Associate Director of Proposal Development

Job Title

Associate Director of Proposal Development

Department

Development for Foundation Relations

Worker Type

Regular

Pay Type

Salary

Position Salary Minimum

$58,000

Position Salary Maximum

$62,000

Salary will be commensurate with the level of the position, education, and experience.

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Benefit Eligible

Yes

Screening Date

2025-09-22

Job Description Summary

The Associate Director of Proposal Development plays a pivotal role in advancing the university’s fundraising success by crafting persuasive, high-quality written solicitations for individual donors, foundations, and corporations.

Job Description

The Associate Director of Proposal Development plays a pivotal role in advancing the university’s fundraising success by crafting persuasive, high-quality written solicitations for individual donors, foundations, and corporations.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Development for Foundation Relations, this position collaborates with development officers, faculty, senior administrators, and staff across the university to deliver compelling proposals that inspire investment in Miami’s mission and strategic priorities. The role requires a skilled writer, meticulous editor, and detail-oriented project manager who thrives under deadlines and consistently exceeds client expectations.

This position also works with the Senior Associate Vice President of Development; University Advancement Communications, Marketing and Events; and the Office of Research and Innovation to ensure brand and messaging alignment and grant policy compliance.

This is an opportunity to contribute to a high-performing advancement team and directly support initiatives shaping the future of Miami University and its students. Your work will help secure transformative gifts and grants that make a lasting impact.

Key Responsibilities
 

• Write, edit, and refine major gift proposals for individual donors; occasionally support grant proposals.
• Gather research and background information across diverse academic disciplines, including conducting interviews with key stakeholders.
• Partner with development staff to set expectations, define timelines, and coordinate proposal submissions.
• Ensure proposals meet quality, accuracy, and deadline expectations agreed upon with clients.
• Manage a shared donor solicitation library and maintain proposal templates.
• Track and report project progress within the team’s project management system.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and at least three years of progressively responsible writing and project management experience. Finalists will be asked to provide writing samples and may also be requested to complete a writing exercise.

Preferred Qualifications

Five or more years of client-based professional writing and project management experience in a nonprofit or higher education environment, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Exceptional customer service orientation.
• Strong organization skills with the ability to prioritize effectively and work under deadline pressure.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Mastery of editing, grammar, formatting, and common style guides (e.g., AP, Chicago).
• Collaborative approach and proven ability to work effectively in a team setting.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Familiarity with project management tools (e.g., Wrike).
• Ability to leverage Artificial Intelligence tools to enhance editing, research, and content development.

Additional Position Information (if applicable)

Required Application Documents

To be considered for this position please upload a resume and cover letter.

Special Instructions (if applicable)

None

Additional Information

A criminal background check is required. All campuses are smoke- and tobacco-free campuses.

This organization participates in E-Verify.

Remote Work
For positions that are approved for remote work: Remote work is not a right, it is a work arrangement that can be modified or revoked by Miami University at any time for any reason, including the convenience of the University.

Reasonable Accommodations
Requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities related to employment should be directed to ADAFacultyStaff@miamioh.edu or 513-529-3560. Questions and follow-ups regarding requests should also be directed here.

Miami University Values Statement
Miami University is a scholarly community whose members believe that a liberal education is grounded in qualities of character as well as of intellect. We respect the dignity of other persons, the rights and property of others, and the right of others to hold and express disparate beliefs. We believe in honesty, integrity, and the importance of moral conduct. We defend the freedom of inquiry that is the heart of learning and combine that freedom with the exercise of judgment and the acceptance of personal responsibility.

For more information on Miami University’s mission and core values, please visit the Mission and Core Values webpage.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement
Miami University, an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, encourages applications from protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Miami University prohibits harassment, discrimination and retaliation on the basis of age (40 years or older), color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin (ancestry), pregnancy, race, religion, sex/gender, status as a parent or foster parent, sexual orientation, or protected veteran status in its application and admission processes, educational programs and activities, facilities, programs or employment practices. Requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities related to employment should be directed to ADAFacultyStaff@miamioh.edu or 513-529-3560.

Clery Act
As part of the University’s commitment to maintaining a healthy and safe living, learning, and working environment, we encourage you to read Miami University’s Annual Security & Fire Safety Report at: http://www.MiamiOH.edu/campus-safety/annual-report/index.html, which contains information about campus safety, crime statistics, and our drug and alcohol abuse and prevention program designed to prevent the unlawful possession, use, and distribution of drugs and alcohol on campus and at university events and activities. This report also contains information on programs and policies designed to prevent and address sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Each year, email notification of this website is made to all faculty, staff, and enrolled students. Written notification is also provided to prospective students and employees. Hard copies of the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report may be obtained from the Miami University Police Department at 513-529-2223.

Labor Law Posters for Applicants

Please visit our Labor Law Posters webpage to access all relevant and applicable labor law information.