Proposal Specialist

SmithGroup is an integrated design firm with a reputation for cultivating a top-ranked culture while pioneering award-winning innovative design solutions. We blend research, data and technology with ingenuity and a creative spirit to deliver resilient, inclusive spaces that solve our clients' greatest challenges. Our teams create exceptional design solutions for healthcare, science and technology, workplace, mixed use, higher education, cultural, waterfront, parks and open spaces, and urban environments. We are looking for passionate problem solvers who want to elevate design, push boundaries and create a more resilient future.


The San Francisco office of SmithGroup is looking for a Proposal Specialist to join our team.


Working with us, you will:

Proposal and Pursuit Presentations (70%):

• Serves as project manager for the coordination, writing, editing and production of statements of qualifications, proposals, presentations and other marketing collateral.
• Guides the development and execution of go/no-go decision-making, planning, and win strategies to successfully capture work.
• Participates in pre-interview planning and presentation rehearsal with design teams and help develop and apply the established win strategy in presentation materials.

• Assists in the development of pursuit strategy.
• Assists with interview coaching.
• Development/maintenance of sector focused boilerplate to be used as master in proposals.
• May lead the development of proposal sections of major strategic pursuits.
• Coordinates, writes, edits/tailors, and performs research for non-technical proposal sections.

• Solicits and coordinates information from allied professionals, sub consultants and other team members for inclusion in proposal and presentation materials.

Messaging & Strategy (20%):

• Analyze and interpret Practice portfolios and associated market expertise along with key trends and drivers that impact the market and translate them into actionable marketing content and win strategies.
• Serves as the key marketing liaison to studio principal(s).

• Participates in key regional initiatives including thought leadership and events.
• Participates in brand building including the development of key market-level messaging.
• Assists in capture planning research.
• Serves as a subject matter expert on, advocate, and actively follow marketing and brand guidelines and procedures.

Information Systems & Administration (10%):

• Maintains firmwide database with employee, project and proposal information on an ongoing basis.
• Gathers, formats and maintains accurate, up-to-date firm marketing information including staff bios, project descriptions and statistics, and other information for marketing purposes.

An Ideal Candidate has:

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Journalism, Communications, or related field required.
• Minimum of 5 years of work experience in the A/E/C industry required.
• CPSM certification preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and InDesign required.
• Knowledge of Dynamics and OpenAsset preferred.

• Excellent knowledge of marketing fundamentals.
• Solid understanding of A/E/C industry terminology and delivery methods.
• Ability to understand the principles of layout and graphic as they relate to the development of marketing and sales collateral.
• Ability to communicate complex concepts and storytelling in both written and graphic form.
• Excellent time and project management skills, passion for details and ability to work on multiple assignments simultaneously while maintaining a high level of quality and accuracy.

• The ability to think creatively and strategically.
• Strong technical, graphic, and presentation skills.

At SmithGroup, we are committed to helping our staff thrive with great projects and time to unwind. We offer flexible scheduling, a hybrid work environment, 3 weeks of PTO within your first year of employment with the option of purchasing additional time off, 8 paid federal holidays, plus 15 extra Fridays off! Our benefits plan includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, wellbeing resources, paid parental leave, a flex spending account and voluntary insurance options. We invest in your future through our 401(k) program with employer matching, tuition reimbursement program, one-on-one career coaching and professional development opportunities. While we may ultimately pay more or less than a posted salary range, at the time of posting the anticipated salary range for this position is $86,000 to $94,000 annually and you are eligible for a performance-based bonus each year. To be considered for this role, please create a profile and apply!


Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws. If you require reasonable accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to View email address on click.appcast.io.