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.

Minimum Education
Bachelors degree or equivalent combination of education, training and experience (Preferred)

Minimum Work Experience
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)

Required Skills/Knowledge
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. Gives attention to detail and is highly organized.
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; works well with faculty, staff and across multiple teams to accomplish goals.
Ability to handle multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and work independently with minimal supervision.

Required Licenses and Certifications
Certified Research Administrator (CRA) (Preferred)

Functional Accountabilities
Research Services Support

• 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.

Proposal Development & JIT

• 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. 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 F&A and fringe rates.

• Coordinates and reviews certain proposal elements for consistency in formatting, accuracy, and completeness. Reviews proposal for consistency with sponsor guidelines on budget, format, font size, and page limits.

• Collaborates with investigators and pre-award staff at external institutions to secure necessary sub-award documents for proposal.

• Ensures proposals are entered correctly into CRI systems (BearGrants) and grant proposal portals or application systems.

• Facilitates and monitors proposals through the routing and approval process in compliance with CRI procedures and securing appropriate sign offs.

• Monitors proposal statuses and advises Principal Investigators on requirements and deadlines. Escalates to Manager if deadlines are not met.

• Facilitates Just-In-Time process including development of other support documents.

Leadership

• Serves as direct supervisor to junior team members. Responsibilities include management of workload and quality of work and providing guidance and feedback on performance.

• Develops training materials that aid in orientation of new PD team members; leads orientation and training of new team members consistent with SOPs, policies and procedures.

• Ensures effective and efficient workflow and adherence to quality standards for proposal development team. Works with Manager to draft and implement process improvements.

• Coordinates annual plan for faculty training with Manager. Develops and delivers education for faculty and non-GCAF staff as assigned.

• Serves as a resource to junior faculty and new investigators, providing hands on support during the grant application process

Responsible Conduct of Research

• Consistently demonstrates adherence to the standards for the responsible conduct of research.

• Uses research funds and resources appropriately.

• Maintains confidentiality of data as required.

• Meets all annual job-related training and compliance requirements.
  
  Organizational Accountabilities
  
• Anticipate and responds to customer needs; follows up until needs are met
  
  Teamwork/Communication
  
• Demonstrate collaborative and respectful behavior

• Partner with all team members to achieve goals

• Receptive to others' ideas and opinions
  
  Performance Improvement/Problem-solving
  
• Contribute to a positive work environment

• Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to change

• Identify opportunities to improve clinical and administrative processes

• Make appropriate decisions, using sound judgment
  
  Cost Management/Financial Responsibility
  
• Use resources efficiently

• Search for less costly ways of doing things

  Safety

• Speak up when team members appear to exhibit unsafe behavior or performance

• Continuously validate and verify information needed for decision making or documentation

• Stop in the face of uncertainty and takes time to resolve the situation

• Demonstrate accurate, clear and timely verbal and written communication

• Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors and co-workers

• Attend carefully to important details - practicing Stop, Think, Act and Review in order to self-check behavior and performance