Proposal Manager

Support the Consulting Division of our Rapidly Growing Government Capture and Proposal Consulting and Training Firm!

1. Position Overview

We are looking for a bright, determined, and self-motivated proposal manager who has exposure and cross training in capture management. OST consultants make the winning difference for our clients, and we often must fill multiple roles on the proposal team in order to get to a winning product. OST has no room for proposal managers with boundaries. We must do whatever it takes to develop an outstanding proposal, sometimes developing graphics, or finalizing sections, or formatting the document, or researching and writing material for a non-compliant section. OST competes at the highest level of government contracting, and you will work alongside some of the best proposal and capture professionals in the industry.

This is a full-time position in our spacious Rockville office, with opportunities to visit clients and participate in events in the Washington, DC area.

2. Your Job

Your main responsibility will be to lead our client’s proposal or capture efforts as a consultant. You will lead the proposal team to produce a compliant, compelling, and technically accurate proposal delivered by the Government’s deadline. You must be able to take ownership of the content and be responsible for pulling the proposal together. Additionally, you will also help clients develop win themes, strategize on teaming decisions, and facilitate solution development brainstorming activities during the capture phase.

You will need higher-level brain functions to “connect the dots” in order to develop a great proposal. The Proposal Manager’s tasks are to:

• Lead the proposal effort—serving as the single point of accountability responsible for organizing all informational and personnel resources to produce a compliant, compelling, and technically accurate proposal delivered on schedule.
• Distribute RFP, modifications, and other RFP-related material to the proposal team (including subcontractors).
• Research the RFP and develop the annotated outline, compliance matrix, and proposal schedule to ensure management and technical responses are compliant and compelling.
• Prepare for and conduct a proposal kickoff.
• Set proposal direction, and oversee proposal research, solution brainstorming, hot buttons (win themes), bid strategies, and proposal resource commitments and incorporate them into the proposal.
• Coordinate the activities of Subject Matter Experts and/or Technical Writers from our clients or their teaming partners.
• Maintain the proposal collaborative workspace (such as SharePoint) in a highly structured format to ensure productive workflow, straightforward access to various sections, and version control of proposal-related information.
• Organize proposal support and writing personnel into an effective team.
• Orient the proposal team on themes, discriminators, hot buttons, and messaging to be used in each proposal section.
• Conduct just-in-time training for the proposal team.
• Schedule and manage Volume Leads, Proposal Writers, and Subject Matter Experts for timely delivery and completion of all required inputs to meet internal schedules and the proposal due date.
• Schedule and manage all proposal reviews (Pink Team, Red Team, Gold Team, and other reviews), organize all review input and output, and distribute in an appropriate and timely manner.
• Respond to recommendations and direction from all reviews.
• Perform ongoing in-process reviews of the proposal content.
• Ensure that technical and management volumes are consistent with the cost volume.
• Coordinate the review and production schedules with the proposal production personnel for timely completion of all required proposal editing, desktop publishing (formatting), graphic designs, and production support to meet the internal review schedules and the formal RFP response due date.
• Ensure completion and delivery of the proposal on schedule.
• Participate in post-proposal activities such as the Lessons Learned, discussions, orals, Final Proposal Revision (FPR), and Government debrief.

3. Required Experience and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree with coursework in business, marketing, journalism, writing, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience of government proposal management with a track record of consistently winning funded work.
• Exceptional command of written and spoken English.
• Professional knowledge of Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Ability to simplify and effectively communicate complex, technical concepts/ideas into easy-to-understand proposal content.

Bonus Points

• Veteran of the U.S. armed forces.
• Cross-trained in capture management and proof of leading successful capture efforts.
• Proof of developing excellent proposals through a high win rate.
• Experience leading/developing cost volumes.
• Professional training and certifications.

4. Desired Soft Skills and Professional Characteristics

• You take the high road in difficult situations and understand how to read personalities and win respect of highly intelligent, technically proficient, and accomplished professionals.
• You make realistic promises, you care deeply, and make sure the delivery team keeps your promises to the customer.
• You make our team look good in front of the customers.
• You love a fast-paced dynamic environment with a variety of different tasks.
• You are a skillful negotiator with a strong ability to connect with people.
• You have a high level of intelligence to include emotional intelligence, good character, and you are easily coachable.
• You have been admired for your organizational and time management skills.
• You maintain professional relationships with people to ensure repeat business.