We are seeking a Proposal Writer/Manager with experience supporting federal proposals in a dynamic, fast-paced public sector environment. This role develops responsive, customer-focused technical, management and past performance content for federal pursuits, ensuring alignment with customer priorities and business objectives. The Proposal Writer/Manager position takes ownership of proposal content and collaborates closely with the Proposal Operations Manager to support proposal milestones, reviews and deliverables that contribute to winning submissions. This is a unique opportunity to shape the growth, development and culture of an exciting and fast-growing company in the cybersecurity market.
What you'll be doing:
- Analyze RFP documents, map requirements and evaluation criteria into proposal outlines and annotated content plans, with clear instructions for contributors.
- Serve as Volume Lead or Lead Writer for Technical, Management and Past Performance Volumes and write content that is responsive, compliant and compelling.
- Translate capture strategy into an executable proposal approach, structuring volumes for maximum impact and ease of evaluation.
- Weave win themes, discriminators and proof points into content aligned to customer mission priorities and evaluation criteria.
- Partner with Capture, Solution, Recruiting and Program teams to elicit proposal content and with external partners on data calls for subcontracting bids.
- Conduct SME interviews and participate in solution working sessions, turning technical input into clear, persuasive prose.
- Conceptualize anchor graphics with the solution lead and develop content presentation strategies (tables, callout boxes, diagrams) to maximize impact.
- Use AI-enabled tools to accelerate drafting, research, graphics and editing while maintaining quality, accuracy and compliance.
- Incorporate color team feedback and lead content recovery; review and edit content for consistent quality and customer messaging.
- Build and maintain a repository of reusable content, including past performance write-ups, proof points and templates.
- Support the Proposal Manager on proposal schedules, kickoff and stand-up meetings orals and color reviews and keep assigned volumes on track against milestones.
- Execute proposal management activities, as needed.
- Identify and help mitigate proposal risk early, advising leadership on solution gaps, compliance issues and staffing impacts.
- Contribute to post-proposal lessons learned and support process improvement.
What you need to know:
- Possess strong project management skills through effective time management, prioritization and communication; excellent attention to detail.
- Strong analytical skills to oversee and map entire proposal structure from RFP sections and evaluation requirements into response content.
- Working knowledge of formal proposal development processes, including color team reviews (Shipley or similar methodology).
- Strong understanding of federal contracting, business development, capture and proposal processes.
- Ability to conceptualize anchor graphics and direct their production with solution leads or graphics support.
- Proficiency in MS Office 365, AI tools, SharePoint, Adobe.
- Strong leadership to drive collaboration across cross-functional teams.
Must have's:
- Bachelor's degree in journalism, English, business, marketing or a related field.
- 6+ years of writing and managing multi-volume proposals for federal customers.
- Strong command of technical proposal writing, with the ability to diagnose solution gaps quickly and guide SMEs effectively.
- Demonstrated success outlining, planning, writing and editing multi-volume, compliance-driven proposals.
- Proposal management experience such as drafting proposal schedule, outline, compliance matrix, kick-off, color review feedback, etc.
- Experience developing strategic federal bid responses in fast-paced environments while working across multiple proposals simultaneously.
- Experience as a Volume Lead, Book Boss or Lead Proposal Writer on technical, management and past performance volumes.
- Experience integrating AI-enabled tools into proposal writing workflows while maintaining quality and compliance.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently while collaborating with multiple stakeholders.
- Proven ability to analyze complex requirements and translate them into clear, actionable tasks and processes through critical thinking.
- Applicants must currently be a U.S. citizen and eligible to obtain and maintain a security clearance, in compliance with federal contract requirements.
Beneficial to have:
- Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP) Foundation Certification and/or knowledge of Shipley Proposal methodology (Preferred).
- Experience in proposal-related desktop publishing.
- Advanced grasp of cybersecurity solutions is a plus.
Where it's done:
