Proposal Manager

About This Role

This Proposal Manager leads federal proposal efforts from solicitation release through submission. The role works closely with business development, capture, contracts, pricing, and technical subject matter experts (SMEs) to produce compliant, competitive proposals for defense and civilian federal customers. It suits a proposal professional with several years of hands-on experience who aims to manage full pursuits independently and help shape how C5MI's proposal function grows.

Responsibilities

• Manage assigned proposals through the full lifecycle, including RFIs, sources sought notices, RFPs, RFQs, task orders, and contract vehicle on-ramps, often with multiple pursuits running concurrently
• Analyze solicitations (Sections L and M, SOW/PWS, evaluation criteria, and submission instructions) and translate requirements into annotated outlines, compliance matrices, and clear writing assignments
• Build and maintain proposal schedules, lead kickoff meetings, and hold contributors accountable to milestone deadlines
• Partner with capture and business development leads to carry win themes, discriminators, and customer insight into proposal content
• Write, edit, and rewrite technical, management, and past performance sections, turning SME input into polished, evaluator-friendly narrative
• Coordinate color reviews, adjudicate reviewer comments, and track recovery actions to closure
• Work with pricing and contracts to keep technical and cost volumes aligned on labor categories, staffing assumptions, and required representations and certifications
• Coordinate with teaming partners and subcontractors on content, data calls, and document exchange
• Perform final compliance, quality, and formatting checks, and manage electronic submission through government portals such as SAM.gov, PIEE, and GSA eBuy
• Maintain and grow the proposal content library, including past performance write-ups, corporate content, etc.
• Use approved AI tools to accelerate drafting, solicitation analysis, and content reuse, applying human review and C5MI data handling policy to all AI-assisted work
• Capture lessons learned and debrief feedback and recommend improvements to templates, tools, and processes
• Provide day-to-day direction and writing feedback to proposal coordinators, writers, and SMEs on assigned efforts
• Adhere to all certified processes as part of our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of quality and information security, which includes actively participating in quality assurance activities and ensuring the protection of sensitive information in accordance with our security policies
• Perform other related tasks as assigned by direct supervisor

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, English, Business, Marketing, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience
• 5-7 years of experience in proposal development, proposal management, or technical writing; 7-10 years of experience with no degree
• At least 2 years managing federal government proposals from release through submission
• Working knowledge of the federal acquisition process, including FAR-based procurements, Section L and M structure, and common contract types (IDIQ, GWAC, BPA, and task orders)
• Hands-on experience running color team reviews within a structured methodology such as Shipley or APMP best practices
• Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts in plain, persuasive language for government evaluators
• Demonstrated ability to manage several concurrent proposals under tight deadlines without sacrificing quality
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and SharePoint
• Ability to work effectively in a fully remote environment and collaborate with distributed teams across time zones

Nice to have:

• APMP Foundation or Practitioner certification
• Formal Shipley training
• Proposal experience with DoD customers, particularly defense logistics and sustainment programs
• Familiarity with SAP, ERP modernization, supply chain, or data analytics – enough to engage technical SMEs in productive conversation
• Experience supporting contract vehicle on-ramps or agency multiple-award IDIQs
• Exposure to cost volumes, basis of estimate (BOE) development, or pricing narratives
• Basic graphics and desktop publishing skills in PowerPoint, Word, etc.
• Experience with market research and pipeline tools such as GovWin IQ, HigherGov, or SAM.gov
• Support for oral presentations and technical demonstrations
• Active security clearance or the ability to obtain one
• Practical experience using AI tools such as Claude or ChatGPT in proposal development
• Experience at a small or mid-size government contractor where proposal staff wear multiple hats

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability coverage
• 401(k) plan
• Bonus opportunities
• Paid holidays
• Paid time off

Important Details

• Application deadline: 1 December 2026

Application Process

• Complete the application and submit a resume
• Upload a copy of any specific certification required

About the Company

C5MI is a high-performance team of SAP and supply chain experts who solve complex, mission-critical challenges for organizations. The company's culture rewards initiative, accountability, and continuous growth.