Proposal Manager – Federal Civilian Proposal Team Lead

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in New Mexico.

📋 Description

• Collaborate with regional teams and Business Lines on key pursuits, including pre-positioning, RFQ and RFP responses, as well as shortlist interviews.

• Enhance communication and collaboration with marketing teams, client account managers, business lines, and regional offices.

• Mentor and coach direct reports and other members of the proposal team.

• Distribute workload across the Federal portfolio while promoting cross-skilling and upskilling among proposal staff.

• Oversee team performance and ensure the delivery of compliant, high-quality proposals.

• Track and report on the progress of critical must-win pursuits, including win strategies, positioning, proposal development, and leadership communication.

• Act as a color team and/or compliance reviewer for must-win pursuits.

• Lead team initiatives and special projects, focusing on process improvements and AI integration.

• Engage in strategic planning, assess marketing intelligence, address customer concerns, and formulate win strategies.

• Guide complex, high-priority must-win pursuits from capture through the interview stage.

• Create schedules, templates, content plans, annotated outlines, initial drafts, compliance matrices, and production plans.

• Write and edit executive summaries, resumes, experience/past performance descriptions, management sections, and other non-technical proposal components.

• Participate in Go/No-Go decisions, capture strategy discussions, and greenlight assessments.

• Ensure compliance with delegation of authority guidelines, capture planning, and positioning activities.

• Facilitate color team and quality reviews while applying lessons learned.

• Execute proposal and presentation revisions based on feedback from the review team.

• Review and support pursuits managed by other proposal managers and serve as a pink- and red-team reviewer.

• Conduct and analyze debriefs, applying insights gained.

• Provide strategic direction and leadership for proposals assigned to other team members.

• Report directly to the Director of Federal Marketing within the National Governments Marketing group.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, English, Communications, Marketing, or a related field, along with 8+ years of relevant experience—or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in people management.

• Proven track record in recruiting, developing, mentoring, and retaining talent.

• Familiarity with the Architecture/Engineering industry, particularly AECOM’s U.S. Federal clients, projects, teams, credentials, and competitors.

• Ability to estimate effort levels, assign and balance workloads, lead diverse teams, and collaborate with Business Lines, Client Account Managers, and marketing leadership.

• Successful experience leading complex, multi-discipline and/or multi-geography proposals valued over $20 million.

• Strong understanding of proposal and presentation best practices, including key messages, themes, differentiators, and responses aligned with evaluation criteria.

• Experience implementing industry best practices in positioning, client engagement, and business development processes.

• Excellent writing and editing skills, with a strong grasp of grammar, tone, and style.

• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign, Illustrator, Acrobat, and Photoshop.

• Advanced skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Teams and SharePoint.

• Ability to independently manage multiple priorities with strong follow-through and attention to detail.

• Strong interpersonal, communication, diplomacy, problem-solving, and teamwork abilities.

• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.

• APMP and/or SMPS certification is preferred.

• Familiarity with CRM systems; experience with Salesforce is preferred.

• U.S. Citizenship is required.

• No sponsorship will be provided for U.S. work authorization now or in the future.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability benefits.

• Paid time off.

• Leaves of absence.

• Voluntary benefits and perks.

• Flexible work options.

• Well-being resources.

• Employee assistance program.

• Business travel insurance.

• Service recognition awards.

• Retirement savings plan.

• Employee stock purchase plan.

• Relocation assistance and/or per diem is not offered.

• Award-winning training and development programs.

• In-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office.