Federal Proposal Manager (Contract) - Reston, VA

Job Description

Job Description

Engagement type: Independent consultant, 1099 hourly.
Rate range: $100 - $500 per hour, based on experience and scope (three-tier band detailed below).
Time commitment: Project-based, scales with proposal volume.
Location: Fully remote.
Reports to: GovCon Division Lead, with dotted line to the Federal Capture Director.

A note from the founder

A great proposal is the difference between a captured opportunity and an awarded contract. We have the capture motion ramping up. We need the operator who turns the captured opportunity into a compliant, compelling, on-time response, and who builds the response library so every future proposal moves faster than the last.

What is already built

The Wilkinson Firm is a workforce strategy and staffing firm headquartered across NC and Atlanta. We launched in April 2025 and are now in Year 2 of operations. Two operational divisions today (HR Advisory for the mental health industry, Premium Hospitality and Event Staffing). Government Contracting division being formally stood up this quarter. Three active staffing contracts in delivery. FY26 trajectory $425-525K. Zero loans, zero institutional debt.

Bench credentials: Former EEOC Administrative Law Judge, employment attorneys (JD, MBA), clinical advisors, 32-year enterprise operations specialist. 47 combined years HHS experience.

What you own

• Full proposal lifecycle: kickoff, compliance matrix, schedule, color-team reviews (pink, red, gold), production, submission
• Technical writing and editing across executive summary, technical approach, management approach, past performance, and resumes of key personnel
• Compliance matrix ownership: every shall, every Section L and M requirement, every page count, every font and margin spec
• Response library build: past performance citations, key personnel resumes, technical narratives, reusable management approach modules, pricing structures
• Coordination with the Federal Capture Director on win themes, discriminators, and ghosting strategy
• Coordination with subcontractor partners on teaming inputs and price submissions
• Post-submission tracking, debrief capture, and lessons-learned documentation

Engagement structure

Hourly consulting rate, three tiers calibrated to experience and scope:

• Writer ($100-175/hr): Proposal writers and coordinators with 3-7 years federal proposal experience
• Manager ($175-325/hr): Proposal managers with documented win history and full-lifecycle ownership
• Principal ($325-500/hr): Senior proposal directors with multi-million-dollar award history and Tier 1 prime experience

Engagement is hourly. Per-proposal scope and budget defined at proposal kickoff. Win-based bonus stack negotiable on top of hourly rate for proposals that result in awarded contracts.

Success milestones

• First 60 days: Proposal process documented. Compliance matrix template built. Response library framework established with 5+ reusable past performance citations.
• First 120 days: First 1-2 proposals submitted on time, compliant, and competitive. Color-team review cadence established.
• First 180 days: 3-5 proposals submitted. First award or shortlist position. Response library covers 80% of TWF's standard content needs.

Who you are

• 5-15 years in federal proposal management, technical writing, or capture support
• Documented track record managing $1M+ federal proposals through full lifecycle to submission
• Shipley-trained or equivalent. APMP credential preferred
• Fluent in FAR/DFARS, RFP structure (Sections L and M), and compliance matrix methodology
• Strong writing voice: clear, persuasive, and adaptable across technical and management content
• Comfortable working both as lead writer and as orchestrator of subject matter expert input
• Past performance citations in workforce services, HHS programs, hospitality contracting, or staffing IDIQs preferred
• Located anywhere in the US

Bonus points

• Prior role at a Tier 1 GovCon prime or boutique proposal shop
• Experience with VA, HHS, DoD behavioral health, or federal hospitality contracts
• Pricing strategy fluency (cost narrative, BOEs, indirect rate structures)
• Experience standing up a proposal function inside an emerging GovCon firm

How we will get to know each other

1. Initial 30-minute fit conversation with the GovCon Division Lead
2. Working session: walk through a real proposal scenario we are actively considering or recently submitted
3. Reference checks (3+ professional references) and work history verification
4. Engagement letter, scope of work, and rate confirmation
5. Kickoff within 7 days of signed engagement

What we believe

Trust before revenue. Mission before money. Real seats, real upside. We build durable federal relationships through earned credibility. We win together. We pay people in real numbers, not pizza parties.

Application tips

1. Visit thewilkinsonfirm.com, hr.thewilkinsonfirm.com, hospitality.thewilkinsonfirm.com
2. Find The Wilkinson Firm on LinkedIn
3. In your cover note, answer two questions: (1) what's the engagement shape that works best for you (project-based, retained hours, hybrid), and (2) one example of a federal proposal you would point to as your strongest reference work

What to expect from us

• Reply within 48 hours
• First-round conversation within 7 days of qualification
• Full process: 2-4 weeks
• We tell you yes or no. We do not ghost.