Proposal Manager

Position Summary

The Proposal Manager plays a pivotal role in Ghirardelli’s strategic growth by leading the development and submission of competitive, high-quality proposals and statements of qualifications for projects within the firm’s market sectors. This role requires a high level of independent judgment, strategic thinking, and cross-functional collaboration with Business Development, technical teams, and executive leadership.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Lead the full lifecycle of proposal development, from strategy formulation to submission.
• Develop win themes, value propositions, and competitive differentiation strategies to enhance proposal success rates.
• Analyze RFPs and client requirements, ensuring all proposals align with the company’s strategic objectives.
• Provide guidance and oversight on proposal content, messaging, and compliance.
• Independently manage and prioritize multiple high-value proposals while meeting strict deadlines.
• Collaborate with division directors, project managers, and subject matter experts to develop proposal content.
• Oversee the proposal process, including costing proposals, working closely with Finance and Operations Support teams.
• Act as a key decision-maker in proposal execution, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and quality.
• Manage interview preparation, coordinating with Business Development and technical leads to develop presentation materials and ensure cohesive messaging.
• Mentors and develops marketing coordinators.
• Conduct thorough reviews and edits of proposal content to maintain accuracy, clarity, and alignment with client expectations.
• Reviews proposal deliverables produced by staff, ensuring proposals meet Ghirardelli’s quality standards and compliance requirements.
• Oversee submission logistics, ensuring all proposals are formatted, packaged, and delivered according to deadlines.
• Establishes proposal best practices and standards.
• Partner with Business Development to support client engagement, industry outreach, and project award submissions.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement in the proposal development lifecycle.
• Maintain a deep understanding of industry trends, competitors, and market positioning to enhance proposal success rates.

Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Conduct thorough reviews and edits of proposal content to maintain accuracy, clarity, and alignment with client expectations.
• Reviews proposal deliverables produced by staff, ensuring proposals meet Ghirardelli’s quality standards and compliance requirements.
• Oversee submission logistics, ensuring all proposals are formatted, packaged, and delivered according to deadlines.
• Establishes proposal best practices and standards.

Business Development & Strategic Impact

• Partner with Business Development to support client engagement, industry outreach, and project award submissions.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement in the proposal development lifecycle.
• Maintain a deep understanding of industry trends, competitors, and market positioning to enhance proposal success rates.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

While performing the duties of this job, the associate is regularly required to sit for up to 6 to 8 hours per day. The associate frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feet. Repetitive reaching, repetitive hand use. The associate is occasionally required to stand. The associate must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Wage Range

$105,000 to $135,000 per year