Proposal & RFP Specialist

About the role

This direct hire opportunity is ideal for an experienced proposal professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys owning the full proposal lifecycle—from receiving an RFP through final submission.

Responsibilities

• Own the complete RFP, rebid and proposal process from receipt through final submission
• Develop, write, edit and assemble polished, customer-focused proposal responses while ensuring compliance with all requirements
• Collaborate with executive leadership, Sales and cross-functional teams to develop compelling, compliant proposals that help secure new business and support continued company growth
• Prepare proposal documents, supporting materials and submission packages
• Maintain proposal documentation, customer records and contract information within Salesforce and other CRM platforms
• Track multiple proposal deadlines while effectively managing competing priorities
• Deliver high-quality, accurate proposals on time with exceptional attention to detail
• Continuously improve proposal content, templates and internal processes

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience managing and writing RFPs, RFIs, RFQs and proposals from the service provider side
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including PivotTables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, formulas and data organization
• Experience within facilities management, staffing, commercial services, business services, security or another service-based industry
• Salesforce experience strongly preferred; experience with another CRM platform required
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Strong project management, organizational and time management abilities
• Ability to build strong relationships across all levels of an organization
• A commitment to producing polished, compelling and accurate proposal materials under tight deadlines

Qualifications

• Experience collaborating with senior leadership and cross-functional teams
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Flexibility to support proposal deadlines outside of standard business hours when needed

Skills

• Proactive, solutions-oriented mindset
• Outstanding organizational and project management skills
• The ability to build strong relationships across all levels of an organization
• A commitment to producing polished, compelling and accurate proposal materials under tight deadlines

Benefits

• $75,000-$85,000 base salary
• Eligibility to earn an annual bonus
• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company-sponsored benefits
• Paid time off and holidays
• High-impact role supporting strategic growth initiatives
• Opportunity to work closely with executive leadership
• Stable organization with long-term career growth potential

Key Details

• Position: Proposal & RFP Specialist
• Compensation: $75,000-$85,000 base salary plus annual bonus
• Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, 401(k), PTO and additional company-sponsored benefits
• Location: Downtown Chicago, IL
• Work Model: Fully onsite (5 days per week)