Proposal Analyst III

Engineering a world of possibilities

The Proposal Analyst Level III is a Senior level position responsible for assisting faculty in developing research and other sponsored proposals by, formulating, compiling, reviewing, and submitting proposals from the Office of Research Administration (ORA).

The Proposal Analyst III will serve as a resource to faculty and administrators in the administration of sponsored research, specifically the submission of funding proposals to external organizations. In this role, you will be responsible for advising faculty about funding sources, sponsoring agency rules and regulations and School policies and procedures. You will work directly with faculty to create School approved budgets that accurately reflect project costs. You will also be responsible for maintaining an accurate database of proposals which will be accessed by ORA and campus constituents, including individual faculty members, department heads, deans and central administration.

This position requires on-campus presence at least twice a week in Golden, Colorado.

Primary Responsibilities

Proposal Submission

• Manage submissions for complex research grant proposals, collect relevant information, and ensure submission and approval of proposals within deadline.

• Review research and other sponsored proposals for external funding to ensure they comply with School, state and sponsoring agency regulations. Determine the completeness of proposals by confirming all agency and School requirements are met and necessary forms and certifications are prepared.  Submit approved proposals, on behalf of the School, by the sponsor mandated deadline.

• Coordinate the information dissemination and proposal submission process for the School’s subrecipients, subcontractors, or third-party contributors. Accurately incorporate the subrecipient’s proposal into the School’s proposal and budget.

• Work with faculty to create institutionally approved proposal budgets by applying knowledge of a variety of cost information such as School and agency policies. Will review and determine allowable costs, coordinate with other units on campus, and verify any institutional funds or resources used for cost matching. 

• Perform cost negotiations with project sponsors; including a justification of costs and explanation of school polices and business practices.

Proposal Team Organization

• Determine proposal prioritization by evaluating the sponsor deadline, complexity of the proposal, School policy and staff resources. 

• Where there are a limited number of proposals allowed to be submitted by the school, collaborate with the Vice President of Research and Technology Transfer to gather and evaluate faculty proposals to determine the School endorsed projects.

• With support from the Assistant Director of Pre-Award, provide training to the Proposal Analysts and faculty on proposal requirements, both school and sponsor, federal regulations, allowable costs, statements of work, indirect costs, etc.  Provide assistance and guidance to Proposal Analysts when they are presented with an unusual situation or problem. 

• Work with the Assistant Director of Pre-Award to establish, document, disseminate and review efficient business policies and procedures for the proposal team while ensuring best business practices. 

• In conjunction with the Assistant Director of Pre-Award, work with the data repository team to implement and maintain the software with regards to proposals.  Responsible for ensuring accurate data is entered into the system and that staff and faculty are trained on proposal submission, tracking and reporting processes.

 

Institutional Data Repository

• Work with the data repository team to implement and maintain the software with regards to proposals

• Responsible for ensuring accurate data is entered into the data repository.

• Follow up with faculty to ensure they complete all sections in the data repository as needed and within timeline provided by ORA

• Track all proposals through data repository, review and provide notice when they are ready for final sign off

• Approve proposals in institutional data repository that do not include institutional cost sharing or commitments of space and resources.    

Communication & Outreach

• Daily communication with faculty to ensure all information for a proposal submission, including the budget and supporting documentation, follow School and sponsor guidelines.

• Interpret and explain federal, School, or state regulations and policies to faculty and other School personnel in order to help them understand the proposal process and how the regulations apply to individual proposals.

• This position has ongoing contact with sponsoring agencies and other external personnel for the purpose of education and training of federal and state policies and directives, ORA procedures, and School policy.  

Training and Process Improvement

• Provide formal and informal training to faculty members and departmental staff regarding school policy and procedures and sponsoring agency rules and regulations in relation to the proposal submission process.

• Provide support to Proposal Analyst unit, particularly regarding large & complex proposal submissions

• Actively participate in office wide process evaluation and reengineering efforts. Critically evaluate process and procedures with a goal of efficiency and optimal resource utilization. Make recommendations for improvements to management and lead improvement efforts if approved.

 

Minimum Qualifications

 

• Bachelor's degree in business or related field
• At least four years experience in research administration
• Knowledge of regulations governing sponsored research
• Ability to critically analyze information in order to make an independent decision
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills
• Skill in establishing and fostering a cooperative work environment
• Skill in analyzing and solving problems
• Evidence of leadership ability
• Self-motivated and ability to multitask

 

Preferred Qualifications

 

• Advanced degree in research administration, business administration, or related field
• Five years experience in research administration 
• Demonstrated customer service skills, the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community and ability to meet multiple deadlines 
• Ability to use databases, presentation software, and enterprise financial systems
• Ability to critically analyze information and use problem solving skills in order to make an independent decision
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills
• Skill in establishing and fostering a cooperative work environment
• Self-motivated and ability to multitask in order to meet deadlines

Salary and Benefits

$84,750 - $95,000 annual salary

Mines takes into consideration a combination of candidate’s education, training and experience as well as the position’s scope and complexity, the discretion and latitude required in the role, work location, and external market and internal value when determining a salary level for potential new employees.

Colorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees. For this role, that includes:

• Flexible health and dental care options
• Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year – including a week-long winter break for entire campus.
• Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution
• Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents)
• Free RTD Ecopass

All Mines employees also have access to discount programs through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines Athletics home games, as well as access to the state of the art Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more) and equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center. We are proud to have recently opened an on campus daycare center. For more details about benefits at Mines, visit mines.edu/human-resources/benefits.

How to Apply

Complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, veteran status)

• Upload a resume or CV
• Upload a cover letter

Candidates must be currently authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position now nor in the future.

This posting may be used to fill more than one vacancy based on business needs.

References will not be contacted until later in the selection process and you will be informed before that contact is made.

Application review will begin October 7, 2026. This posting will remain open until filled and may close without notice. For best consideration, apply as soon as possible.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for this position.

About Mines & Golden, CO

When the world looks for answers, the world looks to Mines.

Colorado School of Mines is a top-ranked public university solving the grand challenges facing our society, particularly those related to the Earth, energy and the environment. Founded in 1874 with specialties in mining and metallurgy, Mines’ scope and mission have continually expanded to meet the needs of industry and society.

Mines graduates are change makers, boundary breakers and problem solvers. Since our earliest days, a Mines education has been and continues to be a transformational opportunity, with one of the strongest returns on investment out there for talented STEM students of all backgrounds.

At the same time, Mines faculty members are pushing their fields in new directions, whether that’s manufacturing, space resources, quantum engineering, carbon capture or more. Mines was recently classified as a R1 “Very High Activity” research institution by Carnegie, a notable feat for any university but particularly one of our size.

That size – roughly 8,200 undergraduate and graduate students – also translates to a close-knit campus community, where employees have opportunities to get involved in multiple ways, continued professional learning is valued and everyone can make an impact.

Community Alliance groups bring together employees for professional development, networking, and community involvement, and all Mines employees also have access to the wealth of activities happening every day on campus – nationally-renowned speakers, special events and Mines traditions like Engineering Days, just to name a few.

And don’t get us started on our hometown. We are located in the heart of Golden, Colorado --with its charming historic downtown and nearby hiking trails – and in close proximity to all that Denver and the Rocky Mountains have to offer. That includes the sunny, high-altitude climate and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities that make the Denver area an ideal place to live, work and play.

Are you looking for an inspiring, mission-driven workplace where you can contribute to solving the world’s problems and educating the next generation of change makers? Are you an individual who values a community where our individual perspectives and experiences enrich the educational and work experience?

Look to Mines.

Additional Information and Reasonable Accommodation Requests
It is the intent of Mines to comply with the applicable requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008, and their implementation rules and regulations, in support of equal opportunities for qualified applicants with disabilities. To meet this goal, Mines will make reasonable accommodations during the employment selection process and within our working environment.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on our site as a result of your disability. You can request a reasonable accommodation by contacting our Human Resources team at hr@mines.edu or 303.273.3250 for assistance.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for this position.

Equal Opportunity

Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons. Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses.

Mines’ commitment to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a talented student body and workforce.

Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequality or concerns for safety.

Colorado's premier engineering and applied science university for 150 years and counting