Senior Manager, Pitches and Proposals

About the role

At K&L Gates, we are looking for smart, imaginative and hard-working people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and ideas to join us. Perhaps our search for talented visionaries and your search for important and impactful work lead to the same place. The firm 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.

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
• 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.

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 (