Proposal Lead

MSA Professional Services, Inc. • Madison, WI

2h • Hybrid

About The Position

MSA is seeking a collaborative Proposal Lead to oversee our proposal development program and lead a high-performing Proposal Team. This role is responsible for managing the full lifecycle of strategic pursuits while ensuring proposals are competitive, compliant, client-focused, and aligned with MSA’s brand and business goals. The Proposal Lead partners closely with technical staff, client liaisons, company leadership, and the broader marketing team to drive a consistent and efficient proposal process that supports growth across the organization.
This role can be based out of the following MSA offices: Appleton, Beaver Dam, Baraboo, Kiel, Madison, Mequon or Milwaukee. We offer a hybrid or onsite work enviroment.
At MSA, we believe people are our greatest strength. Our employee-owned culture encourages collaboration, innovation, and professional growth while empowering team members to make a meaningful impact on the communities we serve. As a Proposal Lead, you will have the opportunity to shape strategic pursuits, mentor a talented team, and contribute directly to MSA’s continued success.
MSA Professional Services is 100% employee-owned, meaning every employee has a direct stake in the success of the company. This ownership mindset drives our collaborative culture, long-term thinking, and commitment to delivering high-quality work for the communities we serve.
Come join the ownership team at MSA!

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or a related field, or equivalent experience
• Minimum of five years of experience in marketing, proposal coordination, business development support, or related fields
• Experience within the architecture/engineering (A/E) industry
• Strong organizational, writing, editing, and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage competing deadlines and priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Strong leadership, collaboration, and relationship-building skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically InDesign and Acrobat

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience leading or supervising a team
• Familiarity with CRM systems and marketing databases
• Knowledge of AP Style

Responsibilities

• Lead MSA’s proposal development program and oversee the full lifecycle of strategic pursuits
• Manage multiple concurrent proposals and internal projects while ensuring alignment with pursuit strategy, branding, and company goals
• Oversee proposal pipeline management, workload balancing, and prioritization across the Proposal Team
• Schedule and facilitate go/no-go meetings for RFPs and RFQs
• Guide proposal strategy, messaging, differentiators, and win themes
• Ensure the development and maintenance of proposal resources, including resumes, project descriptions, templates, and boilerplate content
• Support preparation of client presentations and presentation rehearsals
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date proposal materials and information within DAM, ERP, and CRM systems
• Oversee electronic file management processes, naming conventions, and proposal closeout procedures
• Lead, coach, mentor, and support Proposal Team members
• Foster a collaborative and positive team environment that promotes accountability and growth
• Assess team capacity, resource needs, and skill development opportunities to support business growth
• Encourage ongoing training and professional development
• Model MSA’s values and serve as a role model across the organization
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal teams and external clients
• Collaborate with technical staff to gather meaningful proposal content and positioning
• Partner with the Marketing Team to ensure consistency across proposals, collateral, and brand messaging
• Work closely with marketing leadership and client liaisons to prioritize pursuits and allocate resources effectively
• Ensure production of high-quality, competitive proposals that support revenue growth and client acquisition
• Track proposal metrics and team performance and provide insights and recommendations to leadership
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce proposal cycle times, and strengthen competitiveness

Benefits

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) – As a 100% employee-owned company, eligible employees receive company shares at no cost
• Flex Time: Work 42 hours this week? Have 2 hours added to your Flex Time balance to use as time off in the future
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Generous employer match that is immediately 100% vested
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance for employees and eligible dependents
• Paid Time Off – Minimum of 17 days in the first year
• Paid Holidays – 8 holidays annually
• Paid Parental Leave – regardless of birth parent
• Employer-Paid Insurance – Life, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage
• Short-Term Incentive Program (STIP) – Annual performance-based bonus opportunity

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level