Proposal Manager

Job Summary
We are excited to announce that AKS Engineering & Forestry (AKS) is seeking a full-time Proposal Manager to join our established marketing team located in our Keizer, Tualatin, or Bend, Oregon or Vancouver, Washington office. Our team works together to produce high-quality proposals, rosters, and statements of qualifications supporting our business development efforts. This fast-paced environment will have you working directly with project managers and technical staff in all our AKS offices, but primarily our teams in Keizer and Bend, Oregon.

Ideal Candidate Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s Degree in English, journalism, communications, marketing, business, or a related combination of education and experience.
• A minimum of 2 to 5 years of A/E/C experience developing customized Qualifications Based Selection (QBS) proposals for local, state, and federal agencies.
• Capacity to self-start and work independently with minimal supervision, but function as part of an integrated team.
• Ability to develop a fundamental understanding of all aspects of AKS’ business and be able to clearly communicate that understanding verbally and in writing.
• Effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proficiency in marketing research and tracking Requests for Proposals (RFPs).
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign and Illustrator) and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience working with client relationship management software (CRM), Unanet (Cosential) preferred.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• Proven ability to manage and prioritize multiple deadlines.
• Personal responsibility for completing quality work within budgets and timelines.
• Flexibility and willingness to adapt to fluctuating priorities and deadlines.
• Must be willing and able to provide industry-specific proposal samples upon request.

• Strategizing, writing, and editing content for proposals, qualification packages, resumes, project descriptions, and award submittals.
• Coordinating go/no-go meetings with management teams.
• Ensuring proposal documents and statements of qualifications comply with RFQ and RFP requirements while highlighting points of differentiation.
• Drafting proposal outlines and development plans.
• Collaborating regularly with technical and marketing staff regarding details about proposal schedules, tracking action items, and ensuring everyone on the team meets the internal deadlines.
• Supporting the rest of the marketing team by proofreading and editing materials as needed or jumping in to help with the preparation of deliverables when deadlines approach.
• Adhering to the specifications outlined in AKS’ Writing Style Guide and company-wide branding standards.
• Supporting other marketing and business development projects on an as-needed basis.
• Traveling to other AKS offices to attend in-person meetings and provide support, as needed.
• Maintaining data in firm-wide CRM software (Unanet-Cosential), including project photography, project descriptions, resumes and employee qualifications information, and awards.
• Developing and maintaining effective positive working relationships with co-workers, clients, and other project team members.
• Producing hard copy and/or electronic final proposal and qualification statements in compliance with submission requirements outlined in RFPs and RFQs.
• Applying information from technical personnel and other sources, coordinating with subconsultants, and editing proposal text in a unified voice and persuasive style.
• Leading interview strategy and preparation meetings; preparing presentation and interview materials.

• Opportunities for personal and professional development, mentorship, advancement, and training.
• Collaborative team environment, fun atmosphere, and all staff and team events.
• Security working for an established, reputable, stable, and successful company.
• Weekly lunches with dining area set up to encourage staff to spend unstructured time together.
• Flexible work schedule, vacations, and time off.