Water Proposal Manager

About the role

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in fast-paced pursuits, enjoys shaping strategy and messaging, and loves bringing structure and momentum to high-visibility efforts.

Responsibilities

• Lead and guide pursuit teams through capture planning and proposal development, creating and implementing effective win strategies
• Facilitate creation of persuasive proposal and interview materials resulting in messaging that is client-focused, differentiated, and consistent
• Develop and produce proposals, work plans, and schedules and confirm compliance with RFP/RFQ documents
• Write, edit, and refine non-technical content, translating complex technical concepts into clear, compelling narratives
• Coordinate layouts and graphics in alignment with HDR brand standards and proposal best practices
• Lead proposal reviews (Blue, Red, QC, and final checks), guiding teams through revisions and recovery
• Prepare and coach interview teams, supporting storyboarding, rehearsal, and presentation delivery
• Engage and coordinate technical staff, marketing partners, and subconsultants to keep pursuits moving forward smoothly
• Support client development efforts by aligning proposal execution and messaging with established client strategies
• Maintain accurate pursuit information in HDR business development systems (Oracle/EBS, Oscar)
• Facilitate pursuit debriefs to capture lessons learned and continuously improve competitiveness
• Mentor and support teammates, sharing proposal, marketing, and pursuit best practices

Qualifications

• A minimum of 6 years of relevant experience supporting A/E/C proposals or pursuits
• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills
• Excellent time management, organizational and strategic marketing communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work under tight deadlines with professionalism and diplomacy
• Willingness to travel within the Southern California Area as needed
• Ability to compose documents onscreen and to communicate graphically
• Interface with people both inside and outside the firm including clients and sub-consultants
• Strength in managing multiple deadlines/multi-tasking skills while providing responsive communication
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills with emphasis on superior persuasive writing, and presentation; Interview coaching ability a plus
• Enjoy working with different personality styles and management levels
• Requires little or no direction in area of specialization
• Positive outlook and attitude
• Experience supporting pursuit planning and proposal development for competitive A/E/C pursuits; Water industry experience a plus
• Deep knowledge of the A/E/C industry's standard approach to procurement of professional services; Demonstrated experience in writing compelling content based on information from technical staff

Preferred Qualifications

• A minimum of 6 years of relevant experience supporting A/E/C proposals or pursuits
• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills
• Excellent time management, organizational and strategic marketing communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work under tight deadlines with professionalism and diplomacy
• Willingness to travel within the Southern California Area as needed
• Ability to compose documents onscreen and to communicate graphically
• Interface with people both inside and outside the firm including clients and sub-consultants
• Strength in managing multiple deadlines/multi-tasking skills while providing responsive communication
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills with emphasis on superior persuasive writing, and presentation; Interview coaching ability a plus
• Enjoy working with different personality styles and management levels
• Requires little or no direction in area of specialization
• Positive outlook and attitude
• Experience supporting pursuit planning and proposal development for competitive A/E/C pursuits; Water industry experience a plus
• Deep knowledge of the A/E/C industry's standard approach to procurement of professional services; Demonstrated experience in writing compelling content based on information from technical staff