Vice President, Simulation & Training Proposal Management

Metova Federal • University, FL

29d

About The Position

Cole Engineering Services (CESI), a By Light company, is seeking an experienced and driven Vice President, Proposal Management to lead full-lifecycle proposal development for DoD Modeling, Simulation & Training (MS&T) and associated defense markets. This senior-level role owns the proposal process from kickoff through submission and post-submittal support, ensuring every deliverable is compliant, compelling, and deadline-driven. The ideal candidate brings deep familiarity with federal acquisition, proven leadership of high-performing proposal teams, and a forward-leaning orientation toward AI-enabled workflows. This is a leadership role focused on winning—through disciplined process, excellent writing, and a relentless commitment to quality.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Marketing, Communications, English, or a closely related field.
• 10+ years of combined leadership experience in federal government proposal development and/or business development support.
• 7+ years of direct proposal management experience within DoD and/or Federal Government acquisition environments.
• Demonstrated success leading complex, competitive proposals across multiple contract types (LPTA, best value, IDIQ/task order, GWAC).
• Proven experience managing proposal teams under compressed schedules and high-volume pursuit pipelines.
• Strong understanding of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), DFARS, and DoD acquisition processes.
• In-depth knowledge of the Shipley business development and proposal methodology (certification preferred).
• Hands-on proficiency with proposal management platforms and AI-enabled tools (e.g., automated compliance checkers, content management systems, proposal AI assistants).
• Familiarity with the DoD Modeling & Simulation market, key customers (PEO STRI, SOCOM, joint warfighter commands), and competitive landscape.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel); experience with SharePoint, Salesforce, or equivalent collaboration tools.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write and edit compelling, evaluator-focused proposal prose.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams under pressure without direct authority.
• Strong organizational skills with meticulous attention to compliance and detail.
• Ability to communicate and present at executive and customer-facing levels.
• U. S. Citizenship status with ability to obtain a SECRET to TOP SECRET security clearance.

Nice To Haves

• APMP certification (Foundation, Practitioner, or Professional level).
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Experience with oral proposal and demonstration management for DoD acquisitions.
• Prior experience as a proposal writer or volume lead on M&S, simulation-based training, or software development programs.
• Familiarity with LVCG (Live, Virtual, Constructive, Gaming) domain terminology and customer sets.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end proposal development for highly complex, competitive DoD procurements, including written volumes, oral presentations, and demonstration components.
• Develop and enforce proposal schedules, outlines, compliance matrices, resource plans, and annotated templates.
• Lead, organize, and motivate diverse proposal teams—writers, technical contributors, graphic artists, pricing analysts, and reviewers—toward on-time, high-quality submissions.
• Conduct and manage structured color reviews (Pink, Red, Gold, White Glove) to drive continuous quality improvement from draft to final.
• Translate win strategy and capture intelligence into compelling proposal narratives that differentiate the company and directly address evaluator criteria.
• Manage post-submittal deliverables including oral presentation preparation, clarification responses, final proposal revisions (FPRs), and debrief preparation.
• Coordinate with contracts, pricing, and legal teams to ensure fully compliant, responsive submissions.
• Define, document, and continuously improve proposal management policies, procedures, workflows, and toolsets across the organization.
• Champion adoption of AI-enabled proposal tools, including automated compliance checking, content curation, graphics generation, and predictive pricing support.
• Evaluate and implement new tools and technologies that improve proposal quality, velocity, and team efficiency.
• Maintain and grow a structured proposal content library (past performance, resumes, boilerplate, graphics) for rapid, accurate reuse.
• Use Salesforce (or equivalent CRM) for tracking opportunity records, proposal milestones, and performance metrics.
• Ensure all proposal activities comply with company policy and ethical standards throughout every pursuit.
• Recruit, develop, and retain a high-performing proposal team capable of executing multiple simultaneous pursuits.
• Coach and mentor proposal staff—including writers, coordinators, and junior managers—in persuasive federal proposal writing and Shipley methodology best practices.
• Guide team members in integrating AI-assisted workflows into their daily proposal work.
• Communicate and influence effectively at senior leadership levels, including executives, BD directors, program managers, and technical leads.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage
• Wellness Program
• 401(k) Matching
• Disability (Short Term & Long Term)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Life Insurance
• Education & Training
• Generous Leave Policy (11 Federal Holidays, PTO, Military Leave, Bereavement and Jury Duty)

What This Job Offers

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