Proposal Research Project Manager (Level I, II or III) - College of Engineering

Job Description

Position Summary:

The pre-award Proposal Research Project Manager (RPM) supports college faculty and researchers by coordinating competitive grant and contract applications for federal, state, local, foundation, and commercial funding. This role ensures the accurate and timely preparation of budget and proposals in compliance with relevant regulations and sponsor requirements. They serve as a trusted resource for extramural funding, staying current on university to federal regulations, funding agency guidelines, as well as application processes and submission portals.

The ideal candidate will possess excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, strong writing ability, and the capacity to learn quickly. Strong interpersonal skills are essential, as the RPM will build collaborative relationships with stakeholders in central university offices, including the Office of Sponsored Programs, as well as with college and department leaders, faculty, research staff, administrators, and team members. The RPM must be a proactive self-starter, skilled in problem-solving, managing competing priorities, while demonstrating a strong work ethic and commitment to delivering high-quality results.

This position does not participate in the scientific research of any project.

The Proposal Research Project Manager reports to the Director of Pre-award Support in the Walter Scott, Jr, College of Engineering at the Colorado State University.

The individual selected for the position will be classified into one of the following levels based on education and experience:

• RPM Level 1: $70,970-$72,825 per year
• RPM Level 2: $72,925-$75,900 per year
• RPM Level 3 : $76,000-$80,210 per year

Remote work is negotiable depending on the experience of the candidate. Remote work candidates will be considered, however periodic on-campus presence may be necessary (e.g. staff retreat) but not on a regular basis. Therefore, candidates are expected to commute to Fort Collins when necessary.

Full Consideration Date: This position will remain open until filled, but for full consideration please submit a complete application by 11:59 pm Mountain Time on October 25, 2026.

Work Unit:

The Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering (WSCOE) at Colorado State University (CSU) consists of about 3,000 students enrolled in BS, MS, and PhD programs, 145 tenure-track and non-tenure-track faculty, and over 400 support staff and research scientists.

The Engineering Research Business Office (RBO) provides coordination and direct support for the management of federal, state, and commercial grants and contracts for research groups within the college. RBO supports management decisions at all college levels with accurate and timely data accounting for compliance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations.

Essential Job Duties:

Proposal Submissions:

• Researches and coordinates preparation of scientific research proposals to federal sponsors including, but not limited to, the National Science Foundation(NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Energy (DOE), the Department of Defense (DOD), and the National Park Service.
• Prepares proposals for state, local, and international government funding.
• Prepares proposals for industry, foundation, non-profit, and other potential sponsors.
• Investigates availability of funding programs, and research submission, compliance, and project cost share requirements.
• Consults with sponsor representatives.
• Prepares proposal budgets and draft budget justifications, ensuring compliance with application requirements including allowability and allocability of anticipated costs.
• Coordinates and recommends solutions for project cost share requirements.
• Coordinates budget and application requirements across multiple CSU colleges and/or other institutions for collaborative projects.
• Coordinates directly with the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) to meet submission requirements.
• Reviews funding opportunity requirements and communicates them to PIs, college leadership, and the Office of Sponsored Programs as needed. Ensures that any unusual requirements are reviewed by the appropriate individuals/departments in advance of proposal submission.
• Builds collaborative relationships with various parties both within and outside of the college.
• Maintains a strong working knowledge of various required software programs used throughout our processes. These currently include Kuali Research Proposal Development (KRPD), and Smartsheet, as well as various sponsor portals and templates.

Project/Financial Management:

• RPMs sometimes also manage small post award portfolios to round out their research administration experience.

Professional Development:

• Participates in NCURA professional meetings and/or other professional growth opportunities to promote improved job knowledge and performance.
• Stays updated on university financial rules to ensure that budget preparation is done accurately.
• Assists the college in adjusting to sponsor changes by reviewing announcements, attending trainings, and collaborating with colleagues.
• Collaborates with peers to improve internal systems. This may involve learning about features and limitations of various software tools in order to recommend improvements.

Other duties as assigned

Conditions of Employment:

• Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires).
• Legally authorized to work in the United States by the proposal start date. The department will not sponsor a visa for this position.

Supervision:

None

Minimum Education and Experience:

RPM Level I:

• Bachelor’s Degree. In lieu of Bachelor’s Degree, a high school diploma plus the following are also acceptable:
  • eight (8) years of relevant work experience, OR
  • a Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or Certified Pre-Award Administrator (CPRA) certification.
• Two (2) years of related professional experience.

RPM Level II:

• Bachelor’s Degree. In lieu of Bachelor’s Degree, a high school diploma plus the following are also acceptable:
  • eight (8) years of relevant work experience, OR
  • a Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or Certified Pre-Award Administrator (CPRA) certification.
• Two (2) years of related professional experience plus three (3) years of research administration experience, including but not limited to proposal submissions, project management, and/or financial management.

RPM Level III:

• Bachelor’s Degree. In lieu of Bachelor’s Degree, a high school diploma plus the following are also acceptable:
  • eight (8) years of relevant work experience, OR
  • a Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or Certified Pre-Award Administrator (CPRA) certification.
• Five (5+) plus years of research administration experience, including but not limited to proposal submissions, project management, and/or financial management.
• Emphasis on pre-award experience, including but not limited to complex proposals involving cost share, multiple sub-awards, a wide variety of agencies, detailed spreadsheets and budget presentations, compliance with Uniform Guidance and/or agency policies, etc.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated time management skills are essential to meeting critical deadlines and managing priority changes.
• Advanced knowledge of office productivity software including MS Office; proficiency in development of complex formulas and pivot tables in Excel or similar spreadsheet software for report preparation; and data retrieval or other database management software (e.g., Oracle, Access, Smartsheet); and Adobe Acrobat.
• Experience with making financial decisions based on Federal Cost Accounting Standards and Uniform Guidance.
• Experience working in a higher education setting.
• Financial management experience including forecasting, personnel planning, tracking expenditures and re-budgeting.
• Experience with administrative activities associated with the scientific research process lifecycle.
• Experience with Kuali Research Proposal Development (KRPD) and Kuali Financial System (KFS) systems or similar proposal budgeting and financial management software.
• Experience with the preparation of scientific research proposals including budget development with multiple federal and non-federal funding agencies and respective proposal submission portals.
• Certification in Research Administration such as Certified Research Administrator (CRA), Certified Pre-Award Administrator (CPRA), and/or Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA).
• Experience building strong work relationships with customers based on subject-matter knowledge and the ability to effectively communicate with a wide variety of customers/colleagues.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative to problem solve through researching information and communication with resources/connections.

Salary Range

Level I: $70,970-$72,825
Level II: $72,925-$75,900
Level III: $76,000-$80,210

Required Application Documents

To apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Cover Letter, Resume/CV

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

• Review our detailed benefits information here.

• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.

• Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

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Inspired by its land-grant heritage, Colorado State University is committed to excellence and engagement, setting the standard for public research universities in teaching, research, service and extension for the benefit of the citizens of Colorado, the United States, and the world.

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