Application Guide

How to Apply for Associate Director, USG Portfolio

at Winrock International

🏢 About Winrock International

Winrock International is a nonprofit organization that blends social, agricultural, and environmental expertise to create sustainable solutions in over 60 countries. Their focus on innovative, results-driven development and commitment to empowering communities makes them a mission-driven workplace where your work directly impacts global change.

About This Role

As Associate Director of the USG Portfolio, you will lead Winrock's competitive business development efforts for federal and ODA funding, including USAID. You'll drive pipeline growth, oversee proposal development, and coordinate intelligence gathering to position Winrock as a top contender, directly influencing the organization's ability to secure impactful projects.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day might start with reviewing pipeline updates in Salesforce and leading a go/no-go meeting for a new USAID opportunity. You'll then coordinate with technical leads and partners on a live proposal, followed by analyzing competitor intelligence to refine Winrock's positioning. Afternoons could involve mentoring junior BD staff and preparing pipeline reports for senior leadership.

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🎯 Who Winrock International Is Looking For

  • A seasoned BD professional with 9+ years in international development, specifically pursuing USAID and other federal donors, with a proven track record of winning competitive proposals in Winrock's sectors (e.g., agriculture, environment, social development).
  • Expert in end-to-end BD processes, from market intelligence and opportunity qualification to partner coordination and proposal management, with a knack for navigating government procurement complexities.
  • Highly organized and data-driven, with experience managing pipeline tracking systems (e.g., Salesforce) and leading go/no-go decisions using clear metrics and stakeholder input.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office and familiar with Costpoint; comfortable working remotely while collaborating across time zones with diverse teams.

📝 Tips for Applying to Winrock International

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific USAID competitive wins and the dollar amounts, sectors, and your role in the capture or proposal process.

2

In your cover letter, explicitly mention your experience with go/no-go decision-making and pipeline management tools like Salesforce.

3

Showcase any experience with Costpoint or similar financial systems, as this is a strongly preferred skill for the role.

4

Provide examples of how you've used market intelligence to shape capture strategies and position Winrock against competitors.

5

If you have experience with multilateral ODA donors (e.g., World Bank, DFID), highlight it, as the role covers both federal and ODA funding.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Emphasize your track record of winning competitive proposals for USAID and other federal donors, including specific examples of sectors aligned with Winrock's work.", "Demonstrate your strategic thinking in pipeline growth and intelligence gathering, showing how you've identified and qualified opportunities.", 'Highlight your leadership in cross-functional proposal teams, including partner coordination and compliance management.', "Express enthusiasm for Winrock's mission and how your skills can directly contribute to their sustainable development goals."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review Winrock's recent press releases and annual reports to understand their key projects and donor relationships, especially with USAID.
  • → Study their technical sectors (e.g., agriculture, clean energy, gender equality) to align your experience with their focus areas.
  • → Look up Winrock's current pipeline on public databases (e.g., USAID Business Forecast) to identify potential opportunities you could contribute to.
  • → Familiarize yourself with Winrock's organizational structure and key BD leaders to understand reporting lines and team dynamics.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through a recent competitive proposal win you led for USAID, including the capture strategy, partner selection, and key challenges.
2 How do you prioritize and qualify opportunities in a pipeline? Describe your go/no-go process with a specific example.
3 How have you used tools like Salesforce or other CRM systems to track pipeline and inform decision-making?
4 Describe a time you had to manage a large, remote proposal team under tight deadlines. How did you ensure quality and compliance?
5 What do you know about Winrock's current portfolio and technical sectors? How would you identify new growth areas?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Avoid generic cover letters that don't mention Winrock's specific mission or sectors; tailor every application to show you've done your homework.
  • Don't overlook the importance of pipeline management and CRM experience; failing to discuss these tools can signal a lack of fit for this data-driven role.
  • Don't focus only on technical expertise without demonstrating your leadership in capture and proposal strategy; this role is about driving wins, not just writing proposals.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Winrock International!

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