Proposal Manager - Houston, TX

About the role

The Proposal Manager leads the development of responsive, compelling, compliant, and professionally executed proposals, presentations, prequalifications, and other related deliverables that position the company for success and reinforce a positive client experience. They work closely with the Senior Proposal Manager, Commercial, Operations, Engineering, Construction, and Executive Leadership teams to develop and implement win strategies, key messages, differentiators, and customer-focused solutions that align with client objectives and company capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Leads assigned proposal, prequalification, presentation, and interview efforts from opportunity identification through submission and closeout.
• Directs pursuit execution activities, including proposal planning, compliance management, schedule development, content development, reviews, production, submission, and lessons learned.
• Assists in bid/no-bid evaluations, pursuit planning activities, and proposal strategy development.
• Develops proposal schedules, outlines, compliance matrices, responsibility matrices, and production plans to support successful pursuit execution.
• Leads kickoff meetings, status meetings, reviews, and other pursuit-related activities.
• Collaborates with Commercial, Business Development, Operations, and technical leadership to develop win strategies, differentiators, key messages, and customer-focused solutions.
• Safeguards proposal deliverables alignment with pursuit strategy, client requirements, and company capabilities.
• Develops, writes, edits, reviews, and quality-checks proposal content as required.
• Ensures proposals comply with client requirements, internal quality standards, and established proposal management practices.
• Maintains and enhances proposal content libraries, project profiles, resumes, templates, and other knowledge management resources.
• Identifies content gaps and coordinates development of reusable content to support future pursuits.
• Provides coaching, mentoring, and developmental support to Proposal Coordinators.
• Supports presentation planning, interview preparation, and executive review processes.
• Collaborates with stakeholders across the organization to gather information and develop compelling proposal responses.
• Conducts post-submission reviews and incorporates lessons learned into future proposal efforts.
• Identifies opportunities to improve proposal quality, efficiency, tools, and pursuit execution practices.
• Maintains awareness of market trends, client priorities, competitive positioning, and industry best practices.
• Supports proposal efforts across markets, sectors, clients, and opportunity types as business priorities require.

Qualifications and Experience

• Ability to apply strategic thinking, customer-focused messaging, and win strategy concepts to the development of high-quality proposals, qualifications, and presentations.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex proposal, qualification, and presentation efforts is required.
• Working knowledge of formal proposal management methodologies, strategic planning, win strategy development, proposal planning, compliance management, and proposal best practices is required.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams, manage multiple priorities, and perform successfully in deadline-driven environments.
• Experience in the engineering, procurement, construction (EPC), industrial, energy, or related industries is preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and in managing electronic content and document repositories.
• Familiarity with APMP (Association of Proposal Management Professionals) standards, methodologies, and industry best practices is strongly preferred.
• APMP certification is preferred but not required.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications, Marketing, Business, English, Construction Management, Engineering, or related field preferred but not required. Comparable industry experience, proposal management experience, or demonstrated competency may be accepted in lieu of a degree.