Our culture is one of inclusion and belonging where everyone feels respected, treated justly, supported and nourished. We all share responsibility for creating and sustaining a work environment where differences are celebrated and we are empowered to strive for excellence. We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and actively seek to recruit, develop, and retain a diverse and talented workforce.
Solutions Consultant Team Lead
Chicago
The exciting world of scientific research is fueled by people with a passion for solving complex problems. At Cayuse, we are committed to our customers’ success by empowering organizations to conduct globally connected research that advances their impact on science, discovery and society. We build on that commitment with proven, integrated and easy-to-use technology that delivers exceptional value, and world class service and support that accelerates outcomes.
But we are more than just an empowering platform powered by advanced technologies. We are a collaboration of exceptional, highly skilled people with multi-disciplinary expertise, and are building our team to support our ambitious growth plans. Cayuse’s foundational strength comes from our customer and employee focused values and commitment to industry-leading solutions. It’s an exciting time to become a key member of our growing team.
Cayuse is seeking a Solutions Consultant Team Lead with hands-on experience in pre- and post-award research administration to lead customer-facing solution engagements and develop our Solutions Consulting team. This player-coach will personally deliver discovery, demonstrations, and solution validation while improving the team’s product expertise, presentation quality, and execution.
The ideal candidate has worked within a sponsored programs office, research administration function, or comparable research organization and understands the operational challenges faced by researchers, administrators, finance teams, and institutional leaders. They can translate that experience into compelling demonstrations that connect Cayuse capabilities to customer priorities and help buyers make confident decisions.
Responsibilities
- Lead pre and post award solution engagements.
- Lead discovery and tailored demonstrations across proposal development and submission, sponsored project and award management, agreements, fund management and project effort workflows.
- Partner with Account Executives and Strategic Account Managers to uncover business problems, define success criteria, shape win themes and advance new business with expansion opportunities.
- Demonstrate complete workflows and connect capabilities to reduced administrative effort, stronger oversight, financial visibility, collaboration and the researcher experience.
- Lead strategic presentations, proofs of concept, and solution validation; identify product gaps, implementation considerations and integration requirements early.
- Provide accurate product-fit assessments and RFP/RFI responses. Review solution content and positioning, maintain reusable response assets and advise Sales Leadership on go/no-go decisions.
- Communicate current capabilities and limitations accurately, engaging Product, Services or technical specialists when additional expertise is needed.
- Coach and coordinate the Solutions Consulting team.
- Lead weekly coaching, call shadowing, and demonstration reviews, with actionable feedback on discovery, storytelling, objection handling and value articulation.
- Coordinate assignments and coverage based on expertise, capacity, opportunity priority and customer deadlines; maintain an active personal demonstration workload.
- Build onboarding plans, module certification standards, recorded training, and reusable demo scenarios. Develop pre- and post-award coverage across the team and support broader Research Suite learning.
- Maintain dependable demo environments and documentation; reinforce preparation, follow-through, CRM discipline and response standards.
- Identify skill and performance gaps early and partner with the VP of Sales on development plans, performance feedback and hiring needs.
- Cross functional collaboration.
- Partner with Product Management to share recurring customer needs, competitive insights, and product gaps in a clear, prioritized format.
- Collaborate with Implementation, Professional Services, Customer Success, and Support to validate assumptions and support effective sales handoffs.
- Contribute to sales enablement, competitive positioning, and consistent messaging across higher education, healthcare and research organizations.
Qualifications
- 7+ years of combined experience in research administration, sponsored programs, solutions consulting or related work, including substantial hands-on experience within a research institution or organization.
- Direct experience across both pre- and post-award operations with depth in at least one and a practical understanding of how the two connect.
- Working knowledge of proposal development, sponsor submissions, award setup, agreements, award administration, effort reporting and research financial management; familiarity with sponsor requirements and institutional controls.
- Experience using, administering, selecting or implementing electronic research administration systems and translating complex workflows into clear explanations.
- Demonstrated ability to lead engaging presentations, facilitate discovery, and communicate with operational staff, researchers and executive stakeholders.
- Experience coaching, mentoring or leading colleagues with the ability to set expectations, provide constructive feedback and build accountability.
- Strong organization and judgment, with the ability to balance customer engagements, team development, and competing deadlines.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience; willingness to travel for customer meetings, conferences, and team activities as needed.
- Experience in software presales, solutions consulting or vendor evaluation, including tailored demonstrations and complex buying processes.
- Experience with Cayuse or comparable pre- and post-award platforms and familiarity with ERP and finance integration requirements.
- Experience leading a sponsored programs or research administration team, driving process improvement or implementing research systems.
- CRA, CPRA, or CFRA certification; involvement in NCURA, SRAI or comparable professional associations.
What Success Looks Like
- Personally lead or support approximately 3–4 demonstrations per week, adjusted for engagement complexity, preparation and leadership responsibilities.
- Establish early certification and independent coverage for priority pre- and post-award products, followed by broader Research Suite proficiency through an agreed ramp plan.
- Conduct weekly coaching and at least one formal demonstration review per consultant each month; show measurable improvement in team readiness and delivery quality.
- Meet agreed response and RFP deadlines and share a monthly view of team capacity, quality, development progress and contribution to opportunity advancement.
- Build customer confidence and contribute to stronger competitive positioning, opportunity progression and revenue outcomes in partnership with Sales.
Benefits
- Competitive Medical Benefits (PPO + HSA available)
- Vision, Dental, Short-Term Disability fully covered by Cayuse
- Unlimited PTO + Holidays + Flexible Work Schedule
- Remote Work Stipend
- Equal Paid Parental Leave
- 401k with Employer Matching
- Quarterly Wellness Reimbursement
- Remote Work Environment, supporting the Ultimate Employee Experience
Cayuse does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias or any Cayuse employees. Cayuse is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.
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