Proposal Lead, Commercial Operations
About The Position
We are seeking a Proposal Lead to drive the strategy, development, and delivery of complex, high-value RFP responses and proposal submissions within our Commercial Operations team. As a senior individual contributor, you will lead enterprise-level opportunities from intake through submission - shaping proposal strategy, messaging, and execution to support revenue growth, client retention, and strategic partnerships. You will act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, influencing cross-functional stakeholders and ensuring proposals are compelling, compliant, and aligned to customer and business objectives. This role is ideal for a professional with deep expertise in proposal management, bid strategy, and executive-level writing in healthcare or life sciences.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience)
- Typically 6-10+ years of relevant experience in proposal management, bid management, or RFP development
- Experience in Specialty healthcare/pharmaceuticals
- Proven experience leading large, complex, cross-functional proposals with executive visibility
- Advanced expertise in proposal writing, executive communication, and storytelling
- Strong project leadership skills managing multiple high-priority deadlines
- Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and lead without direct authority
Nice To Haves
- Familiarity with CRM and proposal tools (e.g., Salesforce, SharePoint, proposal management platforms)
- Experience with pricing strategy, financial modeling, or solution design
- Knowledge of Adobe suite for proposal formatting
- Strong business and financial acumen
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
Responsibilities
- Lead the end-to-end proposal lifecycle for complex RFPs, RFIs, and bid responses tied to strategic growth initiatives
- Define win strategy, proposal approach, messaging architecture, and delivery timelines
- Manage competing priorities, risks, and stakeholder alignment with strong independent judgment
- Develop and oversee executive-level proposal content, including executive summaries, value propositions, and technical responses
- Translate complex clinical, financial, and operational concepts into clear, customer-focused messaging
- Ensure consistency with brand, value proposition, and competitive positioning
- Partner with Sales, Finance, Operations, Legal, and Business Development to align solution design, pricing, and commercial strategy
- Lead cross-functional proposal teams, driving accountability and execution without direct authority
- Prepare executive-ready deliverables for VP and leadership reviews
- Own proposal quality, ensuring full compliance with RFP requirements, governance standards, and approval processes
- Lead quality assurance reviews to ensure proposals are submission-ready and defensible
- Identify risks, gaps, and process improvements across proposal delivery
- Mentor and coach proposal specialists and coordinators
- Establish and enhance proposal best practices, templates, and tools
- Use win/loss insights and stakeholder feedback to drive continuous improvement
Benefits
- Competitive compensation package
- Annual bonus or long-term incentive opportunities may be offered
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
