Research Development Administrator, Lead

Job SummaryThe Senior Research Development Specialist advances interdisciplinary research development across Purdue by connecting faculty, funding opportunities, institutional capabilities, and strategic priorities.  The position leads interdisciplinary convening, opportunity intelligence, faculty engagement, and relationship-building activities that help seed future teams, initiatives, and externally funded proposals.  Using data analytics, technology, and artificial intelligence, the position identifies emerging funding trends, maps institutional strengths to sponsor opportunities, and develops scalable resources, communications, and programming that expand the reach of the Office of Research.  The position also contributes direct proposal and grant writing expertise to selected opportunities, helping faculty strengthen proposal competitiveness and advance strategically aligned initiatives.What We're Looking For:Bachelor's degree in Technical Writing, Communication, Science, Engineering, Public Administration, Higher Education, Data Analytics, or a related fieldSeven or more years of professional experience in research development, faculty engagement, program development, proposal development, strategic communications, data-informed planning, or a closely related functionExperience independently leading research development initiatives, interdisciplinary programs, faculty-facing services, convening activities, or other complex projects in higher education, research, government, nonprofit, or a similarly complex organizational environmentExperience using funding intelligence, institutional data, faculty expertise, or stakeholder information to identify opportunities, develop recommendations, or support collaborative initiativesStrong research development and strategic planning skills, with the ability to connect funding opportunities, institutional capabilities, faculty expertise, and institutional prioritiesDemonstrated ability to research and analyze sponsor priorities, funding trends, program information, and institutional data and translate findings into actionable recommendationsAbility to build productive relationships with faculty, research leaders, colleagues, and external partners across disciplines and organizational unitsStrong convening, facilitation, and program-development skills, including the ability to design events and engagement strategies that support interdisciplinary collaboration and team formationAbility to synthesize complex technical and nontechnical information into clear opportunity briefs, faculty-facing communications, presentations, training materials, and strategic resourcesDemonstrated AI competency and digital literacy, including the ability to responsibly apply AI-enabled tools to research, analysis, communications, resource development, opportunity matching, and workflow improvementStrong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple initiatives, stakeholders, timelines, and deliverables concurrentlyDemonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment, develop strategic recommendations, and lead complex initiatives involving multiple stakeholdersWorking knowledge of proposal strategy and grantsmanship, with the ability to advise faculty and contribute to selected proposal-development effortsWhat We Want You To Know:Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this positionA background check is required for employment in this positionFLSA:  Exempt (Not eligible for overtime)Retirement Eligibility:  Defined Contributions Immediately Equal Opportunity EmployerPurdue University is an EOE employer.