Proposal Manager

Proposal Manager

The Proposal Manager leads the development of strategic, compliant, and persuasive proposals that support the company's growth objectives across infrastructure and construction markets. This role manages the full proposal lifecycle—from opportunity planning and kickoff through submission and interview preparation—while coordinating cross-functional teams including operations, estimating, engineering, business development, marketing, and executive leadership.

The Proposal Manager serves as the central leader of the pursuit process, ensuring proposals clearly communicate the company's technical expertise, delivery approach, differentiators, and value to clients across a variety of delivery models including Bid-Build, CMAR, CMGC, Progressive Design-Build, and Design-Build. This role also leads qualifications-based submissions including Statements of Qualifications (SOQs), Requests for Qualifications (RFQs), and prequalification packages.

Backed by over 100 years of expertise and driven by innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit, Shimmick is one of the most dynamic infrastructure builders in the industry. With market leadership in water resources, sustainable transportation, and complex electrical construction, we're well-positioned to lead during a time of rapid change. As project delivery models, regulatory frameworks, supply chains, and technology continue to evolve, our ability to stay flexible and agile in our proposal approach is essential to our success.

Responsibilities

Proposal Leadership & Management

• Lead the end-to-end development of proposals, qualifications packages, bids, RFQs, RFPs, SOQs, presentations, and interview materials.

• Manage pursuits across multiple delivery methods including Bid-Build, Design-Build, CMAR, CMGC, and Progressive Design-Build.

• Develop proposal schedules, compliance matrices, outlines, assignment trackers, and production plans to manage deliverables and deadlines.

• Facilitate kickoff meetings, strategy sessions, review meetings, and ongoing proposal coordination meetings.

• Drive proposal strategy, win themes, messaging, and differentiators in collaboration with business development and operations leadership.

• Ensure submissions are compliant, compelling, visually cohesive, and aligned with client priorities and evaluation criteria.

• Manage multiple concurrent pursuits with varying deadlines and complexity levels.

Qualifications & Bid-Build Support

• Lead development of qualifications-based submissions including RFQs, SOQs, prequalifications, annual owner renewals, and contractor qualification packages.

• Coordinate Bid-Build proposal efforts including bid forms, certifications, technical narratives, subcontractor outreach coordination, and submission requirements.

• Work closely with estimating teams to support bid-day deliverables and ensure alignment between technical and pricing components.

• Coordinate collection and maintenance of required forms, licenses, bonding, insurance documentation, safety information, and financial qualification materials.

Content Development & Strategy

• Write, edit, and tailor proposal content including executive summaries, project approaches, technical narratives, resumes, and past performance profiles.

• Interview subject matter experts and operations staff to develop project-specific technical approaches and innovative solutions.

• Translate complex technical information into clear, persuasive, client-focused messaging.

• Support development of collaborative delivery strategies and owner-focused technical solutions.

• Ensure consistent voice, tone, branding, and messaging across all deliverables.

Team Coordination

• Coordinate with estimating, operations, engineering, legal, risk, insurance, procurement, and executive leadership teams throughout the pursuit lifecycle.

• Work closely with graphic designers to develop proposal visuals, infographics, process diagrams, and presentation materials.

• Support interview preparation including messaging development, storyboard coordination, rehearsals, and coaching.

• Mentor proposal coordinators and junior marketing staff on proposal processes and best practices.

Compliance & Quality Control

• Review solicitation documents and ensure compliance with all owner requirements and submission instructions.

• Manage document version control, formatting standards, and final quality reviews.

• Conduct detailed proofreading and quality assurance reviews prior to submission.

• Coordinate electronic and hard-copy production and final delivery of proposals and bid submissions.

Process Improvement

• Support development and implementation of proposal processes, templates, tools, and standard operating procedures.

• Maintain proposal content libraries, resumes, project profiles, and lessons learned documentation.

• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, collaboration, and proposal quality across teams.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree + 4 years of related experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education.
• Strong understanding of infrastructure construction and engineering terminology.

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of proposal management, marketing, or pursuit experience in construction, engineering, architecture, or related professional services industry.
• Experience managing Bid-Build proposals and qualifications-based submissions required.
• Experience managing complex infrastructure proposals preferred, including transportation, water/wastewater, heavy civil, transit, or energy projects.
• Experience supporting alternative delivery pursuits such as CMAR, Progressive Design-Build, CMGC, or Design-Build strongly preferred.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities with the capability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and work effectively with technical professionals and leadership teams.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• High attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, and proposal management tools.
• Experience with Adobe InDesign, CRM systems, and collaborative document platforms preferred.
• Ability to thrive in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments.
• Collaborative leadership style with strong interpersonal skills.
• Proactive, adaptable, and solutions-oriented mindset.
• Ability to influence teams and drive accountability without direct authority.

Additional Information:

• This position is based in Irvine, CA; Suisun City, CA; Denver, CO; or a remote location within the United States.
• Hybrid or remote work environment with occasional travel for strategy meetings, interviews, and project pursuits.
• Ability to work extended hours during major proposal efforts, bid submissions, and pursuit deadlines.
• Qualified applicants who are offered a position must pass a pre-employment substance abuse test.
• This position does not include sponsorship for a United States work authorization.

The salary range for this position is between $110,000-$140,000 per year depending on experience and/or education.

Shimmick's comprehensive benefits plan includes medical, dental and vision coverage; as well as options to participate in an FSA or HSA. The Company also provides employer paid STD, LTD, basic life and AD&D, and an Employee Assistance Program. Additional voluntary benefit offerings include pet insurance, hospital indemnity, critical illness insurance, legal and identity theft protection.

These benefits are available to all employees working more than 20 hours per week. Employees working less than 20 hours per week are eligible for medical, dental and vision coverage as well as EAP services.

NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES: Please note that Shimmick does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Recruitment Fee Agreement, Shimmick will not consider or agree to payment of any referral compensation or recruiter fee. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement, Shimmick explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Shimmick.

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, disability, or status as a protected veteran.