This is a newly-created, full time opening. The job will be based in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan (WDI) has a dynamic and fast growing Development Consulting Services (DCS) practice that specializes in international development in the areas of economic growth, policy reform, private sector development, M&E, higher education development, sustainable tourism, natural resources management, Business of Healthcare, and Base of the Economic Pyramid. Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the institute has a global field presence and diverse portfolio that includes global contracts with USAID, and other clients including HED, MEPI, the Gates Foundation and Goldman Sachs, among others. The Institute has earned a solid reputation among its clients and missions worldwide and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike. To learn more about DCS and its mission, etc., clickhere.
Reporting to the Director of Development Consulting Services (DCS), the primary responsibilities of the Business Development Manager are:
- Participate in strategic planning for future development and expansion of our portfolio of projects.
- Identify new business and partnering opportunities that take advantage of current trends in donor funding as well as leveraging our capabilities and resources. Develop a thorough knowledge of WDI initiatives.
- Review World Bank, UN, ADB, IADB, U.S. Department of State, MCC, USAID websites, among others, Congressional Presentations and other documents to obtain business information and procurement leads.
- Develop and populate a non-traditional database of potential funding sources such as funding agencies, foundations and corporations. This database should include a network of contacts and development strategies for each respective source.
- Assume ownership of the business development process from opportunity identification through proposal preparation and submission. Take the lead in proposal writing:
- Assemble respective research and technical teams for proposals.
- Lead or contribute to the development of the technical approach, personnel and management sections, corporate capability statements and budgets.
- Identify resources necessary for proposals and prepare scopes of work and budgets for external consultants as required.
- Work closely with the institute's research and technical experts on partnering decisions.
- Work closely with partner technical writers, if any, to ensure the proposal is responsive to the evaluation criteria of the solicitation.
- Track deadlines and timelines and inform the Director of DCS of any potential problem in meeting deadlines.
- Track the status of proposals after submission.
- Convene post proposal debriefing meetings to discuss processes, other issues and lessons learned.
- Prepare and assist in negotiating teaming agreements, Memoranda of Understanding, sub-contracts with existing and new partners/funding agencies.
- Provide content for marketing materials including brochures, web pages and correspondence as required.
SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
The successful candidate will have:
- A degree in business, international relations, public health or a related field. A master's degree is preferred;
- Minimum 10 years of successful proposal development experience for donor agency solicitations and other private foundations;
- Managerial experience in the international development, poverty alleviation (Base of the Pyramid), higher education capacity building, or healthcare fields. Field-based experience in a developing country is desirable;
- Excellent skills in technical writing, budgeting, research, negotiation, and must have superior verbal and written communication skills in English;
- Excellent quantitative and analytical skills;
- Experience with the non-traditional donors' project cycle framework.
- In-depth knowledge of MS Office Products: Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint;
- Commitment to international development and to values-drive work environment;
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally;
- Broad knowledge of publication processes and desktop publishing software (Adobe InDesign and Adobe PageMaker) as well as client-side web development languages (HTML, JavaScript, CSS, etc.) is desirable;
- Fluency in a second language is desirable.
- Legal authorization to work in the United States. (NOTE: This position is not eligible for an H1-B Visa.)
WDI will not reimburse for international relocation expenses.
HOW TO APPLY: Complete a WDI Application for Employment and send via e-mail towdi@umich.edu or via fax: (734) 763-5850; please send WDI Application with a letter of introduction at your soonest convenience, but prior to the deadline of March 1, 2010.
(Sorry. Your resume or C.V. will not be accepted in lieu of WDI's Application.)
COMPENSATION: Will be discussed with individuals who are offered an interview. A detailed summary of employee benefits will be provided at an interview. Benefits include: health, dental and life insurances, retirement plan with immediate vesting, and a generous paid time off package.
ABOUT WDI: The William Davidson Institute (WDI) is an affiliate of the University of Michigan; WDI employees are not employees of the University of Michigan. WDI's general office hours are weekdays 8 AM to 5 PM. WDI is an EOE.
Due to the number of anticipated responses, we will contact only those whom we wish to invite to an interview. No calls please.
Updated: 1/27/2010
