Position Summary:
The Proposal Manager will manage the entire proposal life cycle, from pre-proposal planning to final production and delivery. This role requires leading diverse teams, including technical staff, writers, and subject matter experts, to create high-quality, competitive proposals. The Proposal Manager will ensure that all responses meet the required format, adhere to evaluation criteria, and are delivered on time. Additionally, this role supports the development of long-term strategies and approaches to achieve the company’s business objectives.
- MUST HAVE FEDERAL PROPOSAL EXPERIENCE
- MUST HAVE PRIME PROPOSAL EXPERIENCE
- MUST HAVE EXPERIENCE MANAGING MULTIPLE PROPOSALS
Primary Responsibilities:
- Lead and manage the full life cycle of proposal development, including planning, scheduling, and executing competitive proposals.
- Take end-to-end ownership of the proposal process, ensuring adherence to deadlines and compliance with RFP requirements.
- Analyze RFP requirements, develop proposal schedules, create outlines, and manage compliance matrices.
- Coordinate and lead diverse teams, including prime subcontractors and consultants, to develop cohesive and compelling proposals.
- Translate complex technical solutions into clear, understandable narratives.
- Write, edit, and review proposal sections, ensuring high-quality submissions.
- Manage the proposal review process, including running color reviews and recovery activities.
- Serve as a writer, editor, or reviewer when not managing a proposal.
- Assist in maintaining and updating CRM tools (e.g., NextStage) and organizing proposal source documents.
- Collaborate with executive leadership, solution architects, project managers, and capture managers to develop technical, management, and past performance documents.
- Plan and coordinate proposal activities, including storyboarding, kickoff meetings, and review sessions.
- Proactively develop strategic win themes and discriminators to enhance proposal competitiveness.
- Ensure exceptional communication, teamwork, and flexibility within the proposal team, while maintaining a high level of organization and motivation.
- Handle both task order proposals and large, multi-faceted proposals that may include oral presentations, client reference checks, and various proposal volumes (technical, past performance, cost, and management).
Skills and Qualifications:
- Strong leadership and management skills to direct and coordinate large, fast-moving proposal teams.
- Proven ability to manage multiple proposals and initiatives simultaneously in a deadline-driven environment.
- Exceptional writing skills, with the ability to create compelling, marketing-oriented narratives.
- High proficiency in MS Office business applications.
- Extensive experience developing proposals for major IDIQs, GWACs, and related task order responses.
- Ability to meet tight deadlines, including working weekends and holidays as needed.
- Experience with AI-based proposal writing tools is preferred.
- Familiarity with responding to Federal Government solicitations.
- Strong knowledge of the Shipley proposal methodology.
- Completion of 3-5 industry-recognized proposal management training courses.
- Excellent attention to detail, with strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
- Ability to work independently as well as in a collaborative team environment.
Required Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience as a Proposal Manager in a fast-paced, high-volume environment within the federal support services contracting industry.
- Experience in implementing and documenting proposal processes for a growing company.
- Strong background in managing and developing technical and management solutions during proposal development.
Certifications:
- APMP certification preferred.
- Shipley certification preferred.
Work Location:
Fairfax, VA (Hybrid).
