Senior Pursuit Specialist

Company Overview
JEO is not your typical engineering firm. We have a welcoming, fun, and laid-back culture that encourages communication and collaboration where our greatest strength is our team members. If you value great work-life integration and work best in a relaxed, supportive, and inclusive environment, we may be the place where you ARE the best version of yourself. We are a relationship-based company that prioritizes building people and providing opportunities.
With a rich history and a commitment to excellence, JEO has been serving clients since 1937. We are a leading multidisciplinary firm working hard to improve the communities in which we live, work and play. Join us at JEO and become part of our team that blends expertise, fun and passion for serving each other and our communities. Together, we can make a difference while building a rewarding career!

Job Summary:
The Senior Pursuit Specialist serves as a lead strategist for pursuit and proposal development. This role combines creative strategy, technical precision, and leadership to produce winning pursuits that reflect JEO’s brand, values, and expertise. Working in close collaboration with the Director of Pursuit Operations, Department Leaders, Business Development Pillars, and opportunity managers, the Senior Pursuit Specialist manages pursuit schedules, manages cross-department efforts, and develops content that clearly communicates JEO’s strategy and differentiators. The position plays a key role in mentoring pursuit staff, developing and improving pursuit tools and templates, and supporting firmwide consistency in proposal and interview strategy and execution.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Lead pursuit planning, strategy development, and proposal execution for complex, high-value opportunities.
• Collaborate with opportunity managers and business development staff to define win themes, key messages, and proposal strategies.
• Lead monthly technical department opportunity and forecasting reviews; produce reports for proposal hit rates, opportunity pipeline, and work sales.
• Facilitate and participate in Go/NoGo meetings, ensuring informed pursuit decisions and alignment with business development and business operations goals.
• Lead and oversee pursuit activities for complex opportunities, coordinating with Pursuit Specialists, Pursuit Coordinators, and opportunity managers to ensure execution.
• Develop and manage schedules for delivery of proposals and ensure all milestones, reviews, and submittal deadlines are met.
• Write, edit, and refine technical and narrative content that effectively communicates pursuit strategy, approach, and differentiators.
• Lead proposal design coordination and ensure proposal materials meet JEO's branding and visual standards.
• Lead interview preparation, including developing presentation materials, coaching technical staff, and coordinating logistics. 
• Conduct opportunity research and tracking in collaboration with opportunity managers, Business Development Pillars, and business development staff. 
• Maintain accurate opportunity data in CRM [Deltek Vantagepoint] and continue to forcast dashboards and hit rate reports. 
• Conduct QA/QC reviews of proposals and other deliverables for accuracy, compliance, and consistency.
• Collaborate with communications and marketing staff to develop compelling project storytelling and supporting materials, including award submittals, project descriptions, photography, and other promotional content.Provide mentorship and guidance to Pursuit Specialists and Pursuit Coordinators, promoting growth and consistency within the pursuit team.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of proposal templates, pursuit tools, and knowledge-sharing resources. 

Qualifications:

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in pursuit strategy, business development, and/or marketing in the A/E/C industry.
• Demonstrated success mentoring staff and fostering collaboration across departments.
• Demonstrated success managing complex high-value proposals from strategy to submission.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and communication skills, with a focus on visuals and technical writing.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe InDesign, Microsoft Ofice Suite, and CRM Software [Deltek Vantagepoint preferred].
• Strong organizational and leadership skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines. 

With offices throughout the Midwest, JEO is proud to offer a robust benefits package designed to support and protect our employees and their loved ones. In turn, we trust these benefits and rewards will amplify the pride and satisfaction you feel as an integral part of JEO. A few of the highlights include competitive salaries, insurance options, vacation/sick/flex time, 401K matching, wellness incentives, comprehensive career development support, an annual bonus program, participation in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and much more aimed at enriching your experience with us.

EOE/AA/E-Verify