Senior Manager, Pitches and Proposals

About the Role

K&L Gates is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and high-performing Senior Manager, Pitches and Proposals to lead a team of five professionals and help advance the firm's pitch and proposal capabilities. As a key leader within a growing, high-impact function, you will develop talent, drive operational excellence, and shape the future direction of the team while ensuring the delivery of compelling, client-focused RFP responses and pitch materials.

In this role, you will oversee the strategy, execution, and quality of the firm's most important pitch and proposal opportunities, partnering closely with lawyers, Client Growth colleagues, and cross-functional stakeholders. As a working manager, you will maintain direct responsibility for a designated portfolio of practice areas and industry sectors, personally leading and developing strategic pitches, proposals, and other business development deliverables while guiding the work of your team.

Key Relationships

• Pitch and Proposal Center of Excellence
• Client Growth Team
• Practice and Industry Growth Leads
• Practice Area Leaders and Lawyers
• Matter Planning and Pricing Team
• Conflicts Department

Responsibilities

• Partner closely with the Director, Brand Marketing and Communications, to execute strategic initiatives, drive operational excellence, and advance the firm's business development objectives.
• Develop deep knowledge of the firm's practice areas, industry sectors, client base, and competitive differentiators to effectively position the firm's capabilities in the marketplace.
• Lead the strategy, development, and execution of assigned pitches, proposals, and RFP responses, ensuring a compelling, client-centric approach that aligns with pursuit objectives.
• Apply proposal management best practices and sound judgment to drive consistency, quality, efficiency, and competitiveness across all submissions.
• Apply critical thinking and sound business judgment to evaluate pursuit opportunities, identify strategic advantages, and provide recommendations that strengthen messaging, sharpen value propositions, and enhance the firm's likelihood of success.
• Collaborate with lawyers, Client Growth colleagues, and other stakeholders to analyze client objectives, anticipate competitive dynamics, develop pursuit strategies, and coordinate contributions across practices, industries, and US offices.
• Draft, customize, and refine persuasive content that addresses client needs, demonstrates the firm's experience and capabilities, and clearly articulates its competitive advantages.
• Manage complex proposal workflows, timelines, and deliverables, ensuring projects remain on track and all submission requirements are met accurately and on schedule.
• Ensure strict adherence to RFP instructions, firm standards, and Pitch and Proposal Center of Excellence policies and procedures.
• Partner with Matter Planning, pricing, and client teams to support fee strategy development, proposal pricing responses, and broader client relationship initiatives.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of pitch and proposal professionals, fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture that values critical thinking, strategic problem-solving, quality, accountability, and continuous growth.
• Encourage a consultative, critical-thinking approach to proposal development, challenging assumptions, identifying opportunities to strengthen the firm's position, and proactively recommending solutions that improve pursuit outcomes.
• Manage team capacity, workflow prioritization, and resource allocation to ensure timely delivery of high-quality work across multiple concurrent pursuits.
• Establish and promote best practices, quality standards, and consistent processes that strengthen the effectiveness and scalability of the firm's pitch and proposal function.
• Provide coaching and strategic guidance on complex pursuits, serving as a resource for team members and helping elevate the overall quality of deliverables.
• Identify opportunities to enhance proposal processes, content management, technology utilization, and reporting capabilities to improve team performance and business outcomes.

Requirements

Undergraduate degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, English, or Business preferred.

Skills and Experience

• Proven experience drafting RFP responses and developing compelling pitch materials for a global law firm environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including strong Word, PowerPoint, and Excel capabilities.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex concepts clearly and persuasively.
• Strong organizational abilities, with a demonstrated track record of managing multiple deadlines and priorities effectively.
• Ability to articulate a clear value proposition and differentiate practice strengths, particularly in competitive proposal scenarios.
• Advanced analytical and critical-thinking skills to support strategic decision-making and problem-solving.
• Experience mentoring or guiding team members within a business development or proposal environment.
• Familiarity with Saturno WebBack application a plus.
• Proficiency with Adobe Acrobat, including the ability to produce polished, visually engaging client-facing materials.

Pay

Salary $128,993 - $257,984 / year. The compensation salary for this position will be determined during the interview process and will vary based on multiple factors, including but not limited to prior experience, relevant expertise, current business needs, and market factors.

About the Firm

K&L Gates is a fully integrated global law firm with lawyers located across five continents in more than 40 offices. We have experienced dramatic growth in the past decade and now rank among the largest U.S.-based law firms in the world. We take pride in constantly striving for innovation, imagination, and an entrepreneurial spirit. We come up with big ideas and then roll up our sleeves to get the job done, guiding our clients through their most complex issues in a variety of industry sectors and across multiple regions of the world.

The industry recognition the firm has garnered emanates from the foundation of a global community aligned on behalf of our clients. The people at K&L Gates are committed to working together to create a legacy for each other, the firm, our clients, and the communities in which we serve. We thrive in an inclusive and socially conscious environment that embraces diversity and takes a holistic approach to the career evolution of all our professionals.

Benefits

• Medical/Prescription Drug Coverage (including a Health Savings Account feature)
• Back-up Child/Elder Care and access to a caregiving concierge
• Dental Insurance
• Wellness Program
• Vision Insurance
• Pre-tax Commuting Benefits
• 401(k) Retirement Plan and Profit Sharing
• Business Travel Accident Insurance
• Short- and Long-term Disability Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Life Insurance (including Basic, Supplemental, Spouse, Child, and Accidental Death and Dismemberment)
• Health Advocacy Services
• Paid Time Off (25-30 days per year)
• Identity Protection/Restoration and Fraud Insurance
• Parental Leave (18 weeks, of which 6 are paid; short-term disability may provide additional paid time off)
• Student loan refinancing options and access to a student loan concierge service
• Paid Holidays (12)
• Addiction Resources
• Family Building Benefits
• Breast Milk Delivery and Lactation Support Services
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Professional Development and CLE Credit Opportunities
• 529 Deductions
• Relocation Accident Insurance
• Employee Referral Program
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Hybrid/Remote Work Opportunities
• Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• Technology, Entertainment, and Travel Discount Programs
• Bereavement Leave
• All other benefits (such as leaves of absence) required by law