Senior Proposal Manager

Barnes & Thornburg LLP•Dallas, TX

About The Position

At Barnes & Thornburg, change is relentless and so are we. In an evolving business landscape, we stand ready at a moment’s notice, adapting with agility and precision to achieve the highest goals for our clients. Similarly, our Client Growth and Marketing team serves its clients — 850+ legal professionals across 50 practices in 26 markets — with the same energy and commitment. The Senior Proposal Manager is responsible for overseeing a broad range of activities within the function. The role supports the firm’s client and business development efforts by managing and executing strategic, high-quality responses to both formal and informal opportunities, including RFPs, RFIs, panel qualification submissions and general opportunities. This role manages the end-to-end proposal process, partners closely with attorneys, client growth colleagues, and other proposal team members, and ensures submissions are strategic, compliant, timely, and aligned with the firm’s priorities and client experience standards. The Senior Proposal Manager takes a leading role in ensuring best practices in content development and management, RFP management, and proposal tracking are in place and followed across the team.

Requirements

A Baccalaureate degree with course work in relevant subjects.
At least 10 years of experience in legal marketing and business development with a minimum of seven years in a proposal-focused role. Knowledge of (preferred provider) proposal process required in a professional services environment.
At least five years of experience in responding to public finance related RFPs, particularly within the state government context.
Excellent interpersonal skills and exceptional written and oral communications skills with the ability to present ideas clearly and concisely.
Excellent time management and organizational skills.
Capable of handling multiple projects simultaneously and the ability to adapt to competing demands.
Ability to adapt best practices to the unique aspects and staffing associated with specific RFP.
Proficient in standard firm computer software including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
Familiarity with professional writing styles and strong editing skills.
Ability to work in an environment with shifting priorities and overlapping deadlines.
Ability for a flexible schedule to manage time-sensitive requests and the ability to travel to other offices as needed.

Nice To Haves

Experience using a variety of proprietary marketing databases is a plus.

Responsibilities

Manages the process for requests for information (RFI’s) and requests for proposal (RFP’s), serves as a key contact on the proposal team and manages timely submissions.
Coordinates responses for RFIs, RFPs, and all major pitches and proposals, partnering with attorneys, practice group leaders, client growth team members, pricing, and legal operations.
Drafts, assembles, and manages response materials for RFI’s, RFP’s and all major pitches and proposals.
Manages proposal timelines, workflows, and internal stakeholders. Ensures interim communication of progress and milestones. Escalates to leadership on any challenges or stumbling blocks.
Guides attorneys and coaches other proposal team members on best practices for both RFP processes and systems as well as for response strategy.
Tracks and reports on the outcome of proposal and RFP activity. Identifies trends and competitors, to the degree possible, and shares appropriately with CGM leadership and attorneys.
Identifies content development and enhancement needs. Partners with client development and communications colleagues in addition to proposal team members to ensure content is drafted, vetted, catalogued appropriately and periodically updated as needed.
Facilitates and runs kickoff meetings, interim discussions, and debriefs to drive efficiencies, optimal proposal quality, strong and relevant content generation, and win/loss tracking.
Regularly reviews current systems and makes recommendations for enhancements and identifies opportunities for efficiencies, collaboration, and streamlined execution.
In partnership with the client growth team members, collaborates with the Library Services and Information Technology Departments to provide information that will present a robust work product.
Attends practice area meetings and conference calls as appropriate to provide business development input and support.
Build strong business relationships with lawyers and key staff throughout the firm, as well as with colleagues on the marketing and business development team.
Other duties as assigned.