Senior Program Manager, Center for National Security Initiative

Job Summary

The Research & Innovation Office (RIO) at the University of Colorado Boulder welcomes applications for a Senior Program Manager, in the Center for National Security Initiative (CNSI) who will support efforts to enhance the campus national security-related research enterprise. This position will report directly to the Executive Director, National Security Initiative (NSI). This position is responsible for developing the capture strategy, identifying business opportunities, and preparing and implementing strategic proposals associated with growing the National Security research portfolio.

This role will lead and drive the NSI business capture processes in concert with the NSI Executive Associate Director, NSI Faculty Director, University staff and appropriate faculty Primary Investigators (PIs). They will build, identify, pursue, develop, and bid research proposals in support of national defense, aerospace and defense industry partners in high-priority mission areas that bring to bear CU Boulder's core research strengths including Hypersonics; Space Domain Awareness; Positioning, Navigation, and Timing; Autonomous Systems, Quantum Sensing, RF Engineering, and Materials Science. This position provides an outstanding opportunity to apply the breadth of resources available in the new NSI organization to critical research and development challenges across the national security community.

The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The University of Colorado Boulder’s Research and Innovation Office (RIO) is the central point for support and advocacy for CU Boulder’s extraordinary scholarship, creative work, and growing research enterprise.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Program Management

• Direct activities in response to sponsored research requirements, while managing faculty, staff and sponsor expectations.
• Lead and facilitate proposal management activities in support of RFP, RFQ, Task Order, RFI response as well as unsolicited proposals; duties include crafting response templates, managing proposal schedules, developing pricing and budget, developing executive summaries, desktop publishing, and production support for final submission of proposals.
• Provide recommended prioritization of new sponsored research opportunities to the leadership team. Direct the work of Research Associates and staff supporting contract execution.
• Manage cost, schedule, reporting, and requirements of fundamental and applied research programs. Ensure program requirements, purposes, objectives and expectations are communicated and flowed down to the internal team and subcontractors.
• Ensure that projects are aligned with university policy and regulatory requirements in such areas as Export Control Restricted Research and Conflict of Interest.
• Primary contract for business and government sponsors across multiple projects, proactively communicating project risk/obstacles, and developing risk mitigation strategies and plans.
• Advise and mentor junior Program Managers and interns.

Business Development

• Work with the NSI Executive Associate Director, NSI Faculty Director, key staff, and faculty to develop and implement coordinated business development, capture, and proposal strategy that clearly highlights CU Boulder’s core strengths and a clear value proposition to national security research partners. Develop training materials to ensure enduring growth of the R&D portfolio.
• Shape opportunities and the CU Boulder competitive position throughout the opportunity lifecycle, understand and communicate key issues and R&D priorities regarding DOD and national security organizations, and develop action plans to address areas of the highest interest.
• Provide guidance for capture activities, from customer concept development through bid and award, to the NSI executive team, staff, and CU Boulder researchers. Manage effective execution of capture pursuits and communicate status to leadership.
• Lead all aspects of win theme development, solutions development, competitive assessments, teaming strategies, pricing strategy, communications plans, and action plans for new opportunities.
• Establish and bring to bear a professional network with key customers, influencers, and executive decision-makers in the national security community and gain insight into strategic direction, policies, R&D priorities, allocated budgets, and plans.

What You Should Know

• This is an in-person position. Travel out-of-state will be required. Irregular work hours including evenings and weekends may be required.
• May need to be able to acquire a security clearance at a future date.
• All University of Colorado Boulder employees are required to comply with the campus COVID-19 vaccine requirement . New employees must provide proof of vaccination or receive a medical or religious exemption within 30 days of employment.

What We Can Offer

The salary range for this position is $110,000 - $150,000 annually. Relocation and signing bonus are available.

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits , including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder .

Be Statements
Be ambitious. Be game-changing. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• Master’s degree in science, engineering, business, management, or related field or an equivalent combination or education and/or experience.
• Ten years of experience in Federal Business Development and/or Strategic Capture and Proposal Management.
• Due to requirements to access export-controlled data and information, only U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (green cards), or other protected individuals (i.e., persons designated as an asylee, refugee, or a temporary resident under amnesty provisions) may apply.
• Current active national security clearance or the ability to acquire national security clearance.

What You Will Need

• Demonstrated record of success and credibility within both the national security and academic communities.
• Current knowledge and experience in the business development process lifecycle from the identification of an opportunity through capture and bid.
• Demonstrated administrative and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to work within a sophisticated, dynamic, matrixed structure across colleges and university administration.

What We Would Like You To Have

• Two years of experience working in a collaborative and interdisciplinary role at, or with, an academic institution.
• Program management and/or Contracting experience in the Federal Government or Industry.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. A current resume.
2. A cover letter that specifically addresses how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications and responsibilities of the position.

You will not be asked to upload references at this time.

Please apply by 8/10/2022 for first consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs .

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources

Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu