Managing Director, Defense and Advanced Technology Practice in Washington, District of Columbia at McAllister and Quinn LLC

About McAllister & Quinn

McAllister & Quinn is a federal research development consulting and government relations firm headquarters in Washington, D.C. We offer our 200+ clients a unique blend of comprehensive grant consulting, strategic advising, and government relations services. Specifically, McAllister & Quinn equips clients with the knowledge and expertise to pursue federal and private foundation funding opportunities that align with their organizational priorities. We support clients’ strategic positioning efforts, help craft competitive applications, develop and expand funding streams through the congressional appropriations process, and facilitate public-private and international partnerships that advance their missions.

Defense and Advanced Technology Practice

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

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

We’re seeking a Managing Director to lead federal funding strategy and proposal development for technical for-profit clients. Reporting to the Vice Presidents of the practice, you will serve as a project manager, client-handler, and strategic advisor, helping for-profit companies secure funding for their technological and business goals. You’ll manage the full proposal development lifecycle, from identifying opportunities that align with client and government priorities to submitting competitive proposals across agencies such as DoD, DOE, DOC, NIH, ARPA-H, NSF, as well as state and private foundation opportunities.

This fast-paced and rewarding environment will give you the chance to work across a wide range of opportunities and many technical fields, where each day is never the same. The role combines client leadership, strategic advising, and hands-on proposal management for funding ranging from SBIR Phase I (less than $250K) to large-scale programs (greater than $20M).

Client and Consultant Management

• 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
• Build and manage relationships and deliver high-quality, deadline-driven results
• Support external client interactions on partnerships, consortium building, and other stakeholder engagements with federal agencies, program officers, and partners
• Engage with clients on site and participate in industry conferences (approximately <10% travel).

Funding Strategy and Proposal Development

• 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

Required

• 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.