Proposal Specialist

Workplace Options•Raleigh, NC

11d•Remote

About The Position

As a Proposal Specialist, you will manage the proposal process from RFP receipt to submission. This includes assessing compliance requirements, identifying risks, scheduling and facilitating meetings, creating templates, identifying boilerplate content, and collecting core qualification materials (e.g., resumes, biographies, project qualifications, references, certifications, company information). You will also be responsible for assigning responsibilities, monitoring working drafts, editing and formatting drafts, and submitting final materials via email, web portal, or hard copy shipment. Collaboration with various departments to gather necessary information, ensure proposals are accurate and compelling, and meet submission deadlines is essential.

Requirements

Strong written and spoken English communication skills.
Bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, Marketing, Business, or 5+ years of experience a related field.
Minimum of 5+ years of experience in proposal writing or a related role.
Experience managing the complexity of multiple proposals, focusing on project management and quality assurance.
Successful collaboration with cross-functional subject matter experts and corporate personnel.
Advanced skills using Microsoft Office, Adobe, and InDesign.
Excellent understanding of document design elements and marketing techniques.
Create win themes and embed stories throughout proposal responses.
Excellent writing and editing skills, with the ability to produce clear, concise, and compelling content.
Consistent personal ethics: integrity, dependability, initiative, and quality.
Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and manage competing priorities.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Responsibilities

Proposal Development: Develop and write high-quality proposals in response to RFX and other solicitation documents. Gather necessary information from internal stakeholders and ensure proposals align with client needs and company capabilities. Create proposal outlines and compliance matrices to meet all requirements. Identify gaps or areas for improvement and address them with SMEs and the SAM Lead. Manage, coordinate, and track daily proposal activities. Communicate and follow up on all data calls, review data received, and request validation/correction as needed. Follow color review procedures and ensure content complies with RFX and WPO standards. Enhance bids with clear, accessible written content. Write bespoke answers to customer questions. Include customer-focused sales messages (win themes). Develop and edit simple graphics or tabular presentations. Identify risks and opportunities. Participate in and/or lead meetings to develop win themes and proposal development strategies.
Content Development and Refinement: Perform project close-out by providing new content to the Content Manager for review and insertion into the Content Library.
Role Tasks: Provide quality assurance and best practice reviews for all proposal documents. Train new proposal contributors on WPO’s proposal process and best practices. Share lessons learned with proposal team and external teams on a quarterly basis. Prepare and present reports to senior management. Perform peer reviews and provide constructive feedback to improve junior proposal developers' output. Perform FOIA requests and complete SWOT analysis based on responses. Serve as a reviewer for formal reviews (pink, red, white) or as a compliance reviewer on major pursuits. Lead debrief meetings and gather client feedback to support continuous improvement. Lead the preparation of presentation and interview materials. Contribute to internal training on core processes, tools, practices, or special topics. Lead the writing of proposals, including executive summaries, past performance, management approaches, and resumes/staffing for major pursuits. Mentor junior and intermediate proposal specialists/developers. Manage multiple proposals, focusing on project management and quality assurance.
Collaboration: Participate in and/or lead meetings to develop win themes and proposal development strategies. Collaborate with SAM leads, SMEs, corporate resources (Legal, Finance, HR, Marketing), and other collaborators to develop and refine proposals. Coordinate with SMEs, sales, marketing, and other departments to obtain necessary input for proposals. Facilitate proposal review meetings and incorporate feedback from reviewers. Review and critique SME responses. Support the delivery of services/products in line with Proposal Strategy themes, working with cross-functional teams.
Writing and Editing: Write and edit proposal sections to ensure clarity, conciseness, and persuasiveness. Ensure all written materials are free from errors and inconsistencies. Ensure the writing structure and words persuasively convey the offer to the customer. Perform statistical analysis and storytelling around data.
Research: Conduct research to understand client needs, industry trends, and competitor offerings. Integrate findings into proposals to enhance relevance and competitiveness. Track and analyze proposal metrics, such as win rates, to measure the effectiveness of different content approaches and adjust strategies accordingly.