Kratos Defense and Security Solutions

Senior Proposal Manager

Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 7+ years of proposal management experience in the defense industry
  • Successful compliance and win rates on competitive proposals
  • Led 3-5 proposals valued at $100M+ from start to finish
  • Experience with government proposals for multiple defense customers
  • Trained in Shipley Associates proposal development methodology
  • Comprehensive knowledge of FAR/DFARS and government selection processes
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance

Responsibilities

  • Lead end-to-end proposal development for strategic contracts
  • Manage complex, multi-volume proposals within tight timelines
  • Develop and execute proposal schedules and compliance plans
  • Orchestrate kickoff meetings and color team reviews with executives
  • Ensure 100% compliance with solicitation requirements
  • Mentor junior proposal staff and manage a growing team
  • Drive continuous improvement in proposal processes and quality

Benefits

  • Access to executive leadership during the proposal process
  • Opportunities for strategic influence without bureaucracy
  • Collaborative, high-performing team environment
  • Focus on disruptive technology missions relevant to national security
  • Autonomy to shape proposal strategies and team development
Full Job Description
Position Summary

Kratos is seeking a Senior Proposal Manager who thrives in a lean, high-performing environment. You'll lead the proposal team through small, medium, and large white papers and proposals that have varying levels of strategic value and complexity. This will include 10+ high-stakes proposals annually ($100M-$1B+) with direct access to executive leadership and the autonomy to shape both individual wins and our evolving proposal capability. This role is ideal for a Shipley expert who wants strategic influence without bureaucracy, wants to build and mentor a growing team, and is energized by disruptive technology missions that matter to national security. The Senior Proposal Manager will report to the Vice President, Strategic Growth Programs and serve as a key member of the Strategic Growth leadership team. This role partners closely with executive leadership, Capture Managers, Business Development, Operations, Contracts, Pricing, Engineering Department, graphic artists, technical writers and pricing analysts to drive successful pursuit execution across the enterprise.

Key Responsibilities
  • Proposal Leadership & Execution
    • Lead end-to-end proposal development for new and strategic follow-on contracts including RFPs, BAAs, OTAs, and competitive IDIQ task orders
    • Serve as Proposal Manager for complex, multi-volume proposals with aggressive timelines
    • Apply Shipley Associates methodology throughout the proposal lifecycle
    • Develop and execute proposal schedules, compliance matrices, management plans, and quality control processes
    • Orchestrate kickoff meetings, daily standups, and color team reviews (Pink, Red, Gold) with executive reviewers
    • Manage final production, ensuring compliance and on-time delivery
    • Manage and continuously improve the proposal process and policies
  • Strategic Partnership & Leadership
    • Partner with Capture Managers to develop discriminating win strategies and compelling win themes
    • Interface directly with executives (VP/SVP level) providing strategic guidance, risk assessments, and go/no-go recommendations
    • Lead cross-functional proposal teams: capture, technical SMEs, pricing analysts, contracts, subcontractors, and teaming partners
    • Translate complex technical solutions into customer-focused, benefit-driven proposal narratives
    • Develop executive summaries that win-crisp, compelling, differentiated
  • Compliance & Quality Assurance
    • Ensure 100% compliance with government solicitation requirements (FAR/DFARS, agency-specific)
    • Conduct rigorous compliance reviews and implement quality gates throughout proposal development
    • Manage proposal risk areas and develop mitigation strategies
    • Maintain proposal schedules under short timelines
  • Team Building & Process Evolution\
    • Mentor and develop junior proposal staff as the team grows
    • Manage a lean, agile team: technical writers and business development associates (with plans to grow)
    • Build scalable proposal processes that maintain agility while supporting growth
    • Develop and maintain proposal content libraries, templates, and best practice documentation
    • Provide Shipley training and coaching to cross-functional team members
    • Drive continuous improvement: identify inefficiencies and lessons learned, then implement solutions


Experience & Track Record
  • 7+ years of proposal management experience in the defense industry with a proven track record of wins
  • Successful compliance and win rates on competitive DoW proposals
  • Led at least 3-5 proposals valued at $100M+ from gate to submission as Proposal Manager
  • Experience managing proposals for multiple DoW customers (Air Force, Space Force, Navy, Army, MDA, DARPA, or similar)
  • Comfortable in lean/agile environments
  • Trained in Shipley Associates proposal development methodology
  • Deep understanding of capture-to-proposal transition, color team reviews, and proposal quality standards
  • Comprehensive understanding of FAR/DFARS, mid-tier acquisition, and government source selection processes
  • Experience with diverse contract vehicles: Cost-Plus, Fixed Price, IDIQ, OTAs
  • Knowledge of proposal evaluation factors and how to win on LPTA vs. best-value trades
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance

Leadership & Professional Skills
  • Excellent leadership skills
  • Outstanding written and verbal communication
  • Exceptional prioritization and time management under pressure
  • Strategic thinker with operational execution discipline

About Kratos Defense and Security Solutions

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. provides mission critical products, solutions, and services in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Kratos Government Solutions, Unmanned Systems, and Public Safety & Security. The Kratos Government Solutions segment offers microwave electronic products, satellite communications, training systems, modular systems, and defense and rocket support services. The Unmanned Systems segment provides unmanned aerial, ground, and seaborne, as well as command, control, and communications systems. The Public Safety & Security segment designs, engineers, deploys, operates, integrates, maintains, and operates security and surveillance solutions for homeland security, public safety, critical infrastructure, government, and commercial customers. The company serves national security related agencies, the department of defense, intelligence agencies, and classified agencies, as well as international government agencies and domestic and international commercial customers; and critical infrastructure, power generation, power transport, nuclear energy, financial, IT, healthcare, education, transportation, and petro-chemical industries, as well as government and military customers. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.
Learn more about Kratos Defense and Security Solutions
Size
3,300 employees
Market Cap
$1.1 billion
Industry
Net Income
$79.6 million
Founded
1994
5 Year Trend
+8.4%
Revenue
$747.6 million
NASDAQ

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