ob Summary
Apex Bioworks is an Illinois-based advanced biomanufacturing foundry. 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.
We are seeking a Director of Federal Partnerships & Grant Procurement to lead our non-dilutive funding pipeline, secure university Letters of Support (LOS), and oversee the administrative lifecycle for federal grant solicitations (ARPA-H, DoD, and NIH SBIR/STTR).
Key Responsibilities
- University Partnerships: Secure formal Letters of Support (LOS) and Teaming Agreements with Tier-1 research institutions for competitive grant proposals.
- Grant Procurement Lifecycle: Lead end-to-end proposal development, narrative drafting, sub-budgeting, and submission management for ARPA-H, DoD CDMRP, and SBIR/STTR solicitations.
- Compliance & Registration: Oversee SAM.gov/CAGE ensure alignment with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and Uniform Guidance, and maintain audit-ready records.
- Strategic Ecosystem Alignment: Coordinate cross-functional technical teams, legal advisors, and university Tech Transfer Offices (TTOs) to align facility specifications and execution readiness with federal agency goals.
- Reporting & Administration: Track grant performance metrics, manage post-award compliance, and prepare executive reports for leadership.
Candidate Requirements
- 5+ years of experience in federal grant management, government procurement, or biotech business development.
- Demonstrated track record of contributing to or securing multi-million-dollar federal awards (ARPA-H, DoD, NIH, or NSF).
- Working knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), U.S. government contracting, and compliance standards.
- Strong network within university tech-transfer offices and regional research ecosystems.
- Excellent negotiation, legal drafting review, and strategic planning skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Regulatory & Defense Fluency: Familiarity with FDA, or defense networks (e.g., NSTXL).
- Infrastructure Familiarity: Understanding of cGMP biomanufacturing, cleanroom validation, or facility scaling narratives.
- Consortia Management: Experience coordinating multi-institutional grant proposals and university-led research teams.
Compensation & Benefits
- Pay: Competitive base salary + bonus performance milestones (commensurate with experience)
- Benefits:
- 401(k) & 401(k) matching
- Health, Dental, and Vision insurance
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Disability & Life insurance
- Tuition reimbursement
Pay: $95,000.00 - $145,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Vision insurance
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Aurora, IL 60504
