Proposal Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Description

The Proposal Manager leads the firm's proposal and pursuit efforts while managing a seasoned team of Proposal Coordinators. This role is responsible for overseeing proposal operations, ensuring high-quality and compliant submissions, and developing pursuit strategies. The Proposal Manager serves as a mentor and resource to the proposal team, driving process improvements, workload balancing, and professional development while collaborating with technical and executive leadership on strategic opportunities. 

Proposal Leadership & Pursuit Management  

• Lead and oversee the development of proposals, qualifications packages, interview presentations, and marketing deliverables for public and private sector pursuits. 
• Manage high-priority and strategic pursuits from kickoff through submission. 
• Ensure compliance with RFQ, RFP, SOQ, and interview requirements. 
• Establish proposal schedules, assign responsibilities, and monitor progress to meet deadlines. 
• Review and approve final deliverables for quality, consistency, and compliance.

Team Management & Staff Development  

• Supervise, mentor, and develop a team of Proposal Coordinators and marketing staff. 
• Assign workloads and manage team resources to support multiple concurrent pursuits. 
• Conduct performance evaluations, coaching, and career development planning. 
• Provide training on proposal best practices, writing, editing, compliance, and pursuit management. 
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing team culture focused on excellence and continuous improvement.  

Strategic Pursuit Support  

• Partner with project managers and technical staff to develop pursuit strategies. 
• Facilitate go/no-go discussions and capture planning efforts. 
• Identify competitive differentiators and win themes for key pursuits. 
• Support interview preparation, presentation coaching, and client-facing materials. 

Process Improvement & Quality Assurance  

• Develop and maintain proposal standards, templates, and best practices. 
• Implement process improvements to increase efficiency, consistency, and proposal quality. 
• Oversee maintenance of proposal content libraries, project descriptions, resumes, and marketing databases. 
• Monitor proposal metrics, workload forecasting, and win/loss trends. 

Education  

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, English, Journalism, or a related field preferred. 

Experience  

• 10+ years of proposal management, marketing, or business development experience within the A/E/C industry. 
• Experience supporting transportation, infrastructure, environmental, water/wastewater, or building market sectors.
• Previous experience supervising or leading proposal teams. 
• Demonstrated success managing complex, high-value pursuits and strategic proposals. 

Skills & Competencies  

• Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills. 
• Exceptional writing, editing, and communication abilities. 
• Advanced project management and organizational skills. 
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment. 
• Strong understanding of A/E/C procurement processes and qualifications-based selection. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, CRM platforms, and proposal management tools. 
• Experience with Deltek Vision, Deltek Vantagepoint, Salesforce, or similar CRM systems. 

We offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes:   

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401K Retirement Plan; Roth Contributions
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Life, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability
• Paid time off, including 8 federal holidays + 1 floating holiday
• Parental Leave
• Hybrid work model
• Professional/career development tracks
• Positive work/life balance

RDA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and maintains a drug-free workplace.

 
Applicants that require an employment visa sponsorship now or in the future will not be considered.