Director of Federal Grant Partnerships

Director of Federal Grant Partnerships Apex Bioworks Aurora, IL Job Details Full-time | Contract $119,999 - $280,000 a year 1 day ago Benefits Disability insurance Health insurance Dental insurance 401(k) Tuition reimbursement Paid time off Vision insurance 401(k) matching Life insurance Qualifications Strategic management Change management Cleanroom Strategic partnerships FDA regulations Full Job Description Company Overview Apex Bioworks is an Illinois-based advanced biomanufacturing. We provide the critical infrastructure required to scale university-born biological discoveries into clinical-grade, patient-ready medical solutions, bridging the gap between bench-top research and industrial production. Director of Federal Partnerships & Grant Procurement / Goverment Grant /

Grant Director Mission:

Secure university Letters of Support (LOS) and manage the full administrative lifecycle for ARPA-H and DoD grants to scale our foundry infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities:

University Partnerships:

Secure formal LOS and Teaming Agreements with Tier-1 Illinois research institutions (e.g., UIC, Northwestern) for grant proposals.

Grant Procurement:

Lead the end-to-end lifecycle for ARPA-H, DoD CDMRP, and

SBIR/STTR

solicitations, from proposal drafting to award management. Proven experience in federal procurement, government grants management, or contract negotiation within a high-impact organization.

Candidate Requirements:

5+ years in federal grant management or biotech . Proven track record of winning multi-million dollar federal awards. Existing network within Illinois university tech-transfer offices. Duties Lead the development and execution of federal partnership strategies to expand organizational reach and impact. Coordinate cross-functional teams to prepare detailed proposals, technical documentation, and budgets aligned with federal grant requirements. Maintain rigorous records management practices for all grant documentation, contracts, amendments, and correspondence using ERP systems such as PeopleSoft. Ensure organizational adherence to compliance standards related to procurement laws, intellectual property rights, and legal drafting requirements. Develop strategic plans for business development by identifying new federal funding opportunities and cultivating relationships with government agencies. Lead change management initiatives related to contract management systems and procurement processes to optimize efficiency. Collaborate with legal teams on contract review, contractor management, and intellectual property considerations to mitigate risk. Monitor ongoing grant performance metrics and prepare reports for senior leadership to inform decision-making. Manage vendor relationships, negotiate contracts, and review legal documents ensuring compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), UCC law, and other relevant statutes.

Experience Extensive knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), UCC law, U.S. government contracting procedures, and compliance standards. Demonstrated success in proposal writing, pricing strategies, and technical documentation tailored for federal agencies. Strong vendor management skills with experience negotiating contracts and managing contractor relationships. Familiarity with ERP systems such as or equivalent platforms; experience with Salesforce or DocuSign is highly desirable. Background in research or business development roles focused on securing federal funding streams. Excellent negotiation skills complemented by strategic planning abilities to align organizational goals with federal opportunities. Ability to lead cross-functional teams through complex projects involving legal review, document management, and change initiatives. This role is ideal for a motivated leader eager to make a significant impact by leveraging expertise in government funding mechanisms while fostering strategic partnerships that advance organizational objectives.

Preferred Qualifications Regulatory Fluency:

Prior experience navigating FDA Pre-IND meetings and managing IDE filings for medical devices or regenerative tissue products.

Defense Ecosystem Insight:

Established network within the National Security Technology Accelerator (NSTXL) or active engagement with previous SBIR Phase III commercialization cycles.

Infrastructure Expertise:

Hands-on experience with the build-out of ISO 7/5 modular cleanrooms and facility validation in an industrial setting.

Grant Strategy:

Experience managing multi-institutional consortia and coordinating university-led technical proposals for federal agencies. Recommended but NOT mandatory

Regulatory Alignment:

Integrate facility specifications (ISO suites, CMMC 2.0 compliance) into grant narratives to demonstrate execution readiness.

Compliance & Audit:

Oversee rigorous records management for federal audits and maintain SAM.gov/CAGE registration integrity.

Equity-based compensation commensurate with experience. Oversee the end-to-end grant procurement process, including proposal writing, pricing strategies, and submission management. Equity-based compensation commensurate with experience.

Pay:

$119,999.00 - $280,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Disability insurance Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Tuition reimbursement Vision insurance Application Question(s): Do you have experience managing federal grant lifecycles (e.g., ARPA-H, DoD, or NIH)?" (Yes/No) Have you previously secured a Letter of Support (LOS) from a university research institution?" (Yes/No) Are you familiar with federal compliance frameworks like NIST 800-171 or CMMC?" (Yes/No)

Work Location:

Hybrid remote in Aurora, IL