Summary
The Proposal Manager leads the planning, coordination, development, and submission of proposal responses for federal, state, and commercial opportunities, with a particular focus on U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and other civilian agency solicitations. This role manages the end-to-end proposal process, ensuring compliance with solicitation requirements (e.g., DOE RFPs, FOAs, and RFQs), integration of technical and cost inputs, adherence to schedule milestones, and delivery of high-quality, compliant proposal submissions.
Working closely with Business Development, Capture, Pricing, Operations, Contracts, Compliance, and Proposal Support teams, the Proposal Manager facilitates proposal execution from initiation through submission, debrief, and lessons learned. The role requires demonstrated experience navigating DOE-specific proposal requirements, evaluation criteria, compliance matrices, and coordination with national laboratories, prime contractors, and subcontractor partners, as applicable.
The Senior Proposal Manager assumes responsibility for more complex and high-value pursuits, including DOE-funded programs and multi-disciplinary efforts, provides guidance to Proposal Coordinators and peers, and supports continuous improvement of proposal processes, compliance rigor, and overall proposal quality.
The salary range for this position is dependent upon the level:
Proposal Manager - $107,265-$133,545/year
Proposal Manager Sr. - $124,117 - $155,766
This position comes with a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, a 401(k) plan with a 3% match, paid time off (PTO), and company-paid holidays.
This position will be posted for 5 days or until filled.
This position is available as a Telecommute opportunity.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities (including but not limited to):
All Levels
- Manages the planning, coordination, development, and submission of proposal responses, including Sources Sought, Requests for Information (RFIs), briefings, and related business development documents.
- Supports and facilitates the GO/NO‑GO decision process by coordinating required inputs, gathering proposal intelligence, assessing schedule, resource, and compliance considerations, and presenting information to Business Development, Capture, Operations, and Proposals leadership to support informed decision‑making.
- Partners with Business Development and Capture teams to support pre‑proposal activities, including intelligence gathering, competitor analysis, and selection panel research, to inform proposal planning and execution.
- Participates in teaming discussions and gap analyses in coordination with Capture and Operations leadership, supporting the evaluation and selection of teaming partners and key subcontractors.
- Facilitates proposal strategy and theme development in partnership with Business Development, Capture, and Operations to support clearly articulated solutions, discriminators, and proposal messaging.
- Ensures approved proposal strategies, themes, and messages are consistently integrated throughout proposal volumes, graphics, and presentations.
- Interfaces with Government Contracting Officials and client representative regarding solicitation questions, amendments, site visits, pre-proposal conferences, submission requirements, debriefs, and related communications, in coordination with Contracts and Business Development leadership.
- Develops and maintains detailed proposal outlines and compliance matrices, ensuring full compliance with solicitation instructions, evaluation criteria, and contractual requirements throughout the proposal lifecycle.
- Coordinates cross‑functional proposal efforts by working closely with Business Development, Capture, Proposal Support, Operations, Contracts, Compliance, and Pricing teams to prepare complete, compliant, and compelling proposals.
- Develops proposal schedules, milestones, and roles and responsibilities; monitor progress against deadlines; and ensures adherence to solicitation requirements, style guidelines, templates, and internal processes.
- Leads proposal kickoff meetings, reviews, and status calls; assigns proposal tasks and deliverables to writers, subject‑matter experts, Proposal Coordinators, and graphics resources; and monitors progress to ensure on‑time delivery.
- Oversees the coordination and development of proposal artifacts, including resumes, project experience descriptions, forms, financial documentation, and graphics.
- Coordinates data calls with subcontractors and teaming partners and supports responses to prime contractor data requests, as applicable.
- Writes and edits proposal sections as needed, ensuring clarity, consistency, and compliance with solicitation requirements.
- Coordinates closely with Pricing and cost development teams to ensure alignment between technical approaches, staffing plans, narratives, and cost proposals.
- Supports the editing and formatting of cost volume narratives and spreadsheets to ensure consistency, compliance, and integration with technical proposal volumes.
- Coordinates proposal reviews with Proposal Quality & Compliance reviewers and ensures required compliance checks are completed and review feedback is appropriately incorporated.
- Oversees final proposal formatting, assembly, and timely submission in accordance with solicitation instructions and client requirements.
- Coordinates proposal debriefs and lessons‑learned sessions in partnership with Business Development and Operations to support continuous improvement.
- Supports coordination with Operations teams to facilitate informed phase‑in activities for successful awards.
- Maintains awareness of company capabilities, products, services, industry trends, and competitive landscape as relevant to proposal efforts.
- Performs other duties as assigned by management.
Level – Senior
- Leads execution of complex, high‑value, or high‑risk proposal efforts, serving as a subject-matter resource and advisor to pursuit teams and proposal execution, compliance, and best practices.
- Provides mentoring, guidance, and functional leadership to Proposal Coordinators and, when directed, to less experienced Proposal Managers.
- Supports continuous improvement of proposal processes, tools, templates, compliance practices, and quality standards in partnership with Proposals leadership.
Supervision
No direct supervisory responsibilities.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Minimum Qualifications
All levels
- Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, or a Business-related discipline applicable to contracts/project management.
- Experience may substitute for education on a 1:1 basis.
- Six (6) years of successful proposals/capture/writing experience with three (3) or more years as a Proposal Coordinator. Experience should include proposal development.
- Three (3) years of professional document writing and managing government proposals experience.
- Relevant Shipley certifications combined with writing experience may substitute for experience.
- Three (3) years of experience with business development or client delivery with US federal defense and civilian agencies.
- Intermediate knowledge of federal government procurement process and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FARs).
- Advanced knowledge of federal RFP structures and Standard Form formats.
- Ability to plan and coordinate proposal resources, including people and schedules, and communicate status regularly to managers and leadership.
- Ability to edit content from multiple individuals and incorporate data and graphics to produce a professionally prepared and compliant proposal.
- U.S. Citizenship due to federal contract requirements.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.
- Ability to travel out of state to attend site visits, industry days, meetings, etc.
Level – Senior
- Ten (10) years of successful proposals/capture/writing experience with eight (8) or more years as a Proposal Manager responsible for the full proposal life cycle, preferably in a federal contracting environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience leading and coordinating prime, subcontractor, and consultant businesses in proposal development.
- Experience working closely with business area operations leads, business development/capture leads, and pricing leads to ensure alignment of technical, management, and cost/price strategy.
- Knowledge of various government contract types such as: Time and Materials (TM), Firm Fixed Price (FFP), Cost Plus Firm Fixed (CPFF), Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ).
- Experience doing business with the US federal government for the provision of logistics, security, facility operations and maintenance, professional services, construction, engineering, and/or environmental industry services.
- Valid Driver’s license with a clean driving record, able to drive company vehicles.
- Experience and knowledge of Alaska Native cultures.
Shareholder Preference
Pursuant to PL 93-638, as amended, preference will be given to qualified Ahtna Native Corporation Shareholders, Descendants, and Spouses in all phases of employment.
Core Competencies
- Technical Writing – Ability to prepare compliant and compelling technical communications, documentation, regulatory forms and correspondence.
- Exceptional people skills to work in a dynamic, service-driven, and deadline-based organization with superior listening, verbal, and written communication skills.
- Strong computer skills, with advanced knowledge and experience in Microsoft 365, Adobe, and database applications. Desktop publishing capability is essential.
- Familiarity with graphic design, Adobe Software (Creative Cloud), and SharePoint are preferred.
- Able to coordinate several activities at once, quickly analyze and resolve specific problems, and cope with deadlines effectively.
- Well-organized with strong attention to details.
- Self-motivated, ambitious, professional.
- People-savvy with strong presentation and writing skills.
- Ability to learn and participate in proposal pricing strategies, to include staffing, materials, indirect costs, and schedules.
- Ability to juggle multiple deadlines efficiently.
- Able to remain calm under pressure and work extended, long hours to meet deadlines.
Physical Demands
Frequent sitting, using hands/fingers, handling, reaching with hands and arms, talking, hearing, and seeing (up close, at a distance, along the periphery, with depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus), occasional walking or standing, occasional lifting of up to 10 pounds.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described in this job description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Work is performed in an office environment, may be subject to temperature and noise level changes.
Work Schedule: Monday – Friday 8:00 to 5:00, may vary based upon business needs
