Proposal Operations Manager, Federal Proposals
Overview
You will own the full proposal lifecycle for federal opportunities, from solicitation release to submission, at West 4th Strategy. You will build compliant shells, run color team reviews, and drive content with subject matter experts. Your work directly supports federal capture and business development, with a focus on FAR-based solicitations. You will handle multiple concurrent proposals, ensuring every deliverable meets strict federal compliance and formatting standards. With 2-5 years of federal proposal experience, you will thrive in a high-stakes environment and make a measurable impact on win rates. This role offers a competitive salary and benefits, with hybrid work in McLean, VA.
What You'll Do10
- 1Serve as Proposal Manager on federal opportunities, managing the end-to-end lifecycle using Shipley or similar methodology.
- 2Analyze RFPs, RFQs, and RFIs to develop compliant outlines, compliance matrices, and annotated outlines aligned to Sections L and M.
- 3Manage multiple concurrent proposal activities and live RFPs, building and maintaining schedules that hit milestones from kickoff through Gold Team and submission.
- 4Facilitate kickoff meetings, storyboarding, and color team reviews, consolidating reviewer feedback into actionable edits.
- 5Partner with capture managers and subject matter experts to translate win themes into clear, compliant, and persuasive proposal content.
- 6Write, edit, and tighten sections including executive summaries, management approaches, and past performance narratives.
- 7Coordinate pricing and cost volume with finance and contracts to ensure alignment between technical and cost volumes.
- 8Ensure final packages meet formatting, page limit, and submission requirements for each solicitation.
- 9Maintain proposal templates, boilerplate content, and past performance libraries in SharePoint, ensuring version control and easy access.
- 10Support debrief analysis and lessons-learned sessions, and train junior writers on best practices and compliance.
Requirements9
- 12-5 years managing or supporting proposals for U.S. federal clients, both civilian and defense.
- 2Demonstrated experience using AI in all aspects of proposal operations.
- 3Working knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and federal procurement, including Sections C, L, and M.
- 4Experience developing compliance matrices, proposal outlines, and managing color team review cycles.
- 5Strong project management skills to juggle multiple concurrent proposals and shifting deadlines.
- 6Excellent written and verbal communication, synthesizing technical input into client-focused narrative.
- 7Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, SharePoint) and Adobe Acrobat.
- 8Ability to work under pressure and meet non-negotiable federal submission deadlines.
- 9Bachelor's degree in business, communications, English, public administration, or equivalent professional experience.
Salary Insight
$100 - $110k per year
Location
Required Skills
Similar open positions
Explore active roles that match your skills and interests.
Inadev
VerifiedSenior Proposal Manager Inadequ
Inadev seeks a Senior Proposal Manager to lead complex Federal proposal efforts from qualification through submission. This leader collaborates with Capture Managers and other experts to craft winning proposals for large-scale opportunities. The role drives end-to-end proposal development while ensuring compliance and excellence.
General Dynamics Information Technology
VerifiedSenior Proposal Manager, Federal RFP & Capture
You will own and drive complex, multi-billion dollar federal proposal efforts from pre-RFP through submission. Your work directly supports GDIT's mission to secure the nation, with high visibility from GDIT leadership including the CEO. You'll collaborate with capture managers, program managers, and technical experts to craft winning proposals that meet government compliance standards. This role demands strategic thinking, rigorous process adherence, and the ability to coach subject matter experts in persuasive writing. With a hybrid schedule in Herndon, VA, you'll balance on-site collaboration with flexible remote work.
Northrop Grumman
VerifiedProposal Manager 3 - TS/SCI (Evergreen Req)
Northrop Grumman seeks a Proposal Manager 3 to lead proposal participants through the full lifecycle, delivering compliant high‑quality submissions. This leadership role partners with leaders across divisions to win top priority opportunities while managing enabling processes and SharePoint‑based collaboration environments. Based in Redondo Beach, CA, the position requires onsite work with up to 25% travel and contingent approval.
Southern Scripts
VerifiedProposal Strategist, PBM & Healthcare RFx
You will own high-complexity proposal responses for Liviniti, a disruptor in the PBM industry, driving revenue growth through strategic, client-focused content. You will collaborate with senior leadership and subject matter experts to craft winning proposals. This role offers full remote flexibility and direct impact on business development in a fast-growing sector. You will build a proposal strategy from kickoff to submission, ensuring compliance and quality.
ANS
VerifiedProposal Specialist, Engineering & RFP Management
You will own the end-to-end proposal process at ANS, a top-ranked consulting engineering firm. You will write, edit, and format responses for RFP/RFQ submissions, working directly with engineers and leadership. You will manage multiple deadlines and maintain a library of reusable content. Your work directly fuels our 1,748% growth and helps us win impactful projects. You will join a team that values autonomy, data, and getting things done.
Halff Associates, Inc
VerifiedProposal Coordinator I - A/E/C Industry
You will own the full proposal lifecycle at Halff Associates, a full-service infrastructure consulting firm with 30+ offices. You will partner with technical staff to craft compliant responses, manage multiple submissions simultaneously, and support interview coaching. This role sits at the intersection of marketing, communications, and engineering, offering visibility into diverse service areas. You will directly shape pursuit strategy for key clients, making your mark on a Top Workplace culture.