Sr. Proposal Manager

Job Summary: 

The Senior Proposal Manager leads and directs cross-functional proposal development teams formed to respond to requests for proposals / information / qualifications, with a focus on large, complex and strategically significant proposals. The Senior Proposal Manager serves as the project manager for each proposal sprint, fully accountable for driving the process from kickoff through submission.  

As the hub of the proposal effort, the Senior Proposal Manager orchestrates the full lifecycle of development: gathering information, managing input from subject matter experts, shaping substantive drafts, and ensuring all materials are formatted according to client requirements or VEIC standards. The Senior Proposal Manager also leads continuous improvement of VEIC’s proposal processes, templates, and resources. As a senior member of the team, they may also serve as a mentor or resource to colleagues. 

Proposal work is fast-paced and deadline-driven; the Senior Proposal Manager efficiently sets the proposal schedule, directs contributors, monitors progress, and secures internal approvals to ensure timely delivery. Success in this role requires close collaboration with Business Development Managers, Consulting leadership, and technical staff across VEIC. Together, these teams shape solution strategy, define scope, and bring forward the content needed to position VEIC as the winning respondent. 

Typical proposal components include scopes of work, deliverables, organizational qualifications, work plans, staffing plans, staff resumes, project descriptions, and budgets. The Senior Proposal Manager brings strong writing and editing skills, attention to detail, high-quality document production, and the ability to coordinate large contributor teams in a fast-paced environment. They also apply VEIC’s business strategies to shape competitive, compelling proposal responses. 

The Senior Proposal Manager reports to the Manager, Proposals & Pursuits and is a core member of the Bids & Proposals and Business Development teams. 

Location:

This is a remote position, and the ideal candidate will be located in the states where VEIC conducts business: CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, HI, IL, MA, MD, ME, MI, MT, NJ, NY, PA, OH, RI, VA, VT, AND WI. Please note that while we welcome applicants from many areas, we do not currently hire in the following parts of New York: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island. We encourage candidates from other parts of New York to apply and become part of our team!

• Lead and manage proposal development teams, including schedules, proposal development budgets, and contributor engagement. 
• Manage up to five proposals simultaneously including large, complex, high-priority opportunities across multiple service areas.  
• Analyze RFPs and develop customized outlines, templates, and compliance structures. 
• Collaborate with Business Development and technical teams members to shape win themes and strategic positioning. 
• Research, write, and edit proposal content, producing compelling, compliant narrative sections that highlight VEIC’s differentiators. 
• Copy-edit documents for style, consistency, grammar, clarity, and syntax. 
• Manage production, delivery, and distribution of final proposal. 
• Manage client responses and preparation for post-submission interviews. 
• Maintain proposal and content libraries, facilitate lessons learned sessions, and lead process improvements.  
• Trains staff on proposal best practices and support broader VEIC organizational objectives.  
• Other duties as assigned. 

• Strong personal commitment to the mission, vision, goals and values of VEIC. 
• Bachelor’s degree in a field that demonstrates strong writing skills and critical thinking (e.g., Business, Marketing, Communications, English). 
• At least 5 years of experience in proposal management and business or technical writing.  
• Familiarity with Shipley proposal methods. 
• Demonstrated ability to communicate information clearly, adapt communication style to different audiences, and provide high-quality copy editing. 
• Knowledge of decarbonization, clean energy, energy efficiency, consulting or other relevant industry experience (preferred).  
• Deadline-oriented. 
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and competing priorities. 
• Strong interpersonal skills and excellent written and oral communication skills. 
• Demonstrated ability to work with non-technical and technical staff in a team effort, and to work independently to meet project objectives. 
• Strong MS Office Suite experience—particularly Word, Excel and PowerPoint. 

• Internal - Work is normally performed in climate-controlled office environment, where exposure to conditions of extreme heat/cold, poor ventilation, fumes and gases is very limited. Noise level is moderate and includes sounds of normal office equipment (computers, telephones, etc.).  No known environmental hazards are encountered in normal performance of job duties.  

• External - Normal functions do not routinely require travel. Travel to special events and / or off-site meetings required periodically. 

• Physical Demands: Company will provide adaptive devices as needed.  

Culture Inclusive Workplace statement:

We are committed to building a work community that is inclusive and welcoming to all individuals. We value a culture that includes a variety of backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and thoughts. Climate change impacts all of us; however, we are impacted differently based on our identities and experiences. We all deserve a place at the table to make decisions about our collective future – we hope you’ll consider joining us as we work towards our vision for a healthy planet, thriving people, and energy justice. Candidates across all markers of identity (age, race, gender, ability, veteran status, communication style, etc.) are highly encouraged to apply. Any emails from VEIC team members will originate from a @veic.org email address. If you encounter anything that raises suspicions during your interactions, we encourage you to exercise caution and suspend or discontinue communications.