Job Description

• Serve as Proposal Manager on federal opportunities, managing the end-to-end proposal lifecycle in accordance with the Shipley or similar proposal development methodology.
• Analyze RFPs, RFQs, and RFIs to develop compliant proposal outlines, compliance matrices, and annotated outlines aligned to Sections L and M.
• Manage multiple, concurrent proposal activities and live RFP’s.
• Build and maintain proposal schedules, ensuring all internal milestones (kickoff, Pink Team, Red Team, Gold Team, production, and submission) are met on time.
• Coordinate and facilitate proposal kickoff meetings, storyboarding sessions, and color team reviews; consolidate reviewer feedback into actionable edits.
• Partner with capture managers, technical leads, and subject matter experts to translate win themes and discriminators into clear, compliant, and persuasive proposal content.
• Write, edit, and tighten proposal sections as needed, including executive summaries, management approaches, and past performance narratives.
• Manage pricing/cost volume coordination with finance and contracts staff to ensure alignment between technical and cost volumes.
• Ensure final proposal packages meet all formatting, page limit, and submission requirements.
• Maintain and organize proposal templates, boilerplate content, resumes, and past performance libraries in SharePoint (or other content management system), ensuring content is current, easy to locate, and properly version-controlled to support future pursuits. Support debrief analysis and lessons-learned sessions to continuously improve proposal quality and win rates.
• Train junior proposal writers on proposal development best practices, compliance requirements, desktop publishing, and effective technical/narrative writing

• 2–5 years of experience managing or supporting proposals for U.S. federal government clients (civilian and defense).
• Demonstrated experience and expertise with using AI in all aspects of proposal operations.
• Working knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and federal procurement processes, including familiarity with Sections C, L, and M of RFPs.
• Demonstrated experience developing compliance matrices, proposal outlines, and managing color team review cycles.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent proposal efforts and shifting deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to synthesize technical input into clear, client-focused narrative.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, SharePoint) and Adobe Acrobat.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage tight, non-negotiable federal submission deadlines.

• Experience with federal opportunity-tracking and market research tools.
• Familiarity with Shipley Associates proposal methodology or equivalent formal proposal training/certification.
• Prior experience supporting proposals for a specific agency vertical (specifically Navy, DOJ, SEC, Treasury, or USAF).
• Exposure to desktop publishing/graphic coordination for proposal layout and design.
• Experience supporting Task Order proposals under GWACs or IDIQs (specifically GSA MAS, OASIS+, SEWP, or MDA SHIELD).

• Compliance-first mindset with meticulous attention to detail
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Collaborative, calm-under-pressure team leadership style
• Clear, persuasive business writing and editing
• Adaptability across multiple simultaneous proposal efforts
• Ability to coach and develop others in proposal writing and process

• Bachelor's degree in business, communications, English, public administration, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

•  McLean, VA (hybrid: Tuesday – Thursday in office); remote considered for the right candidate

•  Not required; ability to obtain Public Trust may be requested for certain engagements

• Employment Classification Eligibility — W2  

• Salary range: $100,000 – $110,000
• Benefits: Benefits package includes options for health, dental, and vision insurance coverage; 401k contribution options. Full benefits brochure available for review.