Senior 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 Diego office of SmithGroup is looking for a Senior Proposal Specialist to join our team.


Working with us, you will:

Proposal and Pursuit Presentations (70%)

• Serve as project manager for the coordination, writing, editing and production of statements of qualifications, proposals, presentations and other marketing collateral.
• Guide the development and execution of go/no-go decision-making, planning, and win strategies to successfully capture work.
• Lead pursuit strategy and interview coaching.
• Develop/maintain sector focused boilerplate to be used as master in proposals.
• Provide significant support to and/or take ownership of proposal sections of major strategic pursuits.

Messaging & Strategy (25%)

• Serve as the lead regional marketer for a specific market(s).
• Maintain a deep understanding of the Practice portfolio and expertise along with key trends and drivers impacting the market and translate them into actionable marketing content and win strategies.
• Partner with the Marketing Strategist to develop market-specific content and collateral for internal and external use.
• Lead or support key Practice initiatives including thought leadership and events.
• Lead brand building including the development of key market-level messaging.
• Assist in capture planning strategy and research.

Information Systems & Administration (5%)

• Update firmwide database with employee, project and proposal information on an ongoing basis.
• Mentor and/or provides pursuit oversight for more junior staff.

An ideal candidate has:

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Journalism, Communications, or related field or equivalent experience required.
• Minimum of 7 years of work experience in the A/E/C industry required.
• CPSM certification preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and InDesign required.
• Working knowledge of Deltek Vision and OpenAsset preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of marketing fundamentals and A/E/C industry terminology.
• Ability to communicate complex concepts and storytelling in both written and graphic form.
• The ability to successfully mentor more junior marketing staff on pursuits.
• 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.
• Advanced 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 $93,000 to $121,000 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.