Proposal Manager

About the Role

Project manage the response process for Request for Proposals (RFP) and Request for Information (RFI), which may include bids, pricing quotations, and security/risk assessments for prospective and current customers. Manage the proposal process from initiation through delivery, including planning and directing workflows, writing and editing, and ensuring compliance with company policies and standards. Develop a response strategy that supports the overall sales strategy and addresses the customer’s business and technical needs. Ensure proposal responses meet submission deadlines in accordance with established practices.

Responsibilities

• Support sales efforts by managing the proposal process in response to RFIs and RFPs.
• Project management responsibilities, including planning, organizing, measuring, monitoring, and controlling projects with short or compressed customer-driven timeframes.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams (e.g., sales, solution consultants, product management, legal, IT, executive leadership) to establish project plans, manage assignments, and monitor deliverables.
• Facilitate the opportunity qualification process (bid/no-bid decisions) and ensure the team evaluates customer objectives to develop a pursuit strategy.
• Serve as the subject matter lead on company-related topics and Q&A within proposals.
• Write, edit, and proofread proposal content and documentation, including contributions to the proposal content library.
• Oversee compliance with company policies and standards related to RFI and RFP activities.
• Develop a detailed understanding of all ACI solutions and internal processes relevant to proposal development.
• Lead proposal management process improvement and best practice initiatives.
• Identify, develop, and produce operational metrics and reports on a regular cadence.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• BS/BA degree or equivalent experience.
• 2 years of experience in proposal management.
• Knowledge of proposal database and RFP response management solutions, including platforms such as Qvidian and Responsive.

Skills

• AI & Process Innovation:
  • Demonstrated ability to leverage AI-enabled tools to improve proposal quality, accelerate response development, streamline research, and automate administrative tasks while maintaining accuracy, compliance, and governance standards.
  • Identify opportunities to apply emerging technologies, including Generative AI, to enhance proposal operations, knowledge management, content development, reporting, and process efficiency.
  • Champion AI adoption within the proposal function by evaluating new capabilities, recommending best practices, and incorporating AI-driven workflows into the RFP lifecycle.
• Reporting & Business Operation Support:
  • Develop and maintain operational reports, dashboards, and business insights using tools such as Salesforce, Excel, Power BI, or similar platforms to support leadership decision-making and team performance visibility.
  • Analyze proposal activity, workload trends, win/loss outcomes, and pipeline data to create executive-ready presentations and actionable recommendations.
  • Create recurring leadership updates, business reviews, and presentation materials that communicate key metrics, project status, risks, and strategic initiatives.
• Meeting Leadership & Cross-Functional Coordination:
  • Facilitate recurring team meetings, project reviews, and cross-functional working sessions with clear agendas, documented action items, and accountability for follow-through.
  • Coordinate across Sales, Customer Success, Product, Legal, and other stakeholders to drive execution, remove blockers, and maintain alignment throughout the proposal process.
  • Support broader operational initiatives and special projects that contribute to organizational effectiveness, scalability, and continuous improvement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience administering and maintaining Responsive (formerly RFPIO), including content library management, workflow configuration, reporting, and proposal process optimization.
• Knowledge of ACI Worldwide solutions and sales processes.
• MBA.

Work Environment

• Standard office environment.
• Minimal travel required (5-10%, primarily domestic).