Proposal Manager

This position is remote but requires the ability to meet in person as needed. Candidates must reside in the Washington, DC / Maryland / Virginia (DMV) area.

OVERVIEW

The Proposal Manager is responsible for managing and coordinating the development of competitive federal proposals in support of Applied Intellect’s Technology Services, Environmental Services and Human Services divisions. This role focuses on planning, organizing and driving proposal efforts from kickoff through submission, ensuring compliance with solicitation requirements and delivery of high-quality, well-structured proposals.

The Proposal Manager works closely with business development staff, subject matter experts, leadership and external stakeholders to keep proposal efforts on track, facilitate collaboration, and ensure deadlines are met. This position is well-suited for someone who is highly organized, comfortable managing multiple priorities, and experienced in federal proposal environments. This is a hands-on, individual contributor role requiring active participation in proposal writing, editing, and compliance execution. The Proposal Manager is expected to work directly in proposal documents and is accountable for both leadership and content development throughout the proposal lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

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• Lead proposal execution from solicitation release through final submission.
  
• Develop proposal plans, schedules, and volume structures based on capture direction.
  
• Direct and coordinate proposal contributors, including writers, SMEs, executives, and partners.
  
• Analyze solicitations to interpret instructions, compliance requirements, and evaluation criteria.
  
• Build and manage compliance matrices to ensure all requirements are fully addressed.
  
• Provide editorial leadership and direction to proposal writers and contributors.
  
• Write and edit proposal sections including management approaches, technical narratives, staffing plans, and past performance.
  
• Translate subject matter expert input into clear, compliant, and persuasive proposal language aligned with evaluation criteria.
  
• Develop proposal themes, discriminators, and messaging based on capture guidance and win strategies.
  
• Collaborate closely with capture leadership to align proposal content with solution features and competitive positioning.
  
• Ensure proposal content is compliant, cohesive, and submission ready.
  
• Identify and resolve execution risks, content gaps, and schedule issues during proposal development.
  
• Maintain configuration control, file organization, and version discipline throughout the proposal lifecycle.
  
• Oversee development of proposal artifacts such as resumes, staffing plans, and past performance volumes.
  
• Maintain and refine proposal templates, tools, and standard content resources.
  
• Lead proposal closeout activities, including submission coordination and lessons learned documentation.
  
• Performs other duties as assigned.
  

All of the above duties and responsibilities are essential job functions subject to reasonable accommodation. All job duties indicated are not to be an exhaustive statement and other job-related duties may be assigned as required by the supervisor(s).

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

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• Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, English, technical writing, public administration, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant proposal experience.
  
• 6+ years of federal proposal development experience supporting services-based contracts.
  
• Proven experience leading proposal execution from RFP release through submission.
  
• Strong knowledge of federal procurement and proposal compliance (FAR/DFARS; Sections L & M).
  
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent, deadline-driven proposals.
  
• Advanced skills in proposal compliance, document quality control, and hands-on writing and editing of proposal content.
  
• Experience coordinating SMEs, business development staff, executives, and subcontractors.
  
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, Teams, SharePoint, and generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini) to support proposal development and content refinement.
  
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
  
• Ability to work independently in a remote environment with minimal oversight.
  
• Legally authorized to work in the United States and able to meet background check requirements.
  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

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• APMP Foundation or Practitioner certification.
  
• Shipley training in proposal management.
  
• Experience supporting IT services, environmental services, or human services proposals.
  
• Experience supporting multi-volume, multi-year federal proposals, including agencies such as HHS, DHS, DOJ, DOI, and EPA.
  

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

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• Satisfactory completion of Applied Intellect’s Orientation and Training.
  
• Complete additional training as identified by supervisor or Human Resources
  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

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• Use of manual dexterity, tactile, visual, and audio acuity.
  
• Use of repetitive motion, prolonged periods of sitting and standing, and sustained visual and mental applications and demands.
  
• Occasional lifting (up to 25 pounds), bending, pulling, and carrying; and
  
• Quantitative/mathematical ability (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, standard measurements).
  

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Applied Intellect is an equal opportunity employer.

The above-listed duties and responsibilities are essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. All job duties indicated are not to be an exhaustive statement, and other job-related duties may be assigned as required by the supervisor(s).