Proposal Manager

Brief Description At Ghirardelli Associates we take pride in the accomplishments of our Associates and the environment that we foster. As a Great Place to Work, we strive to provide continuous growth and opportunities for our employees with the best benefits package and competitive wages we can offer. We’re not just an employer, we are family! We are proud to shape the communities we live in, while creating a positive environment for our associates to foster creativity and growth. Associate Perks Competitive PTO 9 Paid Holidays Bonus Programs Company Vehicle (depending on assignment) Medical Insurance Vision Plan Health Spending Account (HSA) Wellness Rewards Program Life Insurance Profit Sharing 401(k) Plan (employer matching program) Position Summary The Proposal Manager plays a pivotal role in Ghirardelli’s strategic growth by leading the development and submission of competitive, high-quality proposals and statements of qualifications for projects within the firm’s market sectors. This role requires a high level of independent judgment, strategic thinking, and cross-functional collaboration with Business Development, technical teams, and executive leadership. The Proposal Manager is responsible for ensuring proposals align with company goals, client requirements, and industry’s best practices. Duties And Responsibilities Proposal Development & Strategy Lead the full lifecycle of proposal development, from strategy formulation to submission. Develop win themes, value propositions, and competitive differentiation strategies to enhance proposal success rates. Analyze RFPs and client requirements, ensuring all proposals align with the company’s strategic objectives. Provide guidance and oversight on proposal content, messaging, and compliance. Leadership & Coordination Independently manage and prioritize multiple high-value proposals while meeting strict deadlines. Collaborate with division directors, project managers, and subject matter experts to develop proposal content. Oversee the proposal process, including costing proposals, working closely with Finance and Operations Support teams. Act as a key decision‑maker in proposal execution, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and quality. Manage interview preparation, coordinating with Business Development and technical leads to develop presentation materials and ensure cohesive messaging. Mentors and develops marketing coordinators. Quality Assurance & Compliance Conduct thorough reviews and edits of proposal content to maintain accuracy, clarity, and alignment with client expectations. Reviews proposal deliverables produced by staff. Ensure proposals meet Ghirardelli’s quality standards and compliance requirements. Oversee submission logistics, ensuring all proposals are formatted, packaged, and delivered according to deadlines. Establishes proposal best practices and standards. Assists in oversight of the proposal library and content management systems. Business Development & Strategic Impact Partner with Business Development to support client engagement, industry outreach, and project award submissions. Identify opportunities for process improvement in the proposal development lifecycle. Maintain a deep understanding of industry trends, competitors, and market positioning to enhance proposal success rates. As a Proposal Manager at Ghirardelli Associates, you will have access to proprietary company information, client data, and strategic business development plans. Maintaining the confidentiality of this information is critical to the success of the company. Unauthorized disclosure of confidential or sensitive information, including but not limited to proposals, pricing structures, contract negotiations, internal business strategies, and client‑related materials, is strictly prohibited. Physical Demands and Working Conditions The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the associate is regularly required to sit for up to 6 to 8 hours per day. The associate frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feet. Repetitive reaching, repetitive hand use. The associate is occasionally required to stand. The associate must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Equal Employment Opportunity Ghirardelli Associates is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. Wage Range $105,000 to $135,000 per year The wage range listed above is for this specific job posting and hire. #J-18808-Ljbffr Ghirardelli Associates