Team AURA doesn’t just deliver; we soar

Summary/Objective

AURA Network Systems is seeking a Senior Grants & Proposal Specialist to support our Business Development initiatives by responding to government and commercial solicitations and funding opportunities related to AURA’s service and product offerings in the aviation sector. Position location preference is in the Washington, DC area, but remote positions will be considered.

The ideal candidate enjoys diving deep into complex problems, works effectively with cross-functional teams and thrives in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. This professional will be a key business partner to the Business Development team.

Why we need you – The Mission

The Grants & Proposal Specialist will be responsible for coordinating cross-functional teams, managing the entire grant and proposal process: from proposal preparation to contract execution to handoff to AURA’s Customer Solutions team. The individual will lead the proposal preparation process, assuring quality and compliance of proposal submissions; and will, in collaboration with others on the Business Development team, identify/qualify funding opportunities from BAAs, NOFOs, SBIRs, and other relevant federal and commercial programs.

The Grants & Proposal Specialist will report to the VP of Business Development and work closely with key functional area leads throughout the proposal process, informing staff on status, schedules, and issues remaining for completion. The employee will participate in internal weekly business development review meetings, manage a proposal content repository (e.g., resumes, executive summaries, statement of qualifications, past projects, references, lessons learned and proposal archive), track proposal activity, and provide related support as needed.

Upon notification of award, the Grants & Proposal Specialist will coordinate review and execution of final contract documents and will provide necessary information to the AURA team to prepare for kickoff. The employee will manage the handoff to AURA’s Customer Solutions team for the execution phase.

In addition, the individual will help the company identify new grant funding and RFx opportunities, leveraging existing tools or recommending new tools. The individual will also support engagement with subcontractors for proposal input and artifacts, as required, and will help the Business Development team in closing teaming partner subcontracting agreements.

What you will Accomplish – Your Performance Objectives

Primary Job Responsibilities

The Grants & Proposal Specialist will be responsible for multiple functions which may include, but are not limited to:

• Identify grant funding and RFP opportunity tracking and management

• Work with VP of Business Development to identify grant funding opportunities, RFIs and RFPs and optimize the process for working with cross-functional departments to align on go/no go decision-making.

• Create and maintain a schedule for when the notice of funding opportunities will be published.

• Leverage HubSpot CRM or other proposal management tools to manage proposal pipeline and development status.

Bid team management and coordination:

• Plan, assign, and manage proposal team member tasks and track progress through regular check-ins with teammates and draft document reviews.

• Develop and manage proposal development schedule including time for solution development, writing, review, revision, formatting, editing, production, and delivery.

• Coordinate with VP of Business Development and Legal to develop and secure teaming partner and sub-contractor agreements as necessary.

• Coordinate with VP of Business Development and Finance to create budget estimates and pricing proposals, consistent with the bid cost detail requirements. Additionally, review with accounting/billing requirements specific to the proposed engagement.

Deliverable management and development:

• Work with Business Development team to develop compelling narratives and key win themes and to engage teaming partners that will help secure the grant or RFP award.

• Assemble grant application content, proposal outlines, compliance matrices and submission schedules, which will provide direction to cross-functional teams assigned to work proposal efforts in a timely manner.

• Review proposal sections developed by members of proposal teams, providing guidance and recommendations, and editing sections as appropriate.

• Support technical teams in documenting the solution approach and ensure the solution is described effectively in proposals.

• Develop, assemble, and format proposal documents, integrating proposal sections assigned to cross-functional team members and partner organizations.

• Contribute to writing, reviewing, and formatting all parts of proposals, including executive summary, technical sections, project management plans, past performance project references, staffing, and pricing sections.

• Ensure that the final submission is a high quality, complete and cohesive package that is compliant with the grant or RFx instructions and delivered on-time.

• Develop and maintain a content repository to support the quick turnaround of grant application and RFx responses.

Quality control, approvals and knowledge management:

• Document that all internal reviews have been completed and that necessary approvals have been given prior to proposal submission

• Ensure that every submission is high quality and underscores AURA’s professionalism and commitment to quality

• Ensure proposals are compliant with and focused on RFx evaluation criteria.

• Update and maintain business development knowledge management systems and customer relationship management (CRM) systems.

Post-submission management:

• Track the proposal status post-submission and update internal team as necessary.

• Prepare for contract award by updating relevant stakeholders on any changes to project requirements.

• Ensure tracking templates are up to date so that internal stakeholders can easily reference requirements pre-award.

• Shepherd contract through required internal reviews and execution, identifying and resolving any issues in collaboration with relevant team members.

• Collaborate with Business Development team to prepare for project kick-off and hand-off to customer solutions team.

• Provide information as necessary post-award regarding contract execution instructions.

• Continuously review and solicit feedback on proposal management process to ensure optimal workflows and output.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Competencies, Skills, Abilities, Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.

• At least 4 years of grant and proposal management experience; experience in developing proposals in response to grants and RFx solicitations from federal, state, and local government agencies is preferred.

• Specific experience working with DOT/FAA, NASA, DOD, or DHS is preferred.

• Strong knowledge of the federal, state, and local funding cycles and contracting process.

• Knowledge of the telecommunications, aerospace & aviation, transportation or defense industries is desired; experience with the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Advanced Air Mobility industries is a plus.

• Excellent reading, writing, copy-editing, and communication skills.

• Strong working knowledge of MS Office Suite and the ability to create high-quality marketing materials, proposals, and documents with short turn-around times.

• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks, as well as collaborate with multiple stakeholders, under tight deadlines, in a positive manner.

• Strong attention to detail and ability to efficiently organize and self-manage.

• Proven ability to lead, manage and support large-scale and complex RFPs.

• Ability to maintain a high level of work output in an ever-changing environment.

• Experience with grant and solicitation search tools.

• Experience with Jira and Confluence is a plus.

How we work – The Core Values That Define Our Culture

• One AURA: By thinking beyond myself, my department, my product.

• Entrepreneurial: A cutting-edge aviation technological environment focused on innovation, out-of-the-box ideas, and thinking.

• A collaborative team that both relies upon and supports each other.

• Find a Better Way: For today and tomorrow (when we are twice the current size!)

• Assume Positive Intent: Through interactions, healthy conflict, opportunities, and different points of view.

• Driven to Exceed: We take pride in our work and exceed expectations.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position does not have supervisory responsibility.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position may require long periods of sitting and looking at a computer screen, using the phone and other technology. At times, may need to lift 15 plus pounds.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position, with core work hours of 9:00 am – 6:00 pm, with flexibility.

Travel

This position requires domestic travel for AURA’s all-staff quarterly planning meetings and may also require minimal domestic travel based on business needs.

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