Managing Director, Advanced Technology Practice

About the role

McAllister & Quinn is a federal research development consulting and government relations firm headquartered in Washington, D.C. We provide comprehensive grant consulting, strategic advising, and government relations services to our 200+ clients.

Advanced Technology Practice

The Advanced Technology Practice supports engineering and technology companies, from startups to Fortune 500s, in securing R&D funding to develop, commercialize, and scale innovation. Our work spans multiple state and federal agencies and departments including defense, critical minerals, energy, biotechnology, manufacturing, workforce development, and more.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary client contact and trusted advisor, aligning internal and external teams to service retainer and project-based contracts.
• Lead client engagements, including regular agenda setting, updates, presentations, and strategic planning.
• Manage the full proposal development lifecycle, from identifying opportunities that align with client and government priorities to submitting competitive proposals across agencies like DoD, DOE, DOC, NIH, ARPA-H, NSF, and state and private foundation opportunities.
• Engage with clients on site and participate in industry conferences (approximately
• Lead end-to-end proposal development using cross-functional teams (SMEs, research analysts, writers, reviewers, etc.).
• Maintain extensive knowledge of federal grant programs and trends and advise clients on positioning and competitiveness.
• Oversee the strategic planning and execution of services, including project timelines, deliverables, and quality standards.
• Develop white papers, concept papers, and briefing materials.
• Advise on compliance, readiness, and post-award capacity building.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in relevant field
• 6+ years of relevant experience (industry R&D, federal funding, consulting, and/or proposal development)
• Strategic thinker with strong project management and proposal leadership experience
• Highly collaborative with a strong customer service mindset
• Excellent communication, client-facing, and analytical skills

Preferred Experience

• Navigating government funding and policy landscapes, such as Hill experience, federal or state agencies and departments, or industry government relations work
• Experience successfully securing federal funding awards for industry, academia, or other entities
• Familiarity with federal appropriations and grant processes
• PMP, APMP, or similar project management certification

Key Success Traits

• Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving skills
• Detail-oriented and deadline-driven
• Confident communicator and client advisor
• Highly collaborative with a strong customer service mindset

Compensation & Benefits

• Normal work hours are 8:30 am through 5:30 pm Monday through Friday EST (for local staff)
• Location: Hybrid - In-office preferred (Washington, D.C.); remote optional for exceptional candidates
• Competitive 401(k), healthcare, dental, life insurance, long-term disability, dependent care FSA, HSA/FSA, and transit benefits
• Salary consideration will be commensurate with experience starting at $100,000.00 annual base salary and bonus eligible after one year of continuous service
• Flexible vacation and leave policy