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Federal Proposal Writing Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

Monitor Federal and SLED procurement sources, forecasts, recompetes, RFIs, Sources Sought notices ... Strong writing, editing, research, organization, and project-management skills. * Ability to assess ...

Proposal Manager

Phoenix, AZ · On-site +1

$86K - $133K/yr

... written materials that engage clients and drive results. The role of an individual contributor ... federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please ...

Knowledge of budget preparation and grant/proposal writing and administration. * Knowledge of tribal, federal and state accounting, purchasing, auditing and human resources policies and procedures.

Showing results 21-40

Federal Proposal Writing information

What is federal proposal writing?

Federal proposal writing is the process of preparing and submitting detailed documents to government agencies in response to requests for proposals (RFPs) or other solicitations. This role involves understanding government requirements, outlining solutions, and demonstrating a company’s qualifications, pricing, and compliance. Effective federal proposal writers ensure that submissions are clear, persuasive, and adhere strictly to the guidelines set by the government. Their work is critical in helping organizations secure government contracts and funding.

What are some common challenges faced by federal proposal writers and how can they be addressed?

Federal proposal writers often encounter tight deadlines, complex compliance requirements, and the need to coordinate input from multiple departments. Managing these challenges requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and effective communication. Utilizing standardized templates, maintaining a compliance checklist, and scheduling regular meetings with subject matter experts can help streamline the process and ensure submissions meet all necessary guidelines.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a federal proposal writer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Federal Proposal Writer, you need strong research, writing, and project management skills, often supported by experience with government contracting and a background in English, communications, or a related field. Familiarity with federal acquisition regulations (FAR), proposal management software like Deltek or Salesforce, and compliance documentation is typically required. Exceptional attention to detail, time management, and collaboration skills help candidates stand out in this deadline-driven role. These competencies ensure proposals are compelling, compliant, and submitted on time—crucial for winning government contracts.

What is the difference between Federal Proposal Writing vs Contract Specialist?

AspectFederal Proposal WritingContract Specialist
CredentialsProposal development certifications, writing skillsContract management certifications, legal knowledge
Work EnvironmentGovernment agencies, consulting firmsGovernment agencies, private sector companies
Industry UsageFederal contracting, grant proposalsContract administration, compliance

Federal Proposal Writers focus on creating compelling proposals to secure government contracts, emphasizing writing and strategic communication. Contract Specialists handle the administration, negotiation, and compliance of contracts post-award. While both roles work within government contracting, proposal writers are primarily involved in the bid process, whereas contract specialists manage ongoing contract execution.

Are federal proposal writers in demand?

Federal proposal writers are in demand due to the ongoing need for government agencies to procure services and products through competitive bidding. Strong writing skills, knowledge of government regulations, and experience with proposal management tools increase job prospects in this field.

How to become a federal proposal writer?

To become a federal proposal writer, develop strong writing, research, and project management skills, often through a bachelor's degree in a related field such as business, communications, or government. Gaining experience with government procurement processes, proposal development, and familiarity with tools like Microsoft Office and proposal management software can be beneficial. Certifications like the Certified Federal Proposal Manager (CFPM) can also enhance credibility and job prospects.
Infographic showing various Federal Proposal Writing job openings in Arizona as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, and 9% Part Time. Highlights an 79% In-person, 7% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution.

Technical Senior Proposal Manager

Arizona State University

Tempe, AZ • On-site

$71K - $110K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 7 days ago


Arizona State University rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 88 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

262nd of 620 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Job Profile:
Research Development Specialist 3
Job Family:
Research Development
Time Type:
Full time
Apply before 11:59 PM Arizona time the day before the posted End Date.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree and five (5) years of experience appropriate to the area of assignment/field; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or training from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.
Job Profile Summary:
Takes a lead role in facilitating capacity-building activities, collaborating with central research administrations to develop and implement strategic initiatives that elevate the institution's overall competitiveness for extramural research funding.
Job Description:
Salary Range: $71,500 - $110,000 per year; DOE
Job Description
The Knowledge Enterprise (KE) Research Development Office (RD) at Arizona State University seeks a collaborative, strategic, and highly skilled Technical Senior Proposal Manager to support the development of competitive research proposals that advance ASU's growing health research enterprise.
As a member of the Research Development Proposal Management team, this position will work in close partnership with the Assistant Vice President for Research, Health Strategy, and the Director of Health Strategy to advance interdisciplinary health research across the university. The Proposal Manager will provide comprehensive support for proposal development to faculty pursuing externally funded research in health-related fields, including clinical research, serving as both a strategic proposal manager and a writing partner throughout the proposal development lifecycle. As institutional priorities evolve, the position will flex between health-focused initiatives and broader proposal development efforts supporting faculty across ASU.
The Proposal Manager will collaborate extensively with colleagues across the Office of the Vice President for Research, Knowledge Enterprise, ASU Health, and the broader ASU research community to deliver integrated research development services. This includes partnering with Capture Management, Faculty Development and Outreach, Opportunity Management, Research Editing, Graphic Design, the Research Development Project Management Office (RD PMO), fellow Proposal Managers, Research Administrators, and other institutional stakeholders to strengthen proposal competitiveness and support strategic research initiatives.
This position reports administratively to the Director of Proposal Management within Research Development and maintains a strategic, matrixed partnership with the Assistant Vice President for Research, Health Strategy and the Director of Health Strategy to advance ASU's institutional health research priorities.
Essential Duties
Strategic Proposal Development
  • Partner with faculty to develop highly competitive research proposals from concept development through submission.
  • Serve as both proposal manager and strategic writing partner, helping investigators strengthen project narratives, articulate innovation, and communicate scientific impact.
  • Collaborate with faculty to develop compelling research strategies aligned with sponsor priorities and institutional strengths.
  • Draft, edit, and substantially revise proposal sections including Specific Aims, Project Summaries, Research Strategies, Facilities and Resources, Letters of Support, Management Plans, Executive Summaries, and concept papers.
  • Provide scientific editing that improves clarity, organization, responsiveness, and persuasiveness while maintaining the investigators' scientific voice.
  • Translate complex scientific concepts into compelling narratives appropriate for both technical and non-technical reviewers.
  • Maintain current knowledge of the evolving federal and philanthropic funding landscape for health research.
  • Advise faculty on sponsor priorities and emerging investments in areas including, but not limited to:
    • Clinical Research
    • Food is Medicine
    • Chronic disease prevention and management
    • Healthy aging and lifespan health
    • Metabolic health
    • Precision health and personalized medicine
    • Biomedical and translational research
    • Clinical and implementation research
    • Population health and healthcare delivery
    • Rural and community health
    • Mental and behavioral health
    • Digital health and artificial intelligence
    • Biomedical data science and health informatics
    • Women's health
    • Maternal and child health
    • Environmental health
  • Partner with institutional leadership to develop proposals for strategic opportunities that advance ASU's health research portfolio and increase institutional competitiveness for large-scale federal and philanthropic funding.
Proposal Management
  • Interpret sponsor solicitations and funding announcements and translate requirements into actionable proposal development plans, communication strategies, and submission workflows.
  • Coordinate with other Proposal Managers to share workload, leverage expertise, and ensure consistent proposal development practices across Research Development.
  • Lead proposal development efforts from proposal kickoff through submission.
  • Develop proposal management plans, timelines, compliance matrices, development schedules, and submission checklists.
  • Coordinate multidisciplinary proposal teams across colleges, centers, institutes, and external collaborators.
  • Organize internal reviews, external reviews, version control, document integration, and quality assurance.
  • Monitor proposal progress and proactively manage risks to ensure high-quality, on-time submissions.
  • Collaborate with research administrators to ensure compliance with sponsor and university requirements.

Perform other duties and lead special projects as assigned in support of evolving organizational priorities, strategic initiatives, and the mission of Research Development and Knowledge Enterprise.
Desired Qualifications
  • Master's degree, Ph.D. or terminal degree in a health, biomedical, life science, nutrition, public health, engineering, or related discipline.
  • Five (5) years of experience in research proposal development, grant writing, scientific writing, research administration, or related research support.
  • At least two (2) years of experience managing complex proposal development projects.
  • Experience writing competitive proposals for NIH, USDA, NSF, CDC, PCORI, AHRQ, HRSA, ARPA-H, or major philanthropic sponsors.
  • Expertise in clinical research and/or human subjects research
  • Demonstrated excellence in scientific, technical, or grant writing and editing.
  • Experience supporting interdisciplinary research initiatives and large, multi-investigator proposals.
  • Strong proposal or project management skills with experience coordinating complex proposal development efforts.
  • Knowledge of current federal and philanthropic funding priorities related to nutrition, Food is Medicine, chronic disease prevention, biomedical innovation, precision health, digital health, and translational science.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to audiences.
  • Experience interpreting sponsor guidelines and translating requirements into actionable proposal development plans.
  • Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships with faculty, institutional leadership, and external partners.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and proposal development software.

Working Environment
  • Climate-controlled office setting subject to extended periods of being in a stationary position.
  • Regular use of a computer and other office productivity equipment, such as a calculator, copy machine, and printer.

Department Statement:
Each year since 2016, ASU has been named the most innovative school in the nation, recognizing the university's culture of groundbreaking research and partnerships, as well as its commitment to helping students thrive in college and beyond. U.S. News and World Report has named ASU as the most innovative university all eleven years the category has existed.
ASU Knowledge Enterprise advances research, innovation, strategic partnerships, entrepreneurship, and international development. Our success arises from solutions-focused, interdisciplinary research; an entrepreneurial approach that is embedded in every school and department; and a commitment to transform society in a positive way. To learn more about how Knowledge Enterprise is a place for your career to grow, visit https://research.asu.edu/about-us/careers.
At Research Development, we are dedicated to building an inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly, we encourage you to apply anyway. We value your unique background and perspective, and you may be just the right candidate for this position or other roles on our team.
Working at ASU has additional perks and outstanding benefits, which include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; sick leave and holidays; ASU/UA/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; state and optional retirement plans; access to ASU recreation and cultural activities; and more. To estimate the value of your total compensation, please visit https://cfo.asu.edu/compensation-estimator.
Driving Requirement:
Driving is not required for this position.
Location:
Campus: Tempe
Funding:
No Federal Funding
Instructions to Apply:
Current employees, student workers seeking staff opportunities, and students applying for student worker positions must apply directly through the Workday Jobs Hub.
Please use the link below to log in using single sign-on.
https://www.myworkday.com/asu/d/inst/1$9925/9925$26605.htmld
To be considered, your application must include all of the following attachments:
  • Cover letter
  • Resume or CV

Multiple documents may be uploaded in the attachments section. Alternatively, applicants may combine all required materials into a single PDF for submission. Please ensure uploaded documents are clearly labeled and include your name.
Please ensure your resume includes all employment information in month and year format, for example 6/04 to 8/14, along with job title, job duties, and employer name for each position. Your resume should clearly demonstrate how your experience and background meet the minimum and desired qualifications for this position. Incomplete applications or missing required materials may not be considered.
Important: Do not withdraw your application to make edits. Once an application is withdrawn, it cannot be edited, reactivated, or replaced with a new submission. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact The Office of Human Resources Talent Acquisition before the posting close date.
Graduate Assistant, Intern and part-time positions are counted as half time for experience equivalency, meaning one year equals six months of experience.
Only electronic applications will be accepted for this position. By submitting an application, you confirm that the information provided is accurate and complete.
ASU Statement:
Arizona State University is a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. ASU serves more than 100,000 students in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, the nation's fifth largest city. ASU champions inclusive excellence, and welcomes students from all fifty states and more than one hundred nations across the globe.
ASU is a tobacco-free university. For details visit https://wellness.asu.edu/explore-wellness/body/alcohol-and-drugs/tobacco
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.
Notice of Availability of the ASU Annual Security and Fire Safety Report:
In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf. You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.
Relocation Assistance - For information about schools, housing child resources, neighborhoods, hospitals, community events, and taxes, visit https://cfo.asu.edu/az-resources.
Employment Verification Statement:
ASU conducts pre-employment screening which may include verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications.
Background Check Statement:
ASU conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the background check.
Fingerprint Check Statement:
A fingerprint check is not required for this position.

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