Context
SYSTRA: Senior Proposal Manager (NY/NJ) – Hybrid
In this role, you will lead the strategy and execution of major, high-value pursuits and proposals for key public agencies across the US rail and transit market. As a senior leader within the proposal team, you will not only drive complex, high-stakes proposals from capture planning through interview preparation, but you will also serve as a mentor and guide to junior and mid-level staff leading their own pursuits.
The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker, highly organized leader, and compelling storyteller with experience navigating public agency procurement. Experience in the rail/transit and A/E/C sectors is a plus.
Missions/Main Duties
Proposal and Pursuit Management
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Pursuit & Leadership
- Major Pursuit Execution: Independently manage the end-to-end pursuit process, from early capture planning and strategy sessions to proposal development and final interview preparation, for major and complex public-sector rail/transit projects.
- Team Mentorship & Guidance: Act as a functional leader and mentor to proposal managers and coordinator, helping elevate pursuit strategies, writing quality, and proposal management practices across the team.
- Win Strategy & Messaging: Facilitate strategy workshops with pursuit teams and technical leads to craft persuasive value propositions, win themes, and key differentiators that showcase SYSTRA’s competitive advantages.
Content Development & Design Management
- Compelling Storytelling & Technical Writing: Translate complex technical/engineering input into crisp, persuasive narratives. Elevate overall writing quality through clear callouts, graphics, and compelling messaging tailored to agency evaluators.
- Visual & Layout Quality: Oversee the conceptualization, layout, and visual design of marketing materials, proposals, and presentations, ensuring alignment with brand standards and maximum readability.
- Presentation & Interview Coaching: Lead interview preparation sessions to deliver impactful, cohesive client presentations.
Process Management & System Oversight
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Serve as a liaison with internal technical staff, corporate leadership, subconsultants, teaming partners, and agency procurement representatives.
- Continuous Improvement: Facilitate structured proposal debriefs to gather lessons learned, refine processes, and track competitiveness.
- System & Data Management: Oversee and implement proposal closeout protocols, ensuring proposal materials, graphics, resumes, and project data are accurately archived in SYSTRA systems.
Profile/Skills
Qualifications
- Experience: 8+ years of experience leading proposals for professional services sectors, with a strong background working with public agency procurements.
- Leadership & Mentorship: Experience leading pursuit teams and mentoring junior/mid-level proposal staff.
- Technical Communication: Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills, with an ability to synthesize technical concepts into compelling prose.
- Software Proficiency: High proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (specifically InDesign) and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook).
- Execution: Strong project management skills with a demonstrated ability to perform under tight deadlines and exercise sound independent judgment.
SYSTRA USA provides a benefits package including medical, dental, 401k and other offerings that focus on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.
Relocation assistance is not available for this position.
Sponsorship assistance is not available for this position.
Salary Range: $135,000 - $150,000, SYSTRA USA is providing the compensation range that the company believes it might pay and/or offer for this position, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location.
Workplace TypeHybrid
