Senior Manager, New Business Proposals

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP•Los Angeles, CA

2d•$220,000 - $250,000•Hybrid

About The Position

This role provides a unique opportunity to establish and shape CDE’s dedicated New Business Proposals function. The Senior Manager, New Business Proposals will be expected to not only execute high-quality proposals, but also to lay the groundwork for and grow a high-performing team, with meaningful influence over team structure, hiring, and development as demand increases. The role will also build the infrastructure that supports the function - including core processes, submission workflows, content repositories, tracking mechanisms, templates, best practices, and reporting tools - to enable consistency, scalability, and continuous improvement. In this role, you’ll support the Firm’s responses to Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Requests for Information (RFIs), and client-requested surveys, while collaborating with attorneys and professionals across the Firm to craft tailored, polished submissions across a wide range of practice areas. Working closely with the CDE Practice Directors, you’ll lead proposal development across the lifecycle of the opportunity, bringing together insights, data and content that highlight the Firm’s unique strengths. This is a high-impact opportunity to partner with CDE leaders, attorneys, key members of Knowledge & Innovation team, Office of the General Counsel, and Finance team, helping to connect dots internally, deepen client relationships, and drive strategic growth. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys balancing writing, project management and cross-team collaboration in a fast-paced environment. Success in this role comes from curiosity, strong organization and communication skills, and the ability to anticipate needs while keeping multiple stakeholders aligned and on schedule. The ideal candidate will be energized by the opportunity to help build from the ground up, establish a formalized structure, and create a strong operational foundation for long-term success.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required
At least 10 years of experience in project management, business writing, RFP submissions or a related area.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport across all levels of the organization and deliver responsive, high-quality support.
Flexibility and willingness to work outside core hours, including occasional evenings, weekends and holidays.
Demonstrated ability to operate independently, exercise sound judgment, discretion and advise senior stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information with care and professionalism and exercise excellent judgment.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex information into clear, compelling messaging.
Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-expectation environment.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and comfort learning new systems.

Nice To Haves

Experience standing up or formalizing a function, process, or operational capability—including creating workflows, templates, knowledge resources, or reporting infrastructure—is strongly preferred.
Experience building proposal or pitch infrastructure, such as response libraries, template suites, intake processes, submission trackers, or related knowledge-management resources.
Experience with Client Relationship Management (CRM) and Experience Management systems
Relevant marketing and business development experience in an AmLaw 100 law firm or professional services environment
Experience and comfort submitting proposals in relevant portal systems
Strong familiarity with private equity, financial institutions, investment banks; experience supporting litigation RFPs
Strategic thinker with strong commercial instincts
Comfortable operating at both the “big picture” and executional levels
Trusted advisor with excellent communication skills, with the confidence to make recommendations
Highly organized, proactive, and solutions-oriented
Collaborative, adaptable, and able to navigate ambiguity
Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to build structure where limited infrastructure currently exists.
Process-oriented and resourceful, with a strong focus on creating scalable, repeatable ways of working.

Responsibilities

Function Building & Infrastructure Development: Establish the Firm’s New Business Proposals function by designing and implementing foundational processes, tools, templates, governance, and operating procedures that support efficient, high-quality proposal execution.
Knowledge Capture & Process Improvement: Build and organize reusable proposal content, matter descriptions, credentials language, and response libraries; identify opportunities to streamline workflows, reduce duplication, and improve consistency across submissions.
Stakeholder Enablement: Develop practical guidance and repeatable approaches for working with attorneys and professional staff, helping to define roles, expectations, and best practices in the proposal development process.
Proposal Development & Management: Lead the preparation and production of RFPs, RFIs and surveys, ensuring submissions are clear, accurate and aligned with Firm standards.
Content Drafting & Editing: Draft, edit and refine proposal content using internal resources, databases and materials from across the Firm to craft compelling responses.
Cross-Team Collaboration: Work closely with key CDE colleagues, attorneys, knowledge managers, and Finance to gather insights and tailor proposal materials to client needs.
Project Management: Lead proposal timelines, track deliverables and help keep attorneys, practice group teams and cross-functional teams organized to meet deadlines.
Multi-Platform Document Preparation: Lead the creation of and format proposal drafts using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and client submission portals.
Data Tracking & Reporting: Maintain proposal tracking and reporting using Microsoft Excel, SharePoint and Salesforce (CRM).
Fee & Financial Coordination: Collaborate with Finance to gather billing rates, fee proposals, and address client fee inquiries.
Database & Resource Management: Lead the creation of and maintain proposal tracking systems and databases that support business development initiatives across the Firm.
Use of Relevant Technology: Leverage technology that can increase efficiency and enrich responses. Work with relevant AI tools to improve and enhance deliverables.