University of Maryland
Federal Engagement/Research Development Program Director
🇺🇸 College Park, MD
🕑 Full-Time
💰 $156K - $187K
💻 Project Management
🗓️ December 5th, 2025
Edtech.com's Summary
University of Maryland College Park (UMCP) is hiring a Federal Engagement/Research Development Program Director. The director will develop and execute strategies to identify proposal opportunities from NSF and related agencies while supporting the growth of UMD's Translational Research capabilities. The role involves enhancing competitiveness through business development, partnership management, and strategic planning to help grow the research enterprise toward $1 billion in external awards.
Highlights
- Develop and execute capture strategies aligned with UMD's research initiatives and capabilities.
- Focus on engagement with NSF's Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP) Directorate to support translational research.
- Enhance competitiveness via business development, partnership management, and strategic planning.
- Requires mastery in managing research development opportunities within federal agencies like DOD, DOE, NASA, or NIH.
- Minimum of a Master’s degree and ten years of professional program management experience.
- Strong skills in oral and written communication, data analytics, negotiation, and Microsoft Office usage.
- Experience in higher education research development with at least eight years related to research, proposal development, or program management.
- Ability to conduct technical workshops and manage multiple priorities under minimal supervision.
- Salary range from $155,652.00 to $186,782.40 with benefits.
- Department: VPR-Research Development; requires completion of background checks and employment eligibility verification.
Federal Engagement/Research Development Program Director Full Description
Job Description Summary
The mission of the Research Development Office is to grow the volume and visibility of UMD's research enterprise. We provide customized services to help faculty and faculty-led groups across the university turn ideas into action. Whether you are launching a new initiative, communicating a vision to university leaders, or identifying opportunities for unique research contributions, we are supportive partners during pivotal moments.
Job Description Summary:
Under minimal supervision and reporting to the Associate Vice President for Research Development, the Capture Management/Research Development Program Director will develop and execute the capture strategy to identify proposal opportunities from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and related agencies consistent with UMD's strategic initiatives, research capabilities, and programmatic strengths. A particular focus will be supporting the growth of UMD's Translational Research capabilities through deep institutional engagement with NSF's Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP) Directorate.
The Capture Management/Research Development Program Director will: Enhance individual, team, and institutional competitiveness through business development, partnership management, and strategic planning.Serve as an integral member of the RD team to help facilitate the sustained growth of the research enterprise toward $1B in external awards.
Preferences
Experience:
Eight years of relevant or related experience in research, proposal development, federal or business development and/or program management or leadership.
Prior experience working in a federal agency that funds university research, ideally in a program manager or leadership position.
2+ years experience in higher education Research Development.
Experience in opportunity shaping, stakeholder cultivation and preparation.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Deep knowledge of federal agency or federal funding environment, internal processes, and funding mechanisms for one or more of the following: Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Energy (DOE), National Aeronautic and Space Agency (NASA), National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Direct organizational experience working across different functional units, interfacing with leaders and/or faculty of varying roles.
Demonstrated prior performance in shaping a funding opportunity leading to successful award.
Ability to facilitate technical workshops and interchange meetings.
Ability to independently identify, research and resolve issues.
Ability to multitask and manage competing deadlines.
Demonstrated emotional and cultural intelligence and track record of working with diverse populations and multicultural contexts.
Ability to identify, competitively assess, and pursue research development opportunities across multiple scientific disciplines.
Physical Demands:
Sedentary work performed in a normal office environment; exerts up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Ability to attend meetings both on and off campus. Spending long hours in front of a computer screen.
Licenses/Certifications:
N/A
Job Description Summary:
Under minimal supervision and reporting to the Associate Vice President for Research Development, the Capture Management/Research Development Program Director will develop and execute the capture strategy to identify proposal opportunities from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and related agencies consistent with UMD's strategic initiatives, research capabilities, and programmatic strengths. A particular focus will be supporting the growth of UMD's Translational Research capabilities through deep institutional engagement with NSF's Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP) Directorate.
The Capture Management/Research Development Program Director will: Enhance individual, team, and institutional competitiveness through business development, partnership management, and strategic planning.Serve as an integral member of the RD team to help facilitate the sustained growth of the research enterprise toward $1B in external awards.
Preferences
Experience:
Eight years of relevant or related experience in research, proposal development, federal or business development and/or program management or leadership.
Prior experience working in a federal agency that funds university research, ideally in a program manager or leadership position.
2+ years experience in higher education Research Development.
Experience in opportunity shaping, stakeholder cultivation and preparation.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Deep knowledge of federal agency or federal funding environment, internal processes, and funding mechanisms for one or more of the following: Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Energy (DOE), National Aeronautic and Space Agency (NASA), National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Direct organizational experience working across different functional units, interfacing with leaders and/or faculty of varying roles.
Demonstrated prior performance in shaping a funding opportunity leading to successful award.
Ability to facilitate technical workshops and interchange meetings.
Ability to independently identify, research and resolve issues.
Ability to multitask and manage competing deadlines.
Demonstrated emotional and cultural intelligence and track record of working with diverse populations and multicultural contexts.
Ability to identify, competitively assess, and pursue research development opportunities across multiple scientific disciplines.
Physical Demands:
Sedentary work performed in a normal office environment; exerts up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Ability to attend meetings both on and off campus. Spending long hours in front of a computer screen.
Licenses/Certifications:
N/A
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Master's degree from an accredited college or university. Experience: Ten (10) years of professional program management experience. Knowledge of business acumen to understand key business drivers, organizational communications, and data. Knowledge of organizational and unit performances measures. Knowledge of the impact and implications of decisions on leadership objectives.Skill in oral and written communication.Skill in data analytics and negotiation. Skill in the use of Microsoft Office products. Ability to research information and analyze/synthesize complex data and information to create reports and presentations with valid conclusions derived from various sources.Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion.Ability to develop and administer new policies and procedures. Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and laws.
Additional Job Details
Required Application Materials: Resume and Cover Letter
Best Consideration Date: December 29, 2025
Posting Close Date: January 17, 2026
Open Until Filled: N/A
Job Risks
Not Applicable to This Position
Financial Disclosure Required
No
For more information on Financial Disclosure, please visit Maryland's State Ethics Commission website.
For more information on Financial Disclosure, please visit Maryland's State Ethics Commission website.
Department
VPR-Research Development
Worker Sub-Type
Staff Regular
Salary Range
$155,652.00 to $186,782.40
Benefits Summary
For more information on Regular Exempt benefits, select this link.
Background Checks
Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.
Employment Eligibility
The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.
EEO Statement
The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University's Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.
Title IX Non-Discrimination Notice
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