Senior Proposal Specialist

About the role

GFT is seeking a Senior Proposal Specialist to join our BD&M team within the Midwest. The position can be based in Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, or Austin, TX. Preferred experience with TxDOT and major metros (or similar clients). This role blends proposal leadership, capture planning, interview development, and client service—and offers opportunities to mentor junior staff, contribute to process improvements, and help shape the future of our business development efforts.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, development, and delivery of compelling, compliant, and client-focused proposals, qualifications, and presentations.
• Collaborate with technical teams, subject matter experts, and marketing resources to craft materials that win.
• Capture Planning: Lead standard- and strategic-level pursuits, driving capture kick-offs, follow-up meetings, and early positioning discussions; conduct research into clients, competitors, and markets to inform win themes and pursuit strategies; draft pre-RFP content to support strategic positioning; determine resource needs for assigned pursuits; collaborate with BD leadership to ensure consistent implementation of best practices.
• Proposal Management: Lead complex proposals from initial request to final submission; analyze SOQs/RFPs to prepare compliance matrices, schedules, and outlines; facilitate and participate in kick-off meetings, milestone reviews, and client debriefs; develop client-focused proposal sections including cover letters, executive summaries, personnel bios, project descriptions, firm overviews, and subconsultant qualifications; edit technical approaches for narrative clarity, structure, and alignment with visual messaging; partner with graphic designers to develop custom visuals and infographics that reinforce win themes; coordinate and prepare interview teams, including scheduling, content preparation, and rehearsals; track all opportunities and deliverables in CRM.
• Client Service Team Support: Support Tier I client management activities in collaboration with BD Client Service Leaders; serve as BD Partner for Tier II/III clients; conduct client research (contract awards, budgets, press coverage, events) to inform pursuit strategies; prepare client meeting materials, capabilities briefings, and targeted marketing collateral.
• BD Data, Processes & Innovation: Participate in or lead working groups focused on improving BD systems, processes, and tools; use approved AI tools for writing, research, and proposal efficiency; collaborate with leadership on new use cases.
• Collaboration & Mentorship: Manage communications, delegate tasks, and monitor progress to ensure deadlines are met; mentor junior BD staff, providing feedback and coaching to support their professional growth; foster a collaborative, inclusive team culture that values quality, consistency, and best practices.

Requirements

• Normally a 4-year degree required in Marketing, Communications, or applicable field.
• Preferred experience with TxDOT or major metro cities.
• Minimum of 5 years of combined prior proposal experience is required and preferred in the AEC industry leading, coordinating, planning, and developing proposals and qualifications, including section writing experience.

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Able to work with some degree of independence to execute proposal lifecycle.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and CRM tools; experience with Adobe InDesign preferred.

Benefits

• Hybrid work environment.
• Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
• Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
• Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations.
• Incentive compensation for eligible positions.

Pay

The salary range for this role is $75,000 - $95,000. Salary is dependent upon experience and geographic location.

Schedule

Core Business Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Employment Status: Full-Time. Location: Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin.