Proposal Manager (Federal and Defense Business Development & Contracting )

About The Role We are seeking a skilled and results‑driven Proposal Manager to lead the development of winning proposals in response to U.S. federal government and defense solicitations. This role is critical to our growth strategy, focusing on complex, competitive bids where structured processes, compliance excellence, and customer‑focused storytelling differentiate us from the competition. Proposal Leadership & Process Management Lead end‑to‑end proposal development, management, and writing of federal RFPs, RFQs, RFIs, and other solicitation responses, following structured, repeatable processes that emphasize compliance, responsiveness, and win strategy. Develop and maintain proposal schedules, compliance matrices, outlines, storyboards, and production plans aligned with government instructions (Section L) and evaluation criteria (Section M). Plan, facilitate, and document disciplined color‑team reviews to validate strategy, compliance, customer focus, and competitiveness, incorporating feedback to drive iterative improvements. Coordinate with C‑Suite, Business Development, technical SMEs, pricing analysts, contracts specialists, and graphics teams to translate capture strategies and win themes into persuasive, customer‑centric proposal content. Manage proposal production, including editing, formatting, graphics integration, version control, and final assembly for timely electronic or hard‑copy submission via government portals such as SAM.gov, PIEE, eBUY, and agency‑specific systems. Strategic & Compliance Focus Ensure full compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS where applicable), and agency‑specific requirements throughout the proposal lifecycle. Incorporate and reinforce win themes, discriminators, past performance evidence, and value propositions that directly address customer hot buttons and evaluation factors. Support pricing‑to‑win strategies, cost volume development, and past performance volume assembly in collaboration with relevant functional leads. Prepare for and support oral presentations, discussions, or communications as required by the solicitation and assist with post‑submittal activities including EN responses and debrief analysis. Process Improvement & Knowledge Management Maintain and improve proposal templates, style guides, reusable content libraries, and lessons‑learned repositories to increase efficiency and quality on future pursuits. Contribute to capture planning and pre‑RFP positioning activities when assigned, helping shape opportunities and gather intelligence that feeds successful proposals. Promote adoption of best practices in proposal management across the organization. Track proposal metrics such as win rates, compliance scores, and cycle times, and recommend process enhancements to continuously improve competitive positioning. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, English, Engineering, Public Administration, or a related field. Advanced degree or relevant certifications are a plus. 3–5 years of direct experience managing proposals in response to U.S. federal government solicitations, with a strong track record in defense, aerospace, intelligence, or related mission‑critical sectors. Demonstrated formal knowledge of the FAR, federal source selection processes, solicitation structures (Sections B–M), compliance requirements, and the complete formal bid/proposal cycle from RFP release through award. Proven ability to lead cross‑functional teams of 5–20+ members in fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environments. Exceptional project management, written/verbal communication, editing, and interpersonal skills. Advanced Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint), Adobe Acrobat Pro, and familiarity with proposal collaboration, content management, and AI/ML tools. U.S. citizenship required; ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance (Secret or higher) is highly desirable for defense‑related work. Preferred Qualifications & Certifications Shipley Certification: Shipley Business Winning Certification (One Star or higher) or completion of core Shipley courses. APMP Certification: Association of Proposal Management Professionals Foundation, Practitioner, or Professional certification. Hands‑on experience with DFARS, agency‑specific FAR supplements, Other Transaction Agreements, or classified proposal handling. Direct involvement in capture planning/pre‑RFP positioning, pricing‑to‑win strategies, past performance volume development, oral preparation, or post‑award debrief analysis. Experience with AI‑assisted proposal tools, advanced graphics/storyboarding techniques, or enterprise proposal automation platforms. What Success Looks Like Fluency in the full business development lifecycle—from opportunity assessment and capture shaping through proposal execution and post‑submittal activities. A process‑driven mindset that applies repeatable best practices while tailoring to the unique customer and competitive environment. Ability to remain calm and decisive under pressure, balancing strategic storytelling with rigorous compliance and schedule adherence. Strong coaching and facilitation skills to elevate the team’s output during reviews and iterations. A growth orientation—continuously learning, mentoring others, and contributing to organizational proposal maturity. Why Join Our Team We offer a remote‑friendly, mission‑focused environment where proposal professionals can build deep federal and defense expertise while contributing directly to company growth. The role includes opportunities for professional development, mentorship from experienced business development leaders, and support for Shipley, APMP, and related certifications. Eligible employees may participate in a performance‑based bonus structure tied to successful proposal outcomes. #J-18808-Ljbffr Heartland Consulting