Proposal Development Manager
JOB OVERVIEW
JOB TITLE
Proposal Development Manager
DIVISION/DEPARTMENT
BD
LOCATION
Remote
REPORTS TO:
Chief Revenue Officer
FLSA STATUS:
Exempt
JOB SUMMARY
ISF is seeking a dynamic and experienced Proposal Development Manager (PDM) to lead and enhance our proposal strategy and execution. In this key leadership role, you will oversee the full proposal lifecycle—transforming complex business concepts into clear, persuasive, and high-impact proposals. The PDM will be instrumental in strengthening our competitive edge, particularly in blind solicitations, and will mentor and develop a talented two-person proposal team. This is an exciting opportunity for a self-driven professional to shape best practices, build scalable resources, and play a vital role in accelerating ISF’s continued growth and success.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The Proposal Development Manager responsibilities include:
- End-to-End Proposal Management: Oversee and manage the complete proposal development process, from initial opportunity assessment through final submission. This includes developing and adhering to timelines, assigning responsibilities, and ensuring compliance with all solicitation requirements.
- Quality Assurance and Compliance: Establish and enforce rigorous quality standards for all proposal content, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and alignment with ISF's value proposition and the client's needs.
- Narrative Development: Craft compelling and persuasive proposal narratives that effectively communicate complex business ideas and clearly articulate the value and benefits of ISF's solutions. Ensure a high standard of writing that goes beyond simply "checking the box" to truly connect with the reader.
- Team Leadership and Development: Provide strong leadership and mentorship to the existing proposal development team, fostering their professional growth and skill development.
- Policy, Procedure, and Protocol Development: Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive policies, procedures, protocols, checklists, and workflows to optimize the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposal development process.
- Template and Standards Creation: Design and maintain standardized proposal templates that ensure consistency in branding, formatting, and content structure while allowing for customization to specific opportunities.
- Multi-Million Dollar Proposal Leadership: Confidently manage and lead the development of complex, multi-million dollar proposals, integrating text, images, graphics, charts, and timelines effectively.
- Guidance for Senior Staff: Provide clear and strategic guidance to Client Partners and other senior staff involved in the proposal development process, ensuring alignment on project approach and proposal strategy.
- Content Library Management: Take ownership of the business development SharePoint library, organizing and curating existing proposal content, marketing materials, white papers, and client-facing presentations into a comprehensive and easily accessible resource for the Client Partner team.
- Win Ratio Improvement: Develop and implement strategies aimed at improving win ratios for bids submitted against blind solicitations.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate effectively with Client Partners, subject matter experts, and other internal stakeholders to gather necessary information and ensure proposal accuracy and completeness.
- Graphic Integration (Preferred): Leverage graphic design capabilities to enhance the visual appeal and clarity of proposals through the effective use of images, charts, and other visual elements.
- Additional Tasks: Review internal training content or provide input upon request. May collaborate with the Marketing Strategist by providing proposal-related content or insights that may inform marketing materials.
- Generative AI Utilization: Embrace and strategically utilize Generative AI tools to enhance proposal development efficiency and content creation, while maintaining full responsibility for the accuracy and quality of all generated material.
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., English, Journalism, Marketing, Business Administration).
KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE
Primary Skills
- Proven track record of successfully managing and developing winning proposals, preferably for complex solutions and multi-million dollar opportunities.
- Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills with a demonstrated ability to create powerful and engaging narratives for business audiences.
- Strong understanding of the proposal development lifecycle and best practices.
- Excellent organizational, project management, and time management skills with a meticulous attention to detail.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and implement policies, procedures, and workflows.
- Experience leading and mentoring team members.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint).
- Comfortable working independently and proactively as a self-starter in a remote environment.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to provide clear guidance to senior staff.
Preferred Skills
- Experience with graphic design principles and software.
SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Have the aptitude to work effectively with others, seek input and feedback and leverage collective knowledge and skills to solve problems as a team.
- The skill to think outside the box, generate new ideas and approach problems from unique perspectives to find innovative solutions.
- The capability to assess available options, weigh their pros and cons and make informed decisions that best address the problem at hand.
- Be ambitious and self-directed with excellent communication skills.
We are committed to providing equal opportunity in all of our employment practices, including selection, hiring, promotion, transfer, and compensation, to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation, disability or any other protected status in accordance with the requirements of all federal, state and local laws.