Proposal Development Specialist

Proposal Development Specialist Job ID: 13752

Location: El Paso, TX

Full/Part Time: Full Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

About UTEP The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is a comprehensive public research university that is increasing access to excellent higher education. We advance discovery of public value and positively impact the health, culture, education, and economy of the community we serve.UTEP is America's leading Hispanic-serving university. Located at the westernmost tip of Texas, where three states and two countries converge along the Rio Grande, 85% of our 25,000 students are Hispanic, and half are the first in their families to go to college. UTEP offers 170 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs at the only open-access, top-tier research university in America.About the Division of Research & InnovationThe Research & Innovation division supports this world-class research enterprise by advancing transformative research excellence across campus and nurturing an innovative, cross-disciplinary culture. In all our work, we maintain a constant focus on our public mission of increasing access to excellent higher education and advancing discovery that positively impacts the health, culture, education, and economy of our region, the State of Texas, the nation, and the world. We do so by enabling the research success of our faculty and students through supporting the university research mission by providing research development, stewardship, compliance and safety services, and securing strategic external partnerships.

Position Information Hiring Department: Research & Innovation

Posting End Date: Open until filled. This posting may close once a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.

Hours: 40 hours per week, standard Monday- Friday 8:00am- 5:00pm, flexibility is required on evenings and weekends

FLSA status: Exempt

Earliest Start Date: As soon as possible

Salary: $65,000 annually

Required Application Materials:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of three references

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

The primary accountabilities are intended to describe the general content of and requirements of this position and are not intended to be an exhaustive statement of duties. Incumbents may perform all or some of the primary accountabilities listed. Specific tasks or responsibilities will be documented in the incumbents' performance objectives as outlined by the incumbents' immediate supervisor or manager. This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information. A valid driver's license issued by the State where the applicant resides and insurability as defined in UTS 157 may be required to perform the position's essential functions.

Purpose of Position Summary: The Proposal Development Specialist advances UTEP's research visibility and faculty recognition by combining proposal development support with strategic communications. This position is responsible for shaping compelling research narratives across digital, print, and video channels; leading communications such as weekly and quarterly bulletins; and managing award and recognition initiatives that highlight faculty excellence. The role supports faculty nominations for internal awards, as well as external prestigious and highly prestigious honorific awards, while also serving as a backup for early-career award support in coordination with the Early Career Lead. Success requires the ability to create content that is not only clear and accurate but also engaging, impactful, and accessible to diverse audiences, demonstrating the regional, national, and international significance of UTEP's research.

Essential Functions

Proposal and Faculty Support

• Guide faculty in preparing competitive grant proposals, including review of announcements, development of checklists, strategy sessions, and feedback on drafts.
• Draft and edit non-technical proposal components such as institutional letters and broader impact statements.
• Coordinate internal and external proposal reviews and support resubmission planning.

Marketing and Communications

• Lead weekly communications, including bulletins, funding calls, award announcements, and event promotions.
• Produce the quarterly Research & Innovation bulletin and the annual magazine featuring honorifics, research impact stories, and divisional accomplishments.
• Develop compelling, audience-specific content for websites, one-pagers, guides, promotional campaigns, and event materials.
• Write narratives that engage faculty, funders, policymakers, and the public by highlighting the broader impact of research at regional, national, and international levels.
• Collaborate with MarComm and campus partners to ensure alignment with UTEP's brand and messaging.
• Track engagement with communications products and apply analytics to strengthen reach and effectiveness

Honorifics and Recognition

• Identify, track, and support faculty candidates for internal awards as well as external prestigious and highly prestigious awards and fellowships.
• Serve as backup support for early-career awards, working closely with the Early Career Lead to coordinate outreach, resources, and candidate engagement.
• Coordinate internal and external reviews of nomination materials, tracking feedback, and supporting revisions.
• Coordinate nomination materials, including letters, dossiers, and supporting documentation.
• Manage recognition events, including the R&I Honorific Awards Celebration, Pioneering Researchers' Reception, and contributions to the President's Grant Awards Dinner.
• Maintain systems to track nominations, outcomes, and measure return on investment (ROI).
• Facilitate workshops and outreach to raise awareness of honorific opportunities and provide practical guidance.

Events and Faculty Development

• Support planning and execution of Research & Innovation events, including workshops, learning opportunities, and recognition receptions.
• Engage with Associate Deans for Research, department chairs, and faculty to promote programming and gather input.

Supervisory Responsibilities: No supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Required Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's Degree

and Experience: 3-5 years of experience in higher education, research development, sponsored programs, or nonprofit grants management.Demonstrated success in writing and editing content that is clear, compelling, and engaging for diverse audiences.Professional experience in communications, marketing, or content strategy with proven ability to convey impact at regional, national, and international levels.Strong organizational, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments and communicate with diverse audiences.Experience designing or delivering workshops, training, or outreach for faculty or professional audiences.Familiarity with data tools for retrieving, analyzing, and managing information on research and awards.Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ability to learn new platforms, databases, and content tools.

Additional Information The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, and crouch. The employee must frequently use hands to feel, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to lift and move up to 25 pounds.The noise level for this work environment is usually moderate.In keeping with its access, excellence and impact mission, The University of Texas at El Paso is committed to an open, diverse, and inclusive learning and working environment that honors the talents, respects the differences, and nurtures the growth and development of all. We seek to attract faculty and staff who share our commitment.The University of Texas at El Paso is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity in employment or the provision of services in accordance with state and federal law. Discrimination on the basis of sex includes an employee's or prospective employee's right to be free from sexual harassment under Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972. Inquiries-including the filing of a Formal Complaint or reporting an incident-about the application of Title IX may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, who can be reached by phone at (915) 747-8358, by email at titleix@utep.edu, or by mail at 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX, Kelly Hall, Room 312.For accommodation information for employees and applicants with disabilities, please contact UTEP's Equal Opportunity Office at eoaa@utep.edu. To apply, visit https://zahr-prd-candidate-ada.utshare.utsystem.edu/psp/ZAHRPRDADA/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=2&JobOpeningId=13752&PostingSeq=1 jeid-9ebdf2e999176e47b8d24d755f999f60