OPT Proposal Specialist Jobs
Proposal Specialist roles involve writing, coordinating, and managing responses to RFPs, RFQs, and grant opportunities, skills that translate well across government contractors, consulting firms, and nonprofits. Many employers in these sectors are experienced with OPT work authorization and the 60-day transition window between positions.
See All OPT Proposal Specialist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 39+ Proposal Specialist jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 39+ Proposal Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Proposal Specialist roles.
Get Access To All JobsJob no: 495244
Work type: Staff Full-time
Location: UMBC Campus
Categories: Business/Accounting/Finance, Grants Management
Department:
College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences
Dean's Office
Position Overview:
Within CNMS Business Central, the Grants Specialist uses a proactive and collaborative approach and technology to provide consultative customer service to the various departments serviced by the shared services center.
Why Work at UMBC?
UMBC offers competitive compensation. This role starts at $65,500 and has over 4 weeks of vacation for regular full time roles. Tuition remission is also available.
What is it like to work at UMBC? Check out Glassdoor or Indeed.
For 16 years in a row UMBC has been recognized as a Great College to Work For!
Telework:
A hybrid telework schedule may be available.
Responsibilities:
Reporting to the CNMS Assistant Dean of Financial Management, the Grants Specialist is responsible for providing direct, full service administrative, budget, and business support to faculty who are submitting proposals for extramural (contract and grant) funding. The incumbent will serve as the liaison on behalf of the faculty with various central UMBC departments as well as external organizations and/or individuals for the successful submission of a proposal.
Responsibilities include:
- Serve as primary point of contact to CNMS faculty for proposal submissions.
- Provide pre-award proposal support, including funding announcement review, preparing budgets and budget justifications in compliance with funding opportunity announcement, compiling and preparing proposal documents in compliance with funding opportunity announcement, entering and routing proposal in Kuali, and entering proposal in sponsor's system of submission.
- Provide post-award non-financial support, including submitting no cost extension requests, assisting with award close-out, preparing and submitting pre-award account requests, submitting sub-award modifications, and submitting invoices for payment.
- Assist with monthly sponsored project reporting.
- Prepare and process journal entries as necessary.
- Assist with effort report certification process as needed.
- Keep faculty updated about changes with sponsor requirements for proposal submissions.
- Stay current with UMBC, state, and federal regulations and laws governing contract and grant administration.
- Provide back-up support to other CNMS Business Central functions, including but not limited to, financial management, as needed.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree is required.
- Three years of experience, preferably in sponsored research, budgeting, financial reporting and analysis, forecasting, account reconciliation, and/or other relevant accounting/finance/analytical responsibilities.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, basic organizational and analytical skills along with the ability to manage multiple assignments under time deadlines, and a commitment to exemplary customer service skills are required.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelors degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Business, Economics, or related field is preferred.
- Experience in pre-award grants administration, particularly in preparing and submitting proposals to sponsor agencies.
- Familiarity with NASA, NSF, and/or NIH proposal submissions, familiarity or working knowledge of Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), familiarity with Kuali or other research administration tool used to route and submit proposals, and/or experience working in higher education or non-profit environments.
Background Screening Statement:
A background check will be required.
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Upload a cover letter and a resume.
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
Benefits:
UMBC offers a rich benefits package.
Regular and grant funded regular positions (Full benefits summary click here):
Generous Leave which includes accruing:
- 22 Days of Annual Leave
- 15 Days of Sick Leave
- 15 Holidays
- 3 Personal Days
Tuition Remission:
- 8 credit hours per semester
- Tuition remission at UMBC for eligible dependents after two years of FT employment
Additional Benefits:
- Life and disability insurance
- Retirement plans (including the choice of joining the pension plan)
- Professional development opportunities
- Wellness opportunities
- & Much more
Salary:
Salary: $65,500 - $74,000 depending on qualifications and experience.
The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations.
The above salary range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Hours: Full-time
Type: Regular
FLSA Status: Exempt
Equal Opportunity Statement:
UMBC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Applications from women, minority group members, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Title IX:
As an institution that receives federal financial assistance, UMBC adheres to Title IX and does not discriminate on the basis of sex. For more information about Title IX and contact information for Title IX Coordinator click here.
Accommodation:
If you require a reasonable accommodation for a disability for any part of the employment process, please contact the Human Resources Department at 410-455-2337 or MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Work Authorization
As required by the 1986 Immigration Act, be prepared to present acceptable documentation upon hire showing your identity and that you are a U.S. citizen or an alien who is authorized to work.
Advertised: May 7 2026 09:00 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Open Until Filled
Job no: 495244
Work type: Staff Full-time
Location: UMBC Campus
Categories: Business/Accounting/Finance, Grants Management
Department:
College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences
Dean's Office
Position Overview:
Within CNMS Business Central, the Grants Specialist uses a proactive and collaborative approach and technology to provide consultative customer service to the various departments serviced by the shared services center.
Why Work at UMBC?
UMBC offers competitive compensation. This role starts at $65,500 and has over 4 weeks of vacation for regular full time roles. Tuition remission is also available.
What is it like to work at UMBC? Check out Glassdoor or Indeed.
For 16 years in a row UMBC has been recognized as a Great College to Work For!
Telework:
A hybrid telework schedule may be available.
Responsibilities:
Reporting to the CNMS Assistant Dean of Financial Management, the Grants Specialist is responsible for providing direct, full service administrative, budget, and business support to faculty who are submitting proposals for extramural (contract and grant) funding. The incumbent will serve as the liaison on behalf of the faculty with various central UMBC departments as well as external organizations and/or individuals for the successful submission of a proposal.
Responsibilities include:
- Serve as primary point of contact to CNMS faculty for proposal submissions.
- Provide pre-award proposal support, including funding announcement review, preparing budgets and budget justifications in compliance with funding opportunity announcement, compiling and preparing proposal documents in compliance with funding opportunity announcement, entering and routing proposal in Kuali, and entering proposal in sponsor's system of submission.
- Provide post-award non-financial support, including submitting no cost extension requests, assisting with award close-out, preparing and submitting pre-award account requests, submitting sub-award modifications, and submitting invoices for payment.
- Assist with monthly sponsored project reporting.
- Prepare and process journal entries as necessary.
- Assist with effort report certification process as needed.
- Keep faculty updated about changes with sponsor requirements for proposal submissions.
- Stay current with UMBC, state, and federal regulations and laws governing contract and grant administration.
- Provide back-up support to other CNMS Business Central functions, including but not limited to, financial management, as needed.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree is required.
- Three years of experience, preferably in sponsored research, budgeting, financial reporting and analysis, forecasting, account reconciliation, and/or other relevant accounting/finance/analytical responsibilities.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, basic organizational and analytical skills along with the ability to manage multiple assignments under time deadlines, and a commitment to exemplary customer service skills are required.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelors degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Business, Economics, or related field is preferred.
- Experience in pre-award grants administration, particularly in preparing and submitting proposals to sponsor agencies.
- Familiarity with NASA, NSF, and/or NIH proposal submissions, familiarity or working knowledge of Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), familiarity with Kuali or other research administration tool used to route and submit proposals, and/or experience working in higher education or non-profit environments.
Background Screening Statement:
A background check will be required.
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Upload a cover letter and a resume.
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
Benefits:
UMBC offers a rich benefits package.
Regular and grant funded regular positions (Full benefits summary click here):
Generous Leave which includes accruing:
- 22 Days of Annual Leave
- 15 Days of Sick Leave
- 15 Holidays
- 3 Personal Days
Tuition Remission:
- 8 credit hours per semester
- Tuition remission at UMBC for eligible dependents after two years of FT employment
Additional Benefits:
- Life and disability insurance
- Retirement plans (including the choice of joining the pension plan)
- Professional development opportunities
- Wellness opportunities
- & Much more
Salary:
Salary: $65,500 - $74,000 depending on qualifications and experience.
The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations.
The above salary range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Hours: Full-time
Type: Regular
FLSA Status: Exempt
Equal Opportunity Statement:
UMBC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Applications from women, minority group members, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Title IX:
As an institution that receives federal financial assistance, UMBC adheres to Title IX and does not discriminate on the basis of sex. For more information about Title IX and contact information for Title IX Coordinator click here.
Accommodation:
If you require a reasonable accommodation for a disability for any part of the employment process, please contact the Human Resources Department at 410-455-2337 or MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Work Authorization
As required by the 1986 Immigration Act, be prepared to present acceptable documentation upon hire showing your identity and that you are a U.S. citizen or an alien who is authorized to work.
Advertised: May 7 2026 09:00 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Open Until Filled
See all 39+ OPT Proposal Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Proposal Specialist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Proposal Specialist
Target government contractors and consulting firms
Federal contractors and management consulting firms regularly hire Proposal Specialists and are experienced with OPT work authorization. These employers often have dedicated HR processes for international hires, making the sponsorship conversation significantly less complicated than with smaller companies.
Emphasize your writing and compliance skills together
Proposal work requires precision under tight deadlines, a combination that signals to employers you can handle compliance-heavy environments. Highlighting both technical writing ability and attention to regulatory requirements makes you a stronger candidate who can also navigate OPT paperwork independently.
Build a portfolio of RFP responses before applying
Even if your experience is academic or volunteer-based, a portfolio showing structured proposal writing demonstrates real competency. Employers evaluating OPT candidates often need confidence in immediate contribution, and sample work removes doubt about your readiness to produce on day one.
Apply before your OPT start date, not after
Hiring timelines for Proposal Specialist roles can run four to eight weeks between application and first day. Starting your search two to three months before your OPT authorization begins gives you enough runway to clear the process without burning into your authorized work period.
Clarify your STEM OPT eligibility if your degree qualifies
Degrees in technical fields like engineering, information systems, or data analytics may qualify you for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Employers in proposal management find this especially valuable, as it reduces the urgency around H-1B visa sponsorship timelines and extends your contribution window considerably.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship policy during the second interview round
Raising sponsorship too early can stall an application, but waiting until an offer creates pressure. The second interview is a natural checkpoint to confirm an employer sponsors H-1B visas, giving both sides time to align before commitment without derailing early-stage evaluation.
Proposal Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Proposal Specialist on OPT?
Yes. Proposal Specialist roles qualify as OPT-eligible employment as long as the position is directly related to your field of study. Degrees in communications, English, business, public administration, or technical fields typically satisfy this requirement. You should confirm the connection between your degree and the job description with your DSO before accepting an offer.
Do Proposal Specialist employers commonly sponsor H-1B visas?
Government contractors, large consulting firms, and defense-sector employers are among the most experienced sponsors for Proposal Specialists, since they routinely hire internationally and understand the H-1B process. Smaller agencies and nonprofits are less consistent. Searching Migrate Mate filters for sponsorship-willing employers in this field so you avoid applying to companies unlikely to sponsor.
Does a Proposal Specialist role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your underlying degree, not the job title. If your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as information systems, applied mathematics, or a technical discipline, and your Proposal Specialist role involves applying that training, you may qualify for the 24-month extension. Confirm your degree's STEM designation with your DSO and verify that the job duties align.
What should I include in my OPT disclosure to a Proposal Specialist employer?
Be direct and specific. Tell the employer your OPT authorization period, your STEM extension eligibility if applicable, and your H-1B timeline expectations. Proposal-heavy environments value clarity and organized communication, so presenting your work authorization status in a clean, factual way often lands well with hiring managers in this field.
How do I find Proposal Specialist jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Most general job boards do not filter by sponsorship willingness, which wastes significant time when you are on a limited OPT window. Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and surfaces Proposal Specialist roles at employers who have sponsored international candidates before, so you can focus your applications where they have a realistic chance of success.