Proposal Manager

Fisher Associates, P.E., L.S., L.A., D. • Buffalo, NY

83d • Hybrid

About The Position

Fisher is seeking an experienced Proposal Manager for its Buffalo, NY market. This role is crucial for positioning the firm's transportation, landscape architecture, energy, civil/site, environmental, planning, design, and other professional services for complex pursuits. The Proposal Manager will collaborate closely with Practice Directors, Client Managers, technical teams, marketing professionals, and leadership to guide opportunities from early capture through proposal submission and interview preparation. This position offers the opportunity to combine strategy, storytelling, visual communication, and execution, allowing for a visible influence on how the firm competes for work.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, Journalism, or related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience with proposal management, pursuit management, or strategic marketing experience within the AEC industry.
• Proven experience leading complex, high-value pursuits and influencing senior technical teams.
• Strong understanding of capture strategy, win themes, and client-focused proposal development.
• Exceptional writing, editing, communication, and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent deadlines in fast-paced environments.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Experience developing highly polished, visually compelling proposal and interview materials.
• Strong understanding of layout, typography, visual hierarchy, and branded communication.
• Ability to guide visual storytelling and collaborate on graphics, infographics, and presentation design.
• Ability to influence teams and drive accountability without direct authority.
• Strong strategic thinking, executive presence, and communication skills.
• Ability to balance strategy, creativity, storytelling, and hands-on execution.
• High standards for content, compliance, visual communication, and the overall evaluator experience.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with CRM systems, proposal tools, and AI-assisted proposal platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full proposal lifecycle from opportunity evaluation through submission and interview preparation.
• Facilitate pursuit strategy discussions, kickoff meetings, go/no-go conversations, and proposal planning.
• Develop win themes, proposal narratives, executive summaries, value propositions, differentiators, proof points, and client-focused messaging.
• Manage proposal schedules, assignments, quality control, compliance, and final submissions.
• Write, edit, and refine proposal content, resumes, project descriptions, and supporting materials.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and drive accountability throughout complex pursuits.
• Support interview preparation, presentation development, coaching, pursuit process improvement, and implementation of AI-enabled proposal technologies and analytics.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) plan.
• Company-paid life and disability insurance.
• Hybrid work schedule, generous PTO, paid holidays, and strong work-life balance.
• Shareholders program, professional development opportunities and reimbursement, supplemental benefits, and employee groups focused on community, inclusion, and employee voice.

What This Job Offers

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