BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CREATIVE MANAGER - HIGHER EDUCATION

Compass Group USA Inc•Charlotte, NC

37d

About The Position

As the leading foodservice and support services company, Compass Group USA is known for our great people, great service and our great results. If you've been hungry and away from home, chances are you've tasted Compass Group's delicious food and experienced our outstanding service. We have over 284,000 US associates who work in award-winning restaurants, corporate cafes, hospitals, schools, arenas, museums, and more in all 50 states. Our reach is constantly expanding to shape the industry and create new opportunities for innovation. Join the Compass family today! great people. great services. great results. Each and every individual plays a key role in the growth and legacy of our company. We know the next big idea can come from anyone. We encourage developing and attracting expertise that differentiates us as a company as we continue to raise the bar. Job Summary: The Business Development Creative Manager, Higher Education Dining, leads a team of Proposal Managers and Proposal Coordinators responsible for developing high-quality, strategic proposals that drive new business and client retention across Compass Group's Higher Education sectors. This role ensures each proposal is aligned with brand standards, sales objectives, and client expectations. As both a team leader and process owner, the Creative Manager provides guidance, removes barriers, and drives continuous improvement across the proposal lifecycle.

Requirements

5+ years of experience in proposal development, marketing, or sales enablement; experience in managing direct reports required
Proven track record of successfully leading high-value proposals and team projects in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
Strong writing, editing, and message development skills
Familiarity with the full proposal lifecycle, including compliance, strategy, and creative execution
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Smartsheet, and Adobe Creative Cloud; working knowledge of visual storytelling a plus
Excellent organizational, communication, and leadership skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities, build cross-functional relationships, and influence outcomes

Responsibilities

Manage and mentor a team of Proposal Managers and Proposal Coordinators, supporting growth and performance through coaching, feedback, and clear goal-setting
Foster a high-performance, solution-focused culture with emphasis on accountability, collaboration, and creativity
Onboard new team members and ensure consistent understanding of proposal processes and brand standards
Oversee and assign incoming proposal requests, ensuring the right team member is matched to each opportunity based on complexity, sector, and workload
Ensure all proposals are delivered on time, error-free, visually aligned, and strategically positioned for Compass Group's growth goals
Lead strategy discussions for high-value RFPs, RFIs, and renewals in collaboration with Sales, Operations, and Creative Directors
Act as a liaison between the sales team, sector leads, subject matter experts (SMEs), and the creative team to maintain clear communication and alignment
Partner with Creative Director, Graphic Designers, and Content Developers to ensure proposals are both compelling and compliant
Participate in and lead kick-off calls and debriefs to continuously improve proposal effectiveness
Review and approve final proposals to ensure they meet internal standards and client expectations
Monitor and enhance proposal processes, tools, and templates to improve efficiency, consistency, and scalability
Champion the use of collaboration and workflow platforms (e.g., Smartsheet, Teams) to streamline operations