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Senior Proposal Specialist

Harris & AssociatesCalifornia, United StatesOnsite
The Senior Proposal Coordinator plays a critical leadership role within the Strategic Pursuits Team, independently managing the most complex, high-profile proposals and interviews. This individual partners with executive leadership, technical staff, marketing and business development to craft strategic, client-focused proposals and interviews that elevate Harris' position in our key markets.
The Senior Proposal Coordinator contributes to the ongoing evolution of our pursuit processes and tools. This individual also serves as a mentor and thought leader across the department—driving innovation, improving content quality, and strengthening Harris’ position throughout the entire pursuit lifecycle. Over time, this individual becomes a go-to expert in Harris’ services, key projects, and staff qualifications, helping to ensure each pursuit reflects a deep, strategic understanding of our capabilities and client priorities.

Key Responsibilities:


Proposal Management:


•    Independently lead multiple large and complex proposals, from RFP release to production, ensuring compelling, strategic, and compliant responses to RFQ/Ps.•    Write compelling qualifications and technical content that reflects a deep understanding of client needs, strategic messaging, and industry trends.•    Conduct interviews with subject matter experts and transform technical input into persuasive content aligned with Harris’ value proposition.•    Lead the conceptualization of strategic visuals and graphics that enhance storytelling and engagement.•    Independently manage proposal schedules, kickoff meetings, and content development, ensuring timely and high-quality submissions. •    Collaborate with teaming partners and subcontractors to develop strategic, well-coordinated responses. •    Ensure compliance with procurement requirements, including Good Faith Efforts (GFE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation, SF 330, and other requirements mandated for public-sector and government-funded projects.Interview & Presentation Strategy:•    Independently lead technical teams and subconsultants through interview preparation, ensuring alignment with client priorities and proposal themes.•    Develop engaging presentation materials based on client hot buttons and key messaging. Capture Planning & Pre-Positioning•    Independently lead pre-positioning efforts, including client and competitor research and capture strategy plans for key pursuits.•    Analyze research, client intelligence, and market positioning to define Harris' value proposition and inform pursuit content.Knowledge Management and Continuous Improvement•    Maintain and update the CRM (Deltek Vantagepoint) system and related marketing databases.•    Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, enhance reporting capabilities, and optimize the system to support firmwide marketing and sales initiatives.•    Analyze sales pipeline and marketing data to support business planning, forecasting, and decision-making.•    Champion the development and refinement of pursuit tools, templates, and best practices to drive operational excellence.

Leadership and Special Projects


•    Mentor and support team members in pursuit execution and professional development.•    Lead departmental or firmwide marketing initiatives and special projects, often in coordination with company leadership.•    Conduct training sessions on proposal best practices, client management, and industry-specific marketing trends.

Education & Experience:


•    Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, Journalism, Graphic Design, or a related field.•    A minimum of 10 years of marketing experience in the A/E/C industry (Program Management and Construction Management experience preferred) with a proven track record of leading marketing functions and driving strategic initiatives.•    Demonstrated experience in leading complex, multidisciplinary pursuits and client presentations.Required Skills/Abilities•    Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, ensuring precision, quality, and attention to detail in all deliverables.•    Strong writing, editing, and strategic messaging skills, with a strong ability to develop persuasive and technically sound content tailored to client needs.•    High emotional intelligence and leadership presence, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.•    Strong understanding of public agency procurement processes, including compliance with GFE, DBE, and SOQ requirements.•    Proficiency with CRM (Deltek Vantagepoint preferred) and Adobe Creative Suite (with a strong emphasis on InDesign)•    Knowledge of AI tools and emerging technologies to enhance proposal development, content generation, and marketing automation.•    Exceptional problem-solving and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple high-stakes deadlines and competing priorities.•    Alignment with Harris’ Shared Values, Purpose, and Vision, fostering a culture of collaboration, excellence, and growth.

Working Conditions


•    This job operates in a hybrid office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. •    This job often travels to other Harris offices and client sites for events, etc.•    This job may occasionally require visits to active job sites. 

Physical requirements 


•    Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer and other office productivity machinery.•    Frequently communicates with colleagues. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations. Requires the ability to talk and hear and see; talking expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear, seeing to read a variety of materials.

Compensation and Benefits


The starting salary range for this position is $95,000 - $125,000. This will be dependent on the experience and expertise of the incoming candidate.We offer competitive salaries and benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401k match, and Employee Stock Ownership program. Harris & Associates is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an EEO/AA employer.  We invite resumes from all interested and qualified candidates including women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities.Harris & Associates is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, marital status, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.#LI-HYBRID

Life at Harris & Associates

Harris & Associates is a singular source for the many highly-experienced professionals needed to successfully complete today's complex planning, construction, and design projects: Gifted engineers, public finance wizards, and shrewd owners representatives. Trusted advisors who understand the interpersonal aspects as well as the technicalwho stay ahead of trends and can see what's coming around the corner. Driven by our shared values to build stronger communities where we live and work, Harris & Associates delivers results for clients across the West Coast in four key markets: education, municipal, transportation, and water. Make one call to Harris & Associates, and you'll see what responsiveness means. That's been the Harris Way since 1974. It's why public, private, and institutional clients keep coming back. Sure, there are bigger firms. We are sized to keep your project a priority, with a team of over 200 employee owners throughout the West Coast who are passionate about their workand about making you look heroic in yours.
Thrive Here & What We ValueCollaborative, forward-thinking team committed to innovation in asset management and public infrastructure</s> | 1. Collaborative environment at a firm that invests heavily in your growth | 2. 100% employeeowned company focused on solving today's complex challenges in planning, design, and construction solutions. | 3. Offices and project sites span the West Coast in California, Nevada, Hawaii, and Washington with a staff of over 260 employeeowners focused on serving clients in the municipal, water, transportation, and education markets. | 4. Growing Consulting Division does industryleading work in environmental planning and compliance, community planning and housing solutions, engineering design, and municipal and district finance. | 5. Expanding scope of services while also building new capabilities in planning, climate change/adaptation, hazard mitigation, resilience, and management consulting.</s> | Dynamic and High-Energy Environment | Focus on Personal and Professional Growth | Collaborative Work Environment | Prioritizing a Healthy Work-Life Balance | Social and Team Building Events</s> | EEO/AA employer committed to creating a diverse environment | Competitive salaries and benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance | Commitment to collaboration, excellence, and growth</s> | 2. Focus on solving today's complex challenges in planning, design, and construction of public infrastructure. | 3. 100% employeeowned company | 4. Commitment to creating a diverse environment | 5. EEO/AA employer</s> | 1. Employee Ownership | 2. Hybrid Work Plan (HWP) | 3. Diverse Environment | 4. EEO/AA Employer | 5. Commitment to Creating a Sustainable Community</s> | Diverse perspectives enhance our ability to better serve clients and their communities | Passionate about our work, clients, team's personal and professional growth | Mentorship program, on-the-job training, Harris University, and annual staff summit aimed at developing well-rounded consultants proficient in the full spectrum of services we provide | Prioritizing a healthy work-life balance and organizing social and team building events.</s> | 2. Work that makes a difference | 3. Firm that invests heavily in employee growth</s> | 1. Dynamic and highenergy environment | 2. Collaborative work environment | 3. Emphasis on personal and professional growth for employees | 4. Prioritizes a healthy worklife balance and organizes social and team building events.</s> | Diverse perspectives enhance ability to better serve clients and their communities | Passionate about work, clients, team's personal and professional growth | Mentorship program, on-the-job training, Harris University, and annual staff summit aimed at developing well-rounded consultants proficient in the full spectrum of services provided | Prioritize a healthy work-life balance and organize social and team building events.</s> | 1. 100% employeeowned company | 2. Focused on solving today's complex challenges in planning, design, and construction of public infrastructure | 3. Offices and project sites span the West Coast in California, Nevada, and Washington with a staff of over 260 employeeowners. | 4. Serve clients in the municipal, water, transportation, and education markets.</s> | 3. Investment in Employee Growth</s> | Harris & Associates values collaboration, growth, and making a difference. They are committed to creating a diverse environment and offer competitive salaries and benefits.</s> | 3. Firm that invests heavily in your growth</s> | 3. Investment in Growth | 4. Diverse Environment | 4. Dynamic and Progressive Environment | 5. Focus on Serving Clients in Municipal, Water, Transportation, and Education Markets</s>
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