Manager - Marketing Proposals

About the role

A strong proposal does more than answer a request. It brings together the right people, a clear strategy, and a compelling story about how a team will meet a client’s needs. As our Marketing Manager – Proposals, you will lead the centralized proposal function for Kraus-Anderson Construction and help create a more consistent, efficient, and strategic pursuit experience. This is an opportunity for a leader who enjoys developing people as much as improving processes. You will guide the Proposal team, partner closely with Business Development and Construction leaders, and help teams focus their effort where it matters most. From early pursuit planning through submission and interview preparation, you will bring clarity to complex work and help strengthen the capabilities that contribute to winning new business. As our pursuit process and marketing capabilities continue to evolve, so will the opportunities for this role to expand its impact and take on new challenges aligned with the needs of the business.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Proposal team
  • Lead, coach, and support a centralized team of Proposal Coordinators
  • Set clear expectations for quality, ownership, and collaboration while creating an environment where team members can grow
  • Manage annual goal setting, quarterly performance reviews, year-end compensation reviews, delegation, and ongoing feedback
  • Manage proposal demand and team capacity; prioritize pursuits, allocate resources, anticipate busy periods, and prepare the team to support high-value opportunities
  • Help partners understand tradeoffs and keep work moving when priorities shift or deadlines compete
• Build a consistent pursuit experience
  • Work with a cross-functional team to establish and continually improve the way proposal work gets done: define roles and responsibilities, workflows, timelines, handoffs, and quality standards in collaboration with Marketing, Business Development, and Operations
  • Partner with Business Development leadership to define an integrated pursuit process connecting capture planning, proposal development, interview strategy, presentation development, and interview preparation
  • Make it easier for contributors to understand what is needed, when it is needed, and how their expertise supports a client-focused response
  • Oversee proposals from opportunity intake through submission, keeping schedules, deliverables, messaging, compliance requirements, and quality on track
  • Collaborate with construction professionals, technical staff, marketers, and other partners to turn complex information into clear, relevant pursuit materials
• Improve the tools and practices behind the work
  • Establish and refine proposal templates, content, processes, and best practices that improve efficiency and create a better experience for internal partners
  • Establish criteria for when a pursuit calls for custom branding, balancing the needs of the opportunity with available resources
  • Assess the technology that supports proposal work and collaborate with the Marketing Technology Manager and IT on opportunities to improve system integration, data quality, taxonomy, workflows, and adoption
  • Use pursuit data, key performance indicators, stakeholder feedback, and performance results to guide decisions about resources and processes
  • Create feedback loops — including reviews of wins and losses — to identify lessons that can strengthen future efforts
  • Help the proposal function evolve as broader Marketing capabilities and priorities evolve

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent education or experience, in Marketing, Business, Communications, Public Relations, or a related area
• At least 6–8 years of related experience in proposals, marketing, business development, pursuit management, or a similar field
• Construction industry experience preferred
• Experience leading proposal or pursuit teams and coordinating complex, deadline-driven work involving multiple stakeholders
• Strong understanding of proposal development, pursuit strategy, capture planning, interview preparation, and the business development process
• Ability to design and improve processes, clarify responsibilities, and build accountability where practices are still developing
• Proficiency with proposal, CRM, project management, content management, and other relevant marketing technology, along with Microsoft 365 applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively with executives, business development professionals, construction teams, and cross-functional partners
• Sound judgment, strong organization and project management skills, and the ability to use data and feedback to make informed recommendations

Just as important, you can build trust. You listen to what partners need, ask good questions, and help teams navigate competing priorities without losing sight of quality or deadlines. You’re comfortable providing constructive feedback, recognizing good work, and holding yourself and others accountable. You work with integrity, maintain professional standards, and follow company policies and procedures.

Working in this role

• This position has direct reports, including Proposal Coordinators, and requires limited travel
• The role may involve visits to construction jobsites
• Depending on the work, you may need to sit, stand, and talk frequently; occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds; and navigate jobsite conditions
• Jobsite conditions may include ladders or scaffolding, sand or mud, and areas around vehicles or construction equipment
• The role also calls for close and distance vision, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role

Why this opportunity matters

Proposal work is at its best when strategy, execution, and collaboration reinforce one another. In this role, you’ll have the chance to strengthen all three: develop a capable team, create clearer ways of working, and help pursuit partners present thoughtful, client-focused responses. If you enjoy leading people, improving systems, and bringing order to fast-moving work, we encourage you to consider this role.

Pay

Salary Range: $100,000 to $125,000 annually, plus discretionary incentive program. While the range listed represents the anticipated hiring range for this position, offers at the upper end of the range are uncommon. Pay is based on many factors including but not limited to education, skill, experience, training, certifications, and other business needs.

Benefits

• Medical insurance plan options
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
• Flex Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Wellness Program
• Fitness Center (Minneapolis)
• KA University Training and Development
• 401(k) Plan
• Company sponsored Short Term and Long Term Disability
• Company sponsored Life/Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Time Off including vacation, sick and holiday pay
• Workplace Flexibility
• Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Military Leave for Active Reserve Duty
• Free Parking
• Array of Voluntary Benefits and other perks

About the company

Core Purpose: Building enduring relationships and strong communities

Core Values:

• Integrity – Do the right thing…always be respectful, honest and fair
• Commitment – Take ownership, work hard, and keep promises
• Teamwork – Collaborate to foster trust and success for all
• Value People – Support each other in a safe, positive environment where people are recognized and appreciated for their contributions

For more than a century, Kraus-Anderson has been transforming the American landscape. Founded in 1897 and privately owned and managed by the Engelsma family for more than 70 years, KA is consistently ranked by Engineering News Record among the top 50 general contractors in the United States. Our base of operations in Minnesota is supplemented with regional offices, extending our capabilities coast to coast. We take a highly collaborative approach to our work. We work closely with owners, architects and the entire planning team well before ground is broken; providing cost analyses, scheduling information, and value engineering services to ensure that our client can make informed decisions leading to a timely finish of the highest quality and the best value.

We offer a challenging, rewarding, and supportive environment where employees are positioned to make a positive impact on our business, our communities, and their own future. We believe in building leaders. KA offers a wide range of enrichment and professional growth opportunities through KA University and community service opportunities through our KA Has Heart Volunteer Program.