Contract Proposal Manager Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Why T.W. Frierson?Employee Ownership: As part of our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), you're not just working for a company - you're investing in your future. Our collaborative culture rewards long-term vision, team success, and shared achievements.People-First Culture: Join a team that values respect, mentorship, and accountability at every level.Meaningful Work: Lead diverse, impactful projects that shape communities, industries, and lives.About the roleThe Proposal Manager leads the planning, development, and execution of strategic pursuits from opportunity qualification through contract award. This role serves as the central coordinator for all proposal and interview activities, partnering closely with Business Development, Operations, Preconstruction, and Executive Leadership to position the company to win targeted work.The Proposal Manager is responsible for developing compelling, client-focused proposals, facilitating pursuit strategy, managing proposal schedules and deliverables, and ensuring consistent messaging throughout the pursuit lifecycle. This individual also maintains pursuit-related content and CRM data, analyzes pursuit outcomes, and continuously improves proposal processes and best practices.The ideal candidate is an exceptional writer, organizer, and strategic thinker who thrives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.What you'll doPursuit Leadership & StrategyManage the complete pursuit lifecycle from opportunity identification through proposal submission, interview, award, and debrief.Lead pursuit kickoff meetings and establish schedules, responsibilities, milestones, and deadlines.Collaborate with Business Development, Preconstruction, and Operations to develop pursuit strategies, win themes, differentiators, and key messaging.Participate in client and competitor research to identify strategic positioning opportunities.Coordinate SWOT analyses and capture planning activities for major pursuits.Ensure pursuit strategies are consistently reflected throughout proposals, presentations, and interview materials.Coordinate post-submittal client touchpoints until project award as needed.Proposal DevelopmentLead development of RFQs, RFPs, qualifications packages, presentations, and interview materials.Develop proposal outlines, compliance matrices, schedules, and production timelines.Write, edit, and proofread proposal content to ensure clarity, consistency, accuracy, and compliance.Translate technical information into compelling client-focused messaging.Coordinate contributions from technical staff while maintaining a consistent voice throughout proposal documents.Ensure all deliverables meet quality standards and submission requirements.Manage final production, assembly, and electronic or printed delivery of proposal materials.Interview & Presentation CoordinationCoordinate interview preparation sessions and rehearsal schedules.Assist pursuit teams in developing presentation flow, messaging, graphics, and speaking assignments.Ensure interview materials reinforce established win themes and client priorities.Facilitate lessons learned following interviews and major pursuits.Pursuit Content ManagementMaintain and continuously improve the firm's proposal content library.Maintain current project descriptions, case studies, employee resumes, project statistics, project photography, and company information.Develop new content as projects are completed and personnel experience evolves.Ensure all content reflects current branding, capabilities, and strategic messaging.Recommend improvements to proposal templates, graphics, and standard content.Cross-Functional CollaborationPartner with Business Development to understand client needs and relationship strategies.Collaborate with Operations and Preconstruction to identify the most qualified project teams.Coordinate with subject matter experts to obtain technical information and project-specific content.Support development of executive summaries, project approaches, and client-specific messaging.Serve as a trusted advisor throughout the pursuit process while keeping teams aligned and on schedule.Requirements:Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, English, Journalism, Business, Construction Management, or related field.5-8+ years of proposal management or marketing experience within the Architecture, Engineering, or Construction (AEC) industry.Demonstrated success managing complex proposal efforts and interviews.Experience coordinating multidisciplinary pursuit teams.Experience working within CRM platforms.Familiarity with Design-Build, CMAR, General Contracting, and negotiated procurement processes preferred.Knowledge, Skills & AbilitiesExceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills.Strong project management and organizational abilities.Excellent facilitation and meeting management skills.Ability to manage multiple concurrent pursuits with competing deadlines.Strategic thinker with strong attention to detail.Ability to interpret technical construction information and communicate client value.Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence without direct authority.Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.Advanced proficiency in graphic design software.Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across departments.Success MeasuresSuccess in this role will be measured by:High-quality, compliant proposal submissions.Timely completion of pursuit deliverables.Accurate and current pursuit information within HubSpot.Well-maintained proposal content library.Effective facilitation of pursuit strategy sessions.Positive feedback from internal pursuit teams.Continuous improvement of pursuit processes and proposal quality.T.W. Frierson Contractor, Inc. is committed to providing equal opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment under the requirements of all federal, state and local laws. It is the Company's policy to recruit, hire, train, compensate and promote all its employees and to administer all other personnel policies without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, age (40 and over), national origin, pregnancy, handicap or disability, personal genetic information, veterans' status, or any other status or category protected by federal, state and local laws.