Proposal Manager

Proposal Manager

Location: Washington, DC, Frederick, MD, Twin Cities, MN, Johnstown, PA, Largo, FL

The Leonardo DRS Naval Electronics business provides leading naval computing infrastructure, network and data distribution and middleware enterprise services, as well as world-class manufacturing and support capabilities.

Career Functional Area: Business Development / Strategic Growth

Telework Type: Hybrid Type: Full Time Schedule: 9/80

This position may require periodic travel (estimated at <10%) to Leonardo DRS sites, customer locations, and proposal review events.

Key Competencies:

• Proposal Leadership
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Internal Sales and Influence
• Customer Focus
• Compliance Discipline
• Strategic Thinking
• Digital Fluency
• Attention to Detail

Job Summary:

Leonardo DRS Naval Electronics is seeking an experienced, highly collaborative Proposal Manager to lead the development and delivery of compelling, compliant, and customer-focused proposals supporting U.S. Government and international defense opportunities. The Proposal Manager will own the proposal process from opportunity assessment through final submission, coordinating cross-functional teams to develop winning strategies, persuasive content, accurate cost and technical inputs, and fully compliant deliverables. This individual must bring strong defense-industry knowledge, exceptional communication and internal sales skills, disciplined attention to detail, and the ability to drive accountability across a diverse team in a fast-paced environment.

Job Responsibilities:

• Lead assigned proposal efforts from kickoff through submission and lessons learned
• Analyze solicitations, amendments, and related customer documentation
• Partner with various departments to develop competitive, customer-focused responses
• Facilitate proposal strategy sessions and drive alignment around customer requirements
• Lead and influence cross-functional proposal teams
• Coordinate proposal reviews and incorporate stakeholder feedback
• Ensure proposal content is accurate, responsive, well-integrated, persuasive, and tailored to the customer's stated requirements
• Advance the organization's proposal capability through improved processes, reusable content, templates, knowledge-management practices, and responsible adoption of digital tools
• Maintain professional discretion and sound judgment in the handling of sensitive business, customer, technical, and proprietary information

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Communications, English, Engineering, Management, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree
• 7+ years of progressive proposal management, capture support, business development, contracts, program management, or related experience in the aerospace, defense, government contracting, or similarly complex technical industry
• Demonstrated experience managing competitive, high-value proposals for U.S. Government customers, including Department of Defense organizations
• Thorough understanding of the federal acquisition environment, including solicitation requirements, proposal compliance, evaluation criteria, and common proposal-development practices
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple priorities under aggressive deadlines
• Strong written, verbal, presentation, facilitation, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to influence stakeholders and gain commitment without direct authority
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with a demonstrated commitment to compliance, quality, accuracy, and configuration control
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams, and SharePoint

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in a related discipline
• APMP certification or equivalent formal proposal-management training
• Experience supporting proposals involving complex hardware, software, systems integration, sustainment, manufacturing, or defense services
• Familiarity with FAR/DFARS requirements and government-contracting terminology
• Experience with proposal automation, collaboration, content-management, workflow, and knowledge-management tools
• Familiarity with the responsible use of artificial intelligence, generative AI, automation, and other digital tools to improve proposal planning, content development, compliance reviews, data analysis, collaboration, and workflow efficiency

The salary range for this position is $105,000/year - $185,000/year. This range reflects the good faith estimate of pay the employer is willing to offer at the time of posting. Several factors can influence the pay scale, including but not limited to: Federal contract labor categories and contract wage rates, collective bargaining agreements, geographic location, business considerations, scope, and responsibilities of the position, local or other applicable market conditions, and internal equity. Other factors include the candidate's qualifications such as prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education/training, and certifications.

In addition to base pay, employees may be eligible for: annual performance-based bonuses, equity awards, and overtime pay (for non-exempt employees as applicable. Our benefits package includes comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), employer matching 401(k) retirement plan, paid time off including vacation, holidays, and sick leave (including ant state-mandated paid sick leave), parental leave benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional development support, and life and disability insurance coverage.

Taking care of our people is a top priority at Leonardo DRS. We are proud to offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a company contribution to a health savings account, telemedicine, life and disability insurance, legal insurance, and a 401(k) savings plan. We champion wellness programs that focus on physical, emotional, and financial well-being. We develop our talent by offering programs and activities to support career-growth, professional development, and skill enhancement. And we understand there is more to life than work, and the importance of offering flexible work schedules with our 9/80 program, competitive vacation, health/emergency leave, paid parental leave, and community service hours.

Leonardo DRS, Inc. and its subsidiaries provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.