Proposal Manager

Proposal Manager

Department: Marketing

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Glen Allen, Virginia

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.

What You'll Do:

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.

What You'll Need:

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.

Why Join RDA?

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.

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