Senior Proposal Manager

At Imagine Believe Realize, LLC (IBR) we are driven by innovation, transformation and a relentless pursuit of excellence. As an industry leader delivering impactful results, we thrive on solving complex technical challenges and developing cutting-edge solutions that empower our customers and advance critical missions.

IBR is a fast-growing company fueled by passion, curiosity, and innovative thinking – where every team member has the opportunity to continuously learn, unlock their full potential, and redefine what is possible in engineering and technology. If you are inspired by innovation, eager to make a difference, and ready to bring your creativity and expertise to a mission-focused team, we invite you to join us and together, we will shape the future. Let’s Make It Real!

The Senior Proposal Manager must be able to meet the key criteria below:

Location: Hybrid-Remote. This position requires the ability to report to the Alexandria, VA office up to once per week and travel throughout the Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) area for capture planning sessions, customer meetings, and industry events as business needs require.

Years’ Experience: 6+ years proposal management experience for Federal Contracts

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field.

Security Clearance: IBR is a federal contractor. Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.

NOTE: United States Citizenship is required as part of the eligibility criteria to be able to obtain this type of security clearance.

Employment Type: Full Time

Work Schedules: IBR promotes work-life balance by offering flexible scheduling options. Standard business hours are aligned to the Eastern Time Zone.

Key Skills:

• Minimum of 6 years of experience managing proposals for Federal government contracts.
• Knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and government procurement processes.
• Develop proposal outlines, compliance matrices, and annotated outlines based on detailed analysis of solicitation requirements.
• Must have experience managing the development of complex proposals in response to government solicitations, including Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Requests for Information (RFIs) and other competitive opportunities.
• Must be highly proficient in desktop publishing activities using the Microsoft (MS) Office Suite including MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint in other tools with a high attention to detail and a track record of delivering work products with minimal defects

Position Overview

IBR is a growing, innovative Federal IT services company known for delivering exceptional solutions for customers. We are committed to pushing the boundaries of technology to deliver unparalleled solutions to help our customers achieve their desired outcomes. As we continue to grow, we are seeking a Senior Proposal Manager to play a pivotal role in supporting future growth and proposal submissions.

As a Senior Proposal Manager, you will assist in managing the development of complex proposals in response to government solicitations, including RFPs, and other competitive opportunities. As part of the proposal management team, you will coordinate with cross-functional teams to produce compliant, competitive, and high-quality proposal submissions that align with IBR's strategic objectives.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and direct all aspects of the proposal development lifecycle from opportunity assessment through final submission.
• Lead proposal kickoff meetings, establish proposal schedules and milestones, and ensure all deliverables meet quality standards and submission deadlines.
• Develop proposal outlines, compliance matrices, and annotated outlines based on detailed analysis of solicitation requirements including Sections L (Proposal Instructions), M (Evaluation Criteria), and C (Statement of Work/Performance Work Statement).
• Interpret complex solicitation requirements and translate them into actionable proposal strategies.
• Coordinate and direct proposal teams including technical writers, subject matter experts, capture managers, pricing analysts, and graphic designers to ensure seamless collaboration and timely completion of all proposal volumes.
• Conduct compliance reviews throughout the proposal development process to verify that all solicitation requirements are addressed and properly cited.
• Lead color team reviews (Pink, Red, Gold) and implement quality control processes to ensure proposal responsiveness, technical accuracy, and persuasive messaging. Support color reviews as needed.
• Perform formatting/spelling/grammar reviews as the last line of defense to ensure the materials are the highest quality possible.
• Provide strategic input during capture planning to shape proposal win strategies, discriminators, and competitive positioning.
• Develop and maintain proposal templates, style guides, and best practices to ensure consistency across all proposal efforts.
• Manage proposal content libraries and knowledge management systems to facilitate reuse of winning proposal content.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet strict deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to lead and motivate cross-functional teams toward common objectives.
• Ability to think strategically and develop competitive win themes and discriminators.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive business information with discretion.
• Mentor and develop junior proposal staff, providing guidance on proposal best practices, government contracting requirements, and professional development.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience managing proposals for Federal government contracts.
• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
• Experience must include managing all phases of the proposal lifecycle from opportunity assessment through final submission.
• Demonstrated experience developing proposals for civilian and/or defense agencies.
• Thorough knowledge of government solicitation requirements including evaluation criteria, past performance requirements, and technical approach expectations.
• Experience must include leading the development of complex, multi-volume proposals exceeding $10 million in contract value.
• Knowledge of FAR and government procurement processes.
• Comprehensive understanding of proposal development methodologies including compliance matrix development, outline creation, color team reviews, and quality assurance processes.
• Advanced skills in developing compliance matrices, annotated outlines, and proposal management plans.
• Knowledge of proposal writing best practices including active voice, customer-focused language, and persuasive writing techniques.
• Knowledge of compliance requirements, quality assurance methodologies, corporate capabilities, past performance, and competitive positioning strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent proposals under tight deadlines.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to clearly articulate complex technical concepts.
• Superior writing, editing, and proofreading skills with meticulous attention to detail.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Proficient desktop publishing and formatting skills to produce professional, polished proposal documents.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage stakeholder expectations.

Application Deadline:

Applications will be reviewed as received and accepted on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early application is strongly encouraged.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

This role primarily involves sedentary work, in a workplace and/or home office environment. There are some physical demands associated with the role, including:

• Extended periods of sitting and working at a computer workstation.
• Occasional lifting and carrying of equipment or materials weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Occasional travel to client sites or meetings may be required.
• Work may need to be performed in a fast-paced environment requiring quick decision making.
• Flexible work arrangements may be available based on business needs.
• Will be exposed to a wide variety of clients in differing functions, personalities, and abilities.

Benefits and Compensation Information
At Imagine Believe Realize, LLC (IBR), we recognize that our employees are our greatest asset. We are committed to attracting and retaining exceptional talent by offering competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and programs that support employees' health, financial well-being, professional growth, and work-life balance. Eligible employees enjoy a robust total rewards package that includes:

• Nationwide medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 3 weeks of Paid Time Off and 11 Paid Federal Holidays
• 401k matching
• Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability at no cost to our employees
• Supplemental insurance options
• Flexible spending accounts and Dependent Care spending accounts
• Wellness incentives
• Reimbursement for professional development and certifications
• Access to training assistance opportunities to support career growth and progression
• Hybrid and Remote work opportunities to support work-life balance

Salary Range: $130,000.00 - $150,000.00 USD annually.

This salary range represents the anticipated range for this position at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on qualifications, experience, work location, internal equity, and business needs.

Apply Today

If you are ready to grow your career and make an impact, then we encourage you to apply today by submitting an application. We welcome you to explore additional job opportunities listed on our careers page

Applicants who require alternative assistance with the application or interview process may request reasonable accommodations by contacting us using the contact information provided below:

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Compliance and Regulatory Statements

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

Imagine Believe Realize, LLC (IBR) is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected characteristics such as race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, creed, age, national origin, disability (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), marital status, veteran status, or any other applicable legally protected class in accordance with federal, state, and local laws.

Employment Eligibility

Employment with IBR is contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment requirements, including verification of identity and authorization to work in the United States. The Company participates in the federal E-Verify program and will verify the identity and employment eligibility of all newly hired employees in accordance with applicable federal law.

Please Note: Certain positions may require U.S. citizenship, the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance, or other government contract eligibility requirements. Such requirements will be identified in the individual job posting where applicable.

Individuals with Disabilities

Imagine Believe Realize, LLC (IBR) is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities and to making reasonable accommodations to enable them to apply for positions and perform the essential functions of their jobs. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at View email address on click.appcast.io.

Veterans

Imagine Believe Realize, LLC (IBR) is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified protected veterans and to making reasonable accommodations to enable them to apply for positions and perform the essential functions of their jobs in accordance with the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA). If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at View email address on click.appcast.io

Pay Transparency

The anticipated compensation range for this position will be provided in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local pay transparency laws. Actual compensation offered will be determined based on factors such as the candidate's skills, qualifications, experience, education, geographic location, internal equity, and business needs.

In addition to base pay, eligible employees may be offered a comprehensive benefits package, paid time off, retirement benefits, bonus opportunities, and other programs, where applicable. Eligibility for benefits and incentive programs is governed by the terms of the applicable plans and company policies.