Proposal Manager Jobs for OPT Students
Proposal Manager jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with backgrounds in business, communications, or technical writing. Most roles qualify as specialty occupations under OPT work authorization, and employers in government contracting, consulting, and engineering frequently sponsor H-1B visas for this position.
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Get Access To All JobsTitle: Proposal Manager
Employee Classification: Proposal Manager
Campus: University of North Texas
Division: UNT-Research & Innovation
SubDivision-Department: UNT-Research & Innovation
Department: UNT-UNT Learning Institute-190413
Job Location: Denton
Salary: Salary to commensurate with experience
FTE: 1.000000
Retirement Eligibility: TRS Eligible
About Us - Values Overview
Welcome to the University of North Texas System. The UNT System includes the University of North Texas in Denton and Frisco, the University of North Texas at Dallas and UNT Dallas College of Law, and University of North Texas Health Fort Worth. We are the only university system based exclusively in the robust Dallas-Fort Worth region. We are growing with the North Texas region, employing more than 14,000 employees, educating a record 49,000+ students across our system, and awarding nearly 12,000 degrees each year.
We are one team comprised of individuals who are committed to excellence, curiosity and innovation. We are transforming lives and creating economic opportunity through education. We champion a people-first values-based culture where We Care about each other and those we serve. We believe that we are Better Together because we foster an environment of respect, belonging, and access for all. We demonstrate Courageous Integrity through setting exceptional standards and acting in the best interest of our communities. We are encouraged to Be Curious about opportunities for learning, creating, discovering, and innovating, and are encouraged to learn from failure. Show Your Fire by joining our team and exhibiting your passion and pride in your work as part of our UNT System team.
Learn more about the UNT System and how we live our values at www.UNTSystem.edu.
Department Summary
The Learning Institute, within the Division of Research & Innovation, is a research institute focused on exploring the many dimensions of learning sciences, with the goal of using our findings to inform curricular and pedagogical practices. The institute brings together faculty, staff and students from across disciplines to understand learning phenomenon, advance student success and drive university innovation. The Learning Institute engages faculty, staff, and students through a series of opportunities: informal gatherings, seminars featuring both external and internal experts, and the facilitation of research communities and projects.
Position Overview
The Proposal Manager oversees the full life-cycle of proposal development for the Learning Institute, within the Division of Research & Innovation. The Proposal Manager manages proposal development (from the pre-proposal planning phase, through to the final proposal ready for submission) and other related support processes to ensure that the Learning Institute submits compelling and on-time proposals that meet requirements for solicitations of varying size and complexity, ranging from short-term task orders to large, multi-million dollar research projects. This position supports interdisciplinary research among the Learning Institute through familiarity with the range of scholarship represented within its membership, and then identifies and connects them with correlating external research funding opportunities to pursue, including federal grants, local foundations, and industry partnerships. Other position duties include: planning, scheduling, and management of competitive proposals; serving as proposal writer, reviewer, and editor as required; and serving as point of contact for proposal activities and communications for the assigned area. The Proposal Manager is given broad assignments and objectives that align with the strategic research initiatives of the Learning Institute; and therefore this position requires a skill-set of creativity, originality, and storytelling and to serve as a resource for others in the resolution of complex problems and issues.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in related field and two years progressively responsible experience in proposal submission activities for private, local, state or federal grants or contracts; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Demonstrated ability to use varying styles, approaches, skills, and techniques to communicate with various constituents (e.g., faculty, staff, community partners).
- Strong proposal writing experience; excellent verbal and written communication skills writing original content and editing.
- Demonstrated ability to identify key components of an RFP and use them to develop the tools needed to ensure compliance for each proposal effort.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain clear, consistent, timely, and effective communication with proposal stakeholders.
- Proven track record in management of small to large, complex proposal efforts.
Preferred Qualifications
Work experience in higher education with sponsored grant proposals
Job Duties
- Assist Principal Investigators (PI) in full life-cycle of grant proposal development activities from pre-proposal planning phase to final proposal submission. Manages proposal development for the institute including analyzing Request for Proposal (RFP) requirements, creating proposal schedules, building proposal outlines and compliance matrices, and leading effective kickoff planning and review meetings that result in timely and compelling proposal submissions. Serves as coordinator between institute team members for proposal development activities and communications for the designated area, interacting with faculty and staff from various academic and administrative departments across campus. Serves as liaison to Grants and Contracts Administration unit as required for proposal document submission.
- Assist Principal Investigators in quality proposal submissions. Connect faculty to on-campus resources and data, liaise between offices on campus, create and provide relevant templates. Coordinate and provide resources for to support visual graphics and illustrations on proposals. Writes all non-technical components of grant and contract proposals, and provides support to faculty with technical components, including editing, formatting, and proofreading of entire proposal documents prior to submission.
- Develop and maintain metrics and strategies on proposals for the assigned areas. Prospect funding opportunities, understanding and communicating the funding landscape, and partner with University leadership to increase prioritize specific external funding.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of UNT policies and procedures as well as sponsor, state, and federal regulations governing submissions of proposals for external funding. Maintain NORDP membership and professional development for Research Development Professionals to engage in best practices, and offer the most effective proposal development services to faculty.
- Connect faculty to on-campus resources and data, including education, training, workshops, and champion new faculty investigators. Liaise between offices on campus, create a repository of resources for assigned area.
Physical Requirements
- Communicating with others to exchange information.
- Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.
Environmental Hazards
- No adverse environmental conditions expected.
Work Schedule
Monday - Friday, 8am-5pm. Some evenings and weekends as needed
Driving University Vehicle
No
Security Sensitive
This is a Security Sensitive Position.
Special Instructions
Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed, additional references can be added after the application has been submitted.
Benefits
For information regarding our Benefits, click here.
EEO Statement
The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit –and takes actions to prevent – discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking), and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices, and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities. UNT System Administration promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. System Administration also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist, or participate in a related investigation or proceeding.
Title: Proposal Manager
Employee Classification: Proposal Manager
Campus: University of North Texas
Division: UNT-Research & Innovation
SubDivision-Department: UNT-Research & Innovation
Department: UNT-UNT Learning Institute-190413
Job Location: Denton
Salary: Salary to commensurate with experience
FTE: 1.000000
Retirement Eligibility: TRS Eligible
About Us - Values Overview
Welcome to the University of North Texas System. The UNT System includes the University of North Texas in Denton and Frisco, the University of North Texas at Dallas and UNT Dallas College of Law, and University of North Texas Health Fort Worth. We are the only university system based exclusively in the robust Dallas-Fort Worth region. We are growing with the North Texas region, employing more than 14,000 employees, educating a record 49,000+ students across our system, and awarding nearly 12,000 degrees each year.
We are one team comprised of individuals who are committed to excellence, curiosity and innovation. We are transforming lives and creating economic opportunity through education. We champion a people-first values-based culture where We Care about each other and those we serve. We believe that we are Better Together because we foster an environment of respect, belonging, and access for all. We demonstrate Courageous Integrity through setting exceptional standards and acting in the best interest of our communities. We are encouraged to Be Curious about opportunities for learning, creating, discovering, and innovating, and are encouraged to learn from failure. Show Your Fire by joining our team and exhibiting your passion and pride in your work as part of our UNT System team.
Learn more about the UNT System and how we live our values at www.UNTSystem.edu.
Department Summary
The Learning Institute, within the Division of Research & Innovation, is a research institute focused on exploring the many dimensions of learning sciences, with the goal of using our findings to inform curricular and pedagogical practices. The institute brings together faculty, staff and students from across disciplines to understand learning phenomenon, advance student success and drive university innovation. The Learning Institute engages faculty, staff, and students through a series of opportunities: informal gatherings, seminars featuring both external and internal experts, and the facilitation of research communities and projects.
Position Overview
The Proposal Manager oversees the full life-cycle of proposal development for the Learning Institute, within the Division of Research & Innovation. The Proposal Manager manages proposal development (from the pre-proposal planning phase, through to the final proposal ready for submission) and other related support processes to ensure that the Learning Institute submits compelling and on-time proposals that meet requirements for solicitations of varying size and complexity, ranging from short-term task orders to large, multi-million dollar research projects. This position supports interdisciplinary research among the Learning Institute through familiarity with the range of scholarship represented within its membership, and then identifies and connects them with correlating external research funding opportunities to pursue, including federal grants, local foundations, and industry partnerships. Other position duties include: planning, scheduling, and management of competitive proposals; serving as proposal writer, reviewer, and editor as required; and serving as point of contact for proposal activities and communications for the assigned area. The Proposal Manager is given broad assignments and objectives that align with the strategic research initiatives of the Learning Institute; and therefore this position requires a skill-set of creativity, originality, and storytelling and to serve as a resource for others in the resolution of complex problems and issues.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in related field and two years progressively responsible experience in proposal submission activities for private, local, state or federal grants or contracts; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Demonstrated ability to use varying styles, approaches, skills, and techniques to communicate with various constituents (e.g., faculty, staff, community partners).
- Strong proposal writing experience; excellent verbal and written communication skills writing original content and editing.
- Demonstrated ability to identify key components of an RFP and use them to develop the tools needed to ensure compliance for each proposal effort.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain clear, consistent, timely, and effective communication with proposal stakeholders.
- Proven track record in management of small to large, complex proposal efforts.
Preferred Qualifications
Work experience in higher education with sponsored grant proposals
Job Duties
- Assist Principal Investigators (PI) in full life-cycle of grant proposal development activities from pre-proposal planning phase to final proposal submission. Manages proposal development for the institute including analyzing Request for Proposal (RFP) requirements, creating proposal schedules, building proposal outlines and compliance matrices, and leading effective kickoff planning and review meetings that result in timely and compelling proposal submissions. Serves as coordinator between institute team members for proposal development activities and communications for the designated area, interacting with faculty and staff from various academic and administrative departments across campus. Serves as liaison to Grants and Contracts Administration unit as required for proposal document submission.
- Assist Principal Investigators in quality proposal submissions. Connect faculty to on-campus resources and data, liaise between offices on campus, create and provide relevant templates. Coordinate and provide resources for to support visual graphics and illustrations on proposals. Writes all non-technical components of grant and contract proposals, and provides support to faculty with technical components, including editing, formatting, and proofreading of entire proposal documents prior to submission.
- Develop and maintain metrics and strategies on proposals for the assigned areas. Prospect funding opportunities, understanding and communicating the funding landscape, and partner with University leadership to increase prioritize specific external funding.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of UNT policies and procedures as well as sponsor, state, and federal regulations governing submissions of proposals for external funding. Maintain NORDP membership and professional development for Research Development Professionals to engage in best practices, and offer the most effective proposal development services to faculty.
- Connect faculty to on-campus resources and data, including education, training, workshops, and champion new faculty investigators. Liaise between offices on campus, create a repository of resources for assigned area.
Physical Requirements
- Communicating with others to exchange information.
- Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.
Environmental Hazards
- No adverse environmental conditions expected.
Work Schedule
Monday - Friday, 8am-5pm. Some evenings and weekends as needed
Driving University Vehicle
No
Security Sensitive
This is a Security Sensitive Position.
Special Instructions
Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed, additional references can be added after the application has been submitted.
Benefits
For information regarding our Benefits, click here.
EEO Statement
The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit –and takes actions to prevent – discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking), and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices, and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities. UNT System Administration promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. System Administration also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist, or participate in a related investigation or proceeding.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Proposal Manager
Target government contracting firms first
Defense and federal contractors like Booz Allen, SAIC, and Leidos hire Proposal Managers regularly and have established H-1B sponsorship pipelines. These firms plan hiring well in advance, giving OPT students time to secure sponsorship before their authorization expires.
Lead with your degree field explicitly
Proposal Manager roles require a bachelor's degree in a specific field, typically business, communications, or engineering. Make your degree field prominent in your resume header so hiring managers can immediately confirm you meet the specialty occupation requirement for OPT eligibility.
Quantify proposal win rates on your resume
Employers evaluate Proposal Managers on measurable outcomes. Include win rates, number of proposals managed, and contract values where possible. Concrete metrics signal readiness for the role and distinguish your application from candidates with only general writing experience.
Get Shipley or APMP certified before you apply
The Shipley Method and APMP Foundation certification are industry standards in proposal management. Completing either before job searching signals professional commitment and directly addresses employer concerns about hiring someone on a time-limited work authorization like OPT.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship after an offer, not before
Raising visa sponsorship during an initial interview shifts focus away from your qualifications. Wait until an employer expresses strong interest or extends an offer, then confirm their sponsorship policy directly. Government contractors and large consulting firms sponsor most frequently.
Highlight cross-functional coordination experience
Proposal Managers work with legal, finance, technical, and executive teams simultaneously. Demonstrating that you have managed multiple stakeholders under tight deadlines reassures employers that you can contribute immediately, which reduces perceived risk in sponsoring someone on OPT.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Proposal Manager role qualify as a specialty occupation for OPT?
Yes, in most cases. Proposal Manager positions typically require a bachelor's degree in business, communications, English, or a technical field, which satisfies the specialty occupation requirement for OPT work authorization. Roles at government contractors and consulting firms almost always meet the standard. Positions at smaller companies with looser degree requirements may need closer review before you apply.
Which industries hire Proposal Managers and sponsor H-1B visas most often?
Government contracting is the strongest industry for both hiring and H-1B sponsorship. Firms supporting federal agencies in defense, IT, and infrastructure routinely sponsor Proposal Managers because demand for the role is high and qualified candidates are limited. Engineering firms, management consulting companies, and healthcare services contractors also sponsor regularly. You can filter by industry on Migrate Mate to find OPT-friendly employers in these sectors.
Can I work as a Proposal Manager on STEM OPT extension?
Only if your degree falls under a STEM-designated field. Most Proposal Manager roles are supported by degrees in business or communications, which are not STEM-designated. If your degree is in a STEM field such as computer science, engineering, or information systems, and your employer qualifies, you may be eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before assuming eligibility.
How far in advance should I start my job search as a Proposal Manager on OPT?
Start at least three to four months before your OPT start date. Proposal Manager hiring cycles at government contractors can move slowly due to internal clearance checks and team budget approvals. Beginning early gives you time to complete the application process, negotiate an offer, and confirm H-1B sponsorship intent before your work authorization window becomes a concern for the employer.
What experience can I include on my resume if I have no direct proposal management experience?
Focus on transferable experience: grant writing, research reports, client-facing presentations, project coordination, or any work involving structured writing under deadlines. Internship experience in communications, business development, or consulting is directly relevant. Academic capstone projects that involved formal documentation or competitive proposals also count. Employers hiring junior Proposal Managers understand that candidates are developing the role, so demonstrating writing rigor and process discipline matters more than the specific job title.
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