Cleary, Gottlieb Steen

US Proposals Manager

Cleary, Gottlieb Steen$160K — $180K *
Legal & Accounting
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years managing strategic pitches in law or professional services
  • Proven experience in end-to-end proposal management
  • Skilled in engaging and influencing senior stakeholders
  • Exceptional attention to detail and document review abilities
  • Strong project management skills with ability to prioritize competing deadlines
  • Collaborative mindset with flexibility for global collaboration
  • Effective communicator with practical pitch recommendations
  • Proactive approach with ownership of tasks and workflows

Responsibilities

  • Lead the creation and strategy for complex pitches and proposals
  • Assess pitch opportunities with commercial insight to guide strategy
  • Collaborate across teams to produce clear and client-centric pitch content
  • Develop tailored pitch strategies using market research and client insights
  • Conduct presentation rehearsals and coach lawyers on effective pitching
  • Work with design teams to create professional and engaging proposals
  • Promote best practices and process improvements within the Business Development team
  • Maintain up-to-date pitch records and proposal materials
  • Gather and analyze client feedback to refine future pitching strategies
  • Prepare reports on pitch performance for senior leadership

Benefits

  • Ability to work remotely up to two days a week
  • Comprehensive health care benefits package
  • Opportunities for professional development
  • Collaborative work environment with senior stakeholders
  • Engagement in high-profile and strategic client pitches
Full Job Description
Overview

Cleary Gottlieb is looking for a collaborative and commercially minded Proposals Manager to play a key role in shaping the Firm’s global pitches and proposals function. Working closely with the Global Proposals Senior Manager, this role will lead strategic pitch and panel opportunities, bringing structure, insight and persuasive messaging to high-profile client pursuits. The Proposals Manager will work with partners, lawyers, Global Proposals Team and Business Development colleagues to develop compelling, client-focused submissions that reflect the Firm’s strengths, respond directly to client needs and support us in securing high-value opportunities.

Responsibilities
  • Lead the development of strategic panel pitches and complex multi-jurisdictional / multi-practice proposals from start to finish, including running kick-off meetings, shaping strategy and messaging, drafting and reviewing content, and coaching teams of lawyers on what makes a winning proposal. This role will be expected to continue raising the standard of the Firm’s most important pitch work by bringing clear thinking, sound judgement and a strong focus on quality to each opportunity.
  • Assess incoming pitch opportunities with commercial objectivity, advising partners and the wider Business Development team on whether to pursue, how to position the Firm and what approach will give each opportunity the strongest chance of success.
  • Collaborate with colleagues across Business Development, Strategic Pricing, Risk and other relevant teams to create pitch content that is clear, compelling and centred on the client. Ensure that final submissions are polished, accurate and fully aligned with the client’s requirements and instructions.
  • Develop client-centric pitch strategies and content in line with the Firm’s end-to-end pitching process, drawing on client research, sector insight, competitor analysis and market trends to tell a persuasive and tailored story.
  • Coordinate in-person pitch presentation rehearsals and provide practical coaching to senior lawyers on style, approach and messaging, supporting teams through the full pitch process from kick-off meeting to final presentation.
  • Work closely with Graphic Design and Word Processing colleagues to develop polished, visually engaging proposal formats that are creative, professional and consistent with the Firm’s brand guidelines.
  • Champion the Firm’s pitch best practices and processes, identifying opportunities to improve consistency, efficiency and quality across the Business Development team and the wider Firm.
  • Maintain high-quality pitch information, including pitch records, the Firm’s pre-written RFP answer bank, and client portal logins and access details, ensuring that teams can draw on accurate and current materials.
  • Help evolve the Firm’s approach to winning business by gathering feedback on submitted proposals, identifying themes from client feedback and recommending practical improvements to future pitches.
  • Work with the Global Proposals Senior Manager to prepare regular reports for Firm leadership on pitch performance, including win / loss rates and other insights that help inform priorities and improve future outcomes.
Qualifications
  • At least five years’ experience managing strategic and panel pitches, with the ability to advise confidently on approach, positioning and strategy.
  • A strong track record of managing strategic and panel proposals end-to-end in a law firm or professional services environment.
  • Experience working with senior stakeholders, including the confidence to engage, influence and motivate partners and lawyers during high-pressure pitch processes.
  • Excellent attention to detail, with the ability to review complex documents carefully, identify inconsistencies and ensure final materials are accurate and persuasive.
  • Strong organisational, time and project management skills, with the ability to manage a varied portfolio of work and prioritise effectively under competing deadlines.
  • A collaborative mindset and the flexibility to work effectively across time zones, including outside regular business hours where needed.
  • Clear, confident communication skills, with the ability to provide practical recommendations that add value to each pitch proposition.
  • A proactive, enthusiastic and hands-on approach, with the confidence to take ownership and drive work forward.
  • The discretion and judgement to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately.
  • Experience developing best practice or implementing new processes would be an advantage.
  • Knowledge of Foundation, or prior experience using similar pitch or experience management systems, would be helpful.

 

**This role has the ability to work remotely a maximum of two days per week, in lieu of working onsite. The Firm may designate the specific days you are required to work onsite. This policy is subject to change.

 

**Practice portfolio is subject to change to maintain alignment with the evolving needs of the firm.

 

The estimated base salary range for this position is $160,000 to $180,000 at the time of posting. The actual salary offered will depend on a variety of job-related factors, including skills, education, training, credentials, experience, scope and complexity of role responsibilities, geographic location, and performance. This role is non-exempt meaning it is overtime pay eligible.

 

Cleary provides a comprehensive benefits package, including health care benefits. More information can be found here: Benefits

 

About Cleary, Gottlieb Steen

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP is an international law firm headquartered in New York City. The firm was founded in 1946 by lawyers from Cravath, Swaine & Moore and has since grown to include approximately 1,200 lawyers in 16 offices worldwide. Cleary Gottlieb is known for its work in the areas of antitrust, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, securities, and international arbitration and litigation. The firm has represented clients in many high-profile cases, including the restructuring of Greece's sovereign debt and the merger of American Airlines and US Airways. Cleary Gottlieb has been ranked as one of the top law firms in the world by various legal publications.
Learn more about Cleary, Gottlieb Steen
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2,200 employees
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