAP, and 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan.

Eligible employees are required to participate in the State Universities Retirement System (SURS). SURS is the retirement administrator for employees in public higher education in the State of Illinois.

Other benefits available to eligible employees include: Generous paid time-off, 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plans, Employee Assistance Program and a Tuition Waiver Program.
For more information please visit: https://hr.siu.edu/benefits/