University of Maryland
Federal Engagement/Research Development Program Director
🇺🇸 College Park, MD
🕑 Full-Time
💰 $153K - $183K
💻 Other
🗓️ December 24th, 2025
Edtech.com's Summary
University of Maryland College Park (UMCP) is hiring a Federal Engagement/Research Development Program Director. This role requires developing and executing strategies to identify federal funding opportunities aligned with UMD's initiatives, collaborating with investigators to create competitive proposals, and fostering growth through engagement with agencies like the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, NASA, and NIH. The director will also enhance competitiveness via business development and strategic planning to support UMD's goal of sustaining research growth toward $1B in external awards.
Highlights
- Develops and implements strategies to identify federal research funding aligned with UMD priorities.
- Focuses on engagement with federal agencies such as DOD, DOE, NASA, and NIH to expand research capabilities.
- Supports faculty and teams in shaping competitive funding proposals through business development and partnership management.
- Requires deep knowledge of federal funding environments, mechanisms, and agency processes.
- Minimum education: Master's degree; minimum 10 years of professional program management experience.
- Experience: At least 8 years in research, proposal development, federal or business development, and program leadership; 2+ years in higher education research development preferred.
- Skills in data analytics, negotiation, oral and written communication, and Microsoft Office are essential.
- Salary range: $152,652 to $183,182 annually.
- Physical demands include sedentary office work with ability to attend meetings on and off campus.
- Position is full-time and requires completion of a background check and employment eligibility verification.
Federal Engagement/Research Development Program Director Full Description
Job Description Summary
Organizational 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 Federal Engagement/Research Development Program Director will develop and execute strategies to identify opportunities from federal funding agencies consistent with UMD strategic initiatives, research capabilities, programmatic strengths, and will catalyze and shape competitive responses from UMD investigators. A particular focus will be supporting the growth of UMD's research capabilities through deep institutional engagement with the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, NASA, and/or National Institutes of Health.
The Federal Engagement/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
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 Federal Engagement/Research Development Program Director will develop and execute strategies to identify opportunities from federal funding agencies consistent with UMD strategic initiatives, research capabilities, programmatic strengths, and will catalyze and shape competitive responses from UMD investigators. A particular focus will be supporting the growth of UMD's research capabilities through deep institutional engagement with the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, NASA, and/or National Institutes of Health.
The Federal Engagement/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: January 10, 2026
Posting Close Date: January 24, 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
$152,652.00 to $183,182.00
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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