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 our 200+ clients a unique blend of comprehensive grant consulting, strategic advising, and government relations services. Specifically, McAllister & Quinn equips clients with the knowledge and expertise to pursue federal and private foundation funding opportunities that align with their organizational priorities. We support clients’ strategic positioning efforts, help craft competitive applications, develop and expand funding streams through the congressional appropriations process, and facilitate public-private and international partnerships that advance their missions. 

We are committed to securing transformational funding for our clients and the communities and missions they serve. The impact of our work motivates us and is central to why we do what we do. We know that our success can lead to better outcomes, changed lives, and a more equitable society for generations to come. 

Research University Practice 

Our Research Universities Practice supports sponsored research activities at public and private R1 and R2 institutions. We help research universities compete for diverse funding opportunities, engage and train cohorts of faculty, support federal agency engagement and partnership development, and implement positioning strategies informed by strategic intelligence.

As a Managing Director, you will lead client engagements and serve as a strategic advisor to university leadership, faculty, and research development teams. Working collaboratively, 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 

The Managing Director leads research development services and deliverables in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. This role requires clear communication and a proactive approach to problem-solving, enabling you to build strong client relationships and deliver consistent, high-quality results. Key responsibilities include: 

Research Development and Strategic Consulting: 

• 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 <20% travel). 

Requirements and Qualifications:

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. 

At McAllister & Quinn, we’re challenging the status quo. When we bring together different perspectives, we open ourselves to new possibilities, inspire innovation, and unlock the full potential of our people. We’re building an employee experience and culture of engagement that emphasizes appreciation, belonging, growth, and purpose for everyone on our team. 

Application Instructions 

Please submit a detailed letter of application describing your qualifications and relevant experience for the position, along with a current resume, in a single PDF file to the HR Department at [email protected].