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Director Proposal Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

C3EL

Proposal Manager

Tampa, FL · On-site

... development efforts across DoD and Federal Civilian opportunities within a fast-paced small business environment. This hands-on role includes proposal management, direct proposal writing, cross ...

Versar, Inc.

Director, Proposals

Washington, DC · On-site

$171K - $209K/yr

Proposal Management and Development * Develop and implement the company's proposal processes and ... Direct day-to-day the proposal team, including proposal managers, writers, editors, graphic ...

Sparibis

Proposal Manager

Alexandria, VA · On-site

Plan, organize, and direct all aspects of the proposal development lifecycle from opportunity assessment through final submission. * Lead proposal kickoff meetings, establish proposal schedules and ...

Sparibis

Proposal Manager

Alexandria, VA

Plan, organize, and direct all aspects of the proposal development lifecycle from opportunity assessment through final submission. * Lead proposal kickoff meetings, establish proposal schedules and ...

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Director Proposal Development information

See salary details

$50.5K

$92.3K

$128.5K

How much do director proposal development jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for director proposal development in the United States is $92,290.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,000.00 and $111,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director of Proposal Development, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Proposal Development, you need expertise in proposal management, strategic planning, and persuasive writing, often supported by a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business, communications, or a related field. Familiarity with proposal automation tools (like RFPIO or Loopio), CRM systems, and certifications such as APMP are commonly required. Strong leadership, attention to detail, and exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills set top performers apart in this role. These competencies are crucial for leading teams, producing compelling proposals, and securing business opportunities in competitive environments.

What does a Director of Proposal Development do?

A Director of Proposal Development oversees the creation, management, and submission of proposals, typically for business development or government contracts. They lead a team of proposal managers and writers, coordinate with subject matter experts, and ensure proposals meet requirements and deadlines. Their role involves strategic planning, quality control, and often working closely with sales and executive leadership to align proposal efforts with organizational goals. Success in this role requires strong leadership, project management, and communication skills.

How does a Director of Proposal Development typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during the proposal process?

A Director of Proposal Development regularly works with subject matter experts, sales teams, project managers, and executives to gather the necessary information and create compelling, compliant proposals. This role involves coordinating input from various departments, leading meetings to align on strategy, and ensuring deadlines are met. Effective communication and project management skills are essential, as the director must balance multiple priorities while ensuring consistency and quality in every submission. Building strong relationships across departments is key to streamlining the proposal process and improving win rates.

What is the difference between Director Proposal Development vs Proposal Manager?

AspectDirector Proposal DevelopmentProposal Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees proposal strategy, manages teams, and ensures alignment with organizational goalsCoordinates proposal efforts, manages proposal timelines, and ensures compliance with RFP requirements
Required CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor’s degree, extensive proposal experience, and leadership skillsUsually requires a bachelor’s degree and experience in proposal coordination
Work EnvironmentStrategic, leadership-focused, often in corporate or government sectorsOperational, detail-oriented, often in government contracting or consulting firms

The main difference is that the Director Proposal Development focuses on strategic leadership and overseeing proposal teams, while the Proposal Manager handles day-to-day proposal coordination and compliance. Both roles require strong proposal experience, but the director role involves higher-level planning and management responsibilities.

More about Director Proposal Development jobs
What cities are hiring for Director Proposal Development jobs? Cities with the most Director Proposal Development job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Proposal Development jobs? The most popular types of Proposal Development jobs are:
What states have the most Director Proposal Development jobs? States with the most job openings for Director Proposal Development jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Director Proposal Development jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Director Proposal Development jobs are:
Director Proposal Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Proposal Development job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, and 11% Part Time. Highlights an 78% In-person, 11% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,290 per year, or $44.4 per hour.
Proposal Manager

Proposal Manager

C3EL

Tampa, FL • On-site

Other

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

Overview:

Job Title: Proposal Manager

Security Clearance: Secret or Higher (Preferred)

Location: Tampa, FL

(Due to the nature of the work and contract requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required.)

Description:

The Proposal Manager at C3EL leads and supports proposal development efforts across DoD and Federal Civilian opportunities within a fast-paced small business environment. This hands-on role includes proposal management, direct proposal writing, cross-functional coordination, and continuous improvement of proposal processes, templates, and reusable content. The position works closely with executive leadership, capture personnel, technical SMEs, recruiting, contracts, and pricing teams to develop compliant, compelling, and customer-focused proposals supporting mission-critical programs.

Responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:

  • Lead development and submission of RFPs, RFQs, and RFIs.
  • Serve as a lead writer and editor for technical, management, staffing, transition, and past performance proposal volumes.
  • Analyze solicitation requirements, Sections L & M, and PWS/SOW/SOO documentation to ensure proposal compliance and alignment.
  • Develop and manage proposal schedules, compliance matrices, annotated outlines, kickoff materials, and review activities.
  • Coordinate with technical SMEs, Program Managers, pricing, recruiting, contracts, and executive leadership throughout proposal efforts.
  • Perform editing, recovery writing, and refinement of SME-generated content to improve proposal quality and clarity.
  • Identify proposal strengths, discriminators, and win themes aligned to customer priorities.
  • Support continuous improvement of proposal processes, templates, reusable content, and AI-assisted workflows.
  • Effectively communicate proposal status, risks, and recommendations throughout the proposal lifecycle.
  • Operate successfully within a fast-paced, deadline-driven, collaborative proposal environment. 
Required Qualifications:
  • U.S. Citizenship.
  • Minimum 5 years of Federal Government proposal writing experience supporting DoD and/or Federal Civilian agencies.
  • Minimum 2 years of proposal management experience supporting competitive Federal proposals. Proposal management and proposal writing experience may be concurrent.
  • Demonstrated experience developing compliant Federal proposals, including technical and management volumes.
  • Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying solicitation requirements including Sections L & M, PWS/SOW/SOO requirements, evaluation criteria, and compliance requirements.
  • Experience utilizing AI-enabled tools to support proposal development, research, drafting, editing, and content refinement activities.
  • Experience supporting collaborative proposal environments involving technical SMEs, operations leadership, pricing, and executive stakeholders.
  • Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
  • Strong persuasive writing, editing, organizational, and time management skills.
  • Ability to operate independently and manage multiple proposal priorities simultaneously.
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Active security clearance or ability to obtain one.
  • Experience supporting Enterprise IT, Cybersecurity, Engineering, Communications, AV/VTC, and/or C5ISR-related Federal programs.
  • Experience supporting proposals within small business or growth-oriented GovCon environments.
  • Familiarity with Shipley-based proposal development methodologies. Shipley Associates Proposal Management Certification and/or Shipley Capture Management Training preferred.
  • Experience establishing or improving proposal operations processes within a growing organization.
  • Experience managing proposal content repositories, templates, and proposal knowledge management practices.
Education:
  •  Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution OR equivalent directly relevant professional experience.

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