Managing Director, Research University Practice

About McAllister & Quinn McAllister & Quinn is a federal research development consulting and government relations firm headquartered in Washington, D.C. We offer more than 200 clients a unique blend of comprehensive grant consulting, strategic advising, and government relations services. Our focus is on helping clients pursue federal and private foundation funding opportunities that align with their organizational priorities, craft competitive applications, expand funding streams through the congressional appropriations process, and facilitate public‑private and international partnerships. About the Role As a Managing Director, you will lead client engagements and serve as a strategic advisor to university leadership, faculty, and research development teams. You will design and implement funding strategies, guide proposal development, support federal agency engagement, contribute to capacity‑building initiatives, and help clients secure major awards. Primary Duties and Responsibilities Partner with university leadership to identify priorities and align them with external funding opportunities. Develop actionable funding strategies and collaborate on execution plans. Maintain extensive knowledge of federal grant programs and trends, and advise clients on positioning and competitiveness. Guide faculty and teams in developing and executing funding concepts and pursuit strategies. Lead complex proposal development efforts, including large, multi‑institutional grants (20M+). Design and deliver tailored capacity‑building, strategic intelligence, and agency engagement services. Coordinate consultant teams to deliver high‑quality services. Client and Project Management Serve as the primary client contact and trusted advisor. Oversee the strategic planning and execution of work plans, including project timelines, deliverables, and quality standards. Maintain strong, responsive client relationships. Engage with clients on site and participate in industry conferences (approximately Requirements Minimum Requirements Master’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience. 8+ years of experience in research development, sponsored programs, federal funding, or related work. Familiarity with research programs across one or more federal agencies (DoD, DOE, NIH, USDA, DOC, NASA, NSF). Strong client management and stakeholder engagement skills. Proven ability to manage multiple projects and priorities. Strong research, analytical, writing, and editing skills. Ability to communicate technical content clearly to different audiences. Proficiency in Microsoft 365. Preferred Requirements Direct experience working with faculty, federal agencies, and federal research grants or contracts. Experience working with R1/R2 research institutions. Experience leading large‑scale or center‑level proposals, including the strategic positioning of research teams and federal agency engagement. Project management certification (PMP, APMP, or similar). Experience in consulting or client‑facing advisory roles. Compensation and Benefits Normal work hours are 8:30 am through 5:30 pm Monday through Friday EST. Location: Remote or in‑office (Washington, D.C.). Negotiable: The firm standard is in‑office presence for collaboration days, Tuesday through Thursday. Competitive 401(k), healthcare, dental, life insurance, long‑term disability, dependent care FSA, HSA/FSA, and transit benefits. Salary will be commensurate with experience, with a starting annual base salary of $110,000; employees are eligible for a bonus after one year of continuous service. Flexible vacation and leave policy. #J-18808-Ljbffr McAllister & Quinn