Proposal Manager

The Proposal/Bid Manager is responsible for leading the end-to-end process of developing and submitting compelling, high-quality, and compliant proposals (RFPs, RFIs, ITTs) to secure new contracts and drive business growth. This role requires strong project management, leadership, communication, and strategic thinking skills.

Key Responsibilities

1. Bid Process Management & Coordination:

* Manage the entire bid lifecycle from opportunity identification and qualification through to submission, presentations, and post-submission debrief.

* Develop and manage the proposal plan, including work-back schedules, resource allocation, and budget.

* Conduct kick-off meetings and facilitate regular progress reviews with all internal and external stakeholders.

* Ensure timely and compliant submission of all proposal documents.

2. Strategy Development & Leadership:

* Analyze client requirements (RFP/RFI/ITT) and work with sales and leadership to develop a winning bid strategy, including key win themes, value propositions, and competitive positioning.

* Lead and motivate cross-functional teams (including Sales, Technical Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), Legal, Finance, and Operations) to gather content and ensure alignment with the overall strategy.

* Oversee the development of commercial terms and work with pricing teams to ensure competitive and profitable pricing models.

3. Content Development & Quality Control:

* Direct and/or contribute to the writing and editing of persuasive, clear, and compliant proposal content, including executive summaries, technical responses, and case studies.

* Ensure the final proposal is cohesive, compelling, and addresses all client requirements and evaluation criteria.

* Conduct thorough quality assurance checks ("Color Team" reviews) and compliance reviews before submission.

4. Tools and Process Improvement:

* Develop, maintain, and manage a centralized content library (boilerplate, case studies, templates) for efficient reuse.

* Analyze win/loss data and client feedback to identify trends and continuously improve the proposal development process and win rates.

* Implement and manage proposal management software and tools.

5. Stakeholder Communication:

* Act as the primary point of contact for internal stakeholders and, at times, directly with the client during the bid phase to address clarifications and manage communications.

* Present proposal progress and strategy updates to executive management.

Qualifications and Skills Required:

* Bachelor's Degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience).

* Proven experience in a Proposal Management or Bid Management role, successfully leading complex, high-value bids.

* Exceptional project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple simultaneous bids under tight deadlines.

* Excellent written and verbal communication, editing, and presentation skills.

* Strong leadership and team-building capabilities, with the ability to influence and coordinate diverse internal teams.

* Meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to quality and compliance.

Preferred:

* Relevant professional certification (e.g., APMP - Association of Proposal Management Professionals).

* Experience with specific industry sectors (e.g., IT, Construction, Consulting, Government).

* Familiarity with proposal management software (e.g., Loopio, Shipley methodology).

* Strong commercial and financial acumen.