Senior Proposal Manager

Senior Proposal Manager  

Overview 

Reporting to the Manager, Proposal Management within PDS, the Senior Proposal Manager leads proposals for federal, state, and local government, private foundations, nonprofit, and commercial sponsors with minimal supervision. This position works closely with principal investigators and division staff in planning proposals, including developing strategies to ensure that proposal sections comply with RFX specifications and instructions. This position oversees all proposal volumes and components, managing staff, timelines, inputs. And overall quality and compliance on the proposals they support.  

The Senior Proposal Manager is responsible for ensuring adherence to established proposal development and management best practices, tools, templates, and processes within proposals supported. They lead the development of win themes for up to 50% of supported proposals; oversee and manage all volume inputs and team deliverables such as past performances, resumes, supplemental budget documents, certifications, and subcontractor inputs while controlling the timelines and team communications. The position is tasked with flowing data and insights from proposals from salesforce and CLM systems up to the Manager. 

Responsibilities and Duties 

• 85% Proposal Management –Manages RAND’s moderately complex and large opportunities (importance, complexity, and value) and works across a variety of clients. Works seamlessly with principal investigators, division staff, pricing analysts, contracts and grants staff and others to ensure timely collection and accumulation of appropriate cost, schedule, and technical elements of proposals. Ensures compliance with RFX requirements and has a good understanding of contractual language and the implications on the proposal and how to address them. 

• 5% Strategy Development – Dissect RFXs and  technical and business volume components and provides this information to technical teams. Compiles cost, schedule, and technical elements for the development of proposals in accordance with RFX specifications and instructions. Reviews proposals to determine proposal compliance with customer requirements and alignment to proposed scope of work. Leads the development of win themes, proposal approaches, and strategies on approximately 50% of opportunities assigned. Provides insights and guidance on sponsor-specific solutions, nuances, and strategies for the defined portfolios that they support. 

• 5% Training and Development – Develops internal and external training initiatives for – and presenting at – formal trainings on topics related to proposal development including: capabilities, proposal management, timeline management, compliance, among other areas. Provides training, advice, and guidance on an as needed basis to members of the proposal team around proposal best practices, processes, and compliance. 

• 5% Proposal Process Improvements – Revises proposal processes and policies to drive efficiencies and quality within the client portfolios assigned. Maintains templates, tools, and other proposal resources for client portfolios to which they are assigned. 

• Cross-functional Collaboration – Works closely with pricing analysts, contracts and grants staff, research and analysis staff, division leadership, external affairs, and other teams on proposal components and deliverables. 

• Works within the CRM platform to track, monitor, and advise proposal inputs and outcomes for their client portfolios.  

• Documents standard operating procedures and processes. 

• Provides individual trainings on proposal development and templates to stakeholders within RAND. 

Qualifications 

• ​Working proficiency of Microsoft Office, Excel, limited experience with database and enterprise proposal development platforms  

• Good written and verbal skills dealing with a variety of proposal staff 

• Deep understanding of most funding opportunity types (contracts, grants, cooperative agreements etc.).  

• Expert knowledge of budget types and price proposal implications (T&M, CPFF, FFP etc.). 

• Profound comprehension of FAR, DFAR and contractual terms and implications on proposal development. 

Security clearance

Current possession of a U.S. security clearance, or the ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance, is . 

Education 

A Bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, Marketing, Business or similar disciplines and 6 years of relevant experience is preferred, however, a combination of education and relevant experience may be substituted for a BS/BA degree.  Please note relevant experience or current professional certification may be considered in lieu of a degree from a university or college that is accredited by the U.S. Department of Education.  

Location 

• Washington, DC, Pittsburgh, PA, or Santa Monica, CA 

• This can be a 100% remote position.