Proposal Manager

Title: Proposal Manager Location: remote

Position Summary

The Proposal Manager is responsible for leading the full lifecycle development of compliant, compelling, and winning proposals in response to Federal Civilian and Department of Defense (DoD) solicitations, including Requests for Proposal (RFPs), Requests for Information (RFIs), and Sources Sought notices. This role ensures strict adherence to FAR/DFARS requirements, customer instructions, and corporate quality standards while driving cross-functional collaboration to deliver high-quality, on-time submissions.

The Proposal Manager serves as the central integrator across capture, technical, contracts, pricing, and executive leadership, ensuring alignment of win strategies, discriminators, and messaging across all proposal volumes.

Key Responsibilities

Proposal Leadership & Execution

• Lead end-to-end proposal development lifecycle from pre-RFP planning through submission and post-submission activities.
• Develop and manage detailed proposal schedules, outlines, compliance matrices, and production plans.
• Conduct and facilitate proposal kickoffs, daily stand-ups, and color team reviews (Pink, Red, Gold).
• Ensure all proposal volumes are compliant, responsive, and aligned with evaluation criteria.

Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Interpret and apply requirements from FAR, DFARS, agency supplements, and solicitation instructions (Sections L & M).
• Develop and maintain compliance matrices and ensure traceability throughout proposal content.
• Enforce adherence to corporate Quality Management System (QMS) aligned with:
  • Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI Level 3 practices)
  • ISO 9001:2015
  • Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (as applicable)

Strategy Integration & Content Development

• Collaborate with Capture Managers to translate win themes, strengths, and discriminators into proposal content.
• Lead storyboard development and enforce message consistency across volumes.
• Support technical solutioning sessions and ensure alignment with customer mission needs.

Team Coordination & Stakeholder Engagement

• Coordinate inputs from SMEs, technical leads, pricing, contracts, HR, and subcontractors.
• Manage subcontractor proposal contributions and enforce deadlines and compliance.
• Provide executive-level briefings on proposal status, risks, and mitigation strategies.

Proposal Reviews & Production

• Plan and execute structured color team reviews (Pink, Red, Gold) and incorporate feedback.
• Ensure final production meets all formatting, submission, and delivery requirements (electronic and hard copy).
• Oversee volume integration, graphics development, and desktop publishing.

Process Improvement & Knowledge Management

• Maintain and improve proposal processes, templates, and tools aligned with CMMI Level 3 maturity.
• Capture lessons learned and integrate into organizational process assets.
• Contribute to corporate proposal libraries, past performance repositories, and reusable content.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Communications, Technical Field, or related discipline.
• 7+ years of experience managing Federal proposals, including both Civilian and DoD agencies.
• Demonstrated success managing proposals valued at $10M-$200M+.
• Strong working knowledge of:
  • FAR/DFARS and federal procurement processes
  • IDIQ, GWAC, BPA, and task order proposal structures
• Proven experience leading cross-functional teams under tight deadlines.
• Excellent written, verbal, and organizational communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting agencies such as:
  • DoD (e.g., SOCOM, DIA, Army, Air Force)
  • Federal Civilian (e.g., DHS, IRS, HHS, DOJ)
• APMP (Association of Proposal Management Professionals) certification (Practitioner or Professional level).
• Experience in GovCloud, cybersecurity, IT services, or mission support proposals.
• Familiarity with tools such as SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, PowerPoint, and proposal automation platforms.

S2Technologies is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, national origin, color, religion, sex, physical or mental disability, protected veterans' status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Applicants living in a HubZone designated area receive preferential selection when meeting all other required qualifications.