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Proposal Development Specialist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Proposal Development Specialist leads and supports the strategic development of moderate to complex, high-value Request for Proposals (RFPs) for both new and existing distribution customers. This ...

The Proposal Development Specialist leads and supports the strategic development of moderate to complex, high-value Request for Proposals (RFPs) for both new and existing distribution customers. This ...

Leads, supervises and reviews work of Proposal Development Specialists. * Facilitates meetings with senior Sales, Strategy, and Finance management to formulate proforma analyses of large, complex ...

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Proposal Development Specialist information

See salary details

$36K

$71.3K

$104.5K

How much do proposal development specialist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for proposal development specialist in the United States is $71,250.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,000.00 and $80,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a proposal development specialist, and why are they important?

To succeed as a Proposal Development Specialist, you need strong writing, editing, and project management skills, often supported by a bachelor’s degree in communications, English, or a related field. Familiarity with proposal management software (such as RFPIO or Qvidian), Microsoft Office Suite, and knowledge of RFP/RFI processes are typically required. Attention to detail, collaboration, and effective communication are essential soft skills for managing deadlines and coordinating with multiple stakeholders. These abilities are crucial for producing compelling, compliant proposals that enhance an organization’s chances of winning new business.

How does a proposal development specialist typically collaborate with subject matter experts during the proposal process?

As a Proposal Development Specialist, collaboration with subject matter experts (SMEs) is a key part of the role. You'll often coordinate meetings, gather technical input, and translate complex information from SMEs into clear, compelling content that aligns with the client's requirements. Effective communication skills are essential, as you'll need to clarify expectations, manage timelines, and ensure all contributions are integrated into a cohesive proposal. Building strong, professional relationships with SMEs helps streamline the review process and improves the overall quality of the final submission.

What is the difference between Proposal Development Specialist vs Proposal Coordinator?

AspectProposal Development SpecialistProposal Coordinator
Primary RoleDevelops and writes detailed proposals, manages proposal content, and ensures compliance with RFP requirements.Coordinates proposal activities, manages schedules, and facilitates communication among team members.
Required SkillsStrong writing, research, and proposal development skills; familiarity with industry standards.Organizational, communication, and project management skills.
Work EnvironmentTypically works in proposal teams within government or corporate sectors.Supports proposal teams, often in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments.

While both roles support proposal efforts, the Proposal Development Specialist focuses on creating and writing proposals, whereas the Proposal Coordinator manages the process and logistics. Both positions are essential in winning bids and often collaborate closely.

What does a proposal development specialist do?

A Proposal Development Specialist is responsible for managing and coordinating the creation of proposals, typically in response to requests for proposals (RFPs) from clients or funding agencies. They gather information from various stakeholders, write and edit proposal content, ensure compliance with requirements, and help develop strategies to make proposals competitive. Their goal is to produce clear, compelling documents that increase the chances of winning new business or securing funding. They often work closely with subject matter experts, project managers, and business development teams.
More about Proposal Development Specialist jobs
Who are the top companies hiring for Proposal Development Specialist jobs? The top employers for Proposal Development Specialist jobs are:
What states have the most Proposal Development Specialist jobs? States with the most job openings for Proposal Development Specialist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Proposal Development Specialist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Proposal Development Specialist jobs are:
Infographic showing various Proposal Development Specialist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $71,250 per year, or $34.3 per hour.

Proposal Development Specialist

McKesson

Irving, TX • On-site

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago


McKesson rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 209 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

47th of 86 rated pharmaceutical


Job description

McKesson is an impact-driven, Fortune 10 company that touches virtually every aspect of healthcare. We are known for delivering insights, products, and services that make quality care more accessible and affordable. Here, we focus on the health, happiness, and well-being of you and those we serve - we care.

What you do at McKesson matters. We foster a culture where you can grow, make an impact, and are empowered to bring new ideas. Together, we thrive as we shape the future of health for patients, our communities, and our people. If you want to be part of tomorrow's health today, we want to hear from you.

The Proposal Development Specialist leads and supports the strategic development of moderate to complex, high-value Request for Proposals (RFPs) for both new and existing distribution customers. This role spans all North America Pharmaceutical Services (NAPS) business segments across multiple business units. The specialist will serve as a key advisor to Sales and cross-functional teams, ensuring proposal responses are aligned with business objectives, customer expectations, and compliance standards.

The Proposal Development Specialist manages the completion and analysis of responses to Requests for Proposals (RFPs). The Proposal Development Specialist helps provide coverage across the following major areas of responsibility:

Key Responsibilities

  • Proposal Drafting & Content Development: Draft, develop, and assemble end-to-end proposal responses, integrating cross-functional input into a cohesive, compliant, and submission-ready package.

  • Lead Cross-Functional Proposal Response Teams: Direct and coordinate proposal response efforts involving Sales, subject matter experts, and stakeholders across McKesson business units and partners. Ensure timely, high-quality submissions that align with client requirements and organizational standards.

  • Provide Strategic Bid Consultation: Provide consultative expertise to Sales team and other stakeholders on bid objectives, response options, and risk considerations. Identify and escalate complex or non-standard requests to appropriate business partners to support informed decision-making.

  • Manage Proposal Projects End-to-End: Apply project management best practices to develop detailed response plans, engage cross-functional contributors, and proactively address timeline risks. Facilitate clear task assignments and internal deadlines to optimize collaboration with the Law Department and ensure timely delivery.

  • Drive Continuous Improvement: Identify and implement enhancements to proposal content, workflows, and response quality. Champion process efficiencies and contribute to the evolution of proposal development standards.

  • Proposal Content Improvement: Drive continuous improvement of RFP content and reporting metrics to ensure accuracy, accessibility, and the ongoing optimization of proposal assets.

Minimum Requirement

Degree or equivalent and typically requires 4+ years of relevant experience.

Education

4-year degree or equivalent experience, in business, legal or related field

Critical Skills

  • 3+ years of business experience with marketing, developing and/or managing comprehensive proposals in a corporate setting.

  • Leadership and Project Management: Exhibits proven leadership and project management skills, effectively guiding proposal development processes and teams, without the need for formal certification.

  • Communication Proficiency: Demonstrates strong written and verbal communication skills, with exceptional writing, editing, and document organization capabilities.

  • Confident Stakeholder Engagement and Influence: Communicates confidently in-person and on video meetings, effectively engaging with stakeholders to present proposal components, clearly and persuasively convey complex information, and build strong relationships while influencing outcomes and gaining commitment across all organizational levels.

  • Attention to Detail and Multitasking: Exhibits strong attention to detail and the ability to effectively multitask, managing concurrent projects and priorities.

  • Time Management: Utilizes strong time management skills to organize and prioritize work, aligning with organizational needs and deadlines.

  • Business and Legal Acumen: Capable of collecting business requirements, understanding intricate business and legal concepts, and translating them into thorough proposal responses.

  • Problem Analysis and Resolution: Identifies, analyzes, researches, and resolves legal and business process issues, using logical reasoning to explore alternative solutions and make informed recommendations.

  • Judgment and Discretion: Exercises discretion and judgment in discussing business and legal issues, engaging legal resources and applicable departments, and discerning when to seek senior leadership guidance.

  • Technical Proficiency: Demonstrates intermediate to expert level proficiency in Microsoft Office tools, enhancing productivity and communication.

Additional Knowledge & Skills

  • Experience in Related Fields: Experience with Contracts, Legal, and/or Sales Operations is advantageous, enhancing the ability to navigate complex organizational processes.

  • Content and Technical Writing: Familiarity with various marketing content and technical legal writing, contributing to effective documentation and communication.

  • Content Management Software: Experience with content management software such as Salesforce, Pramata, SharePoint, Highspot, etc., is beneficial for efficient information management.

This role is a hybrid position. The selected candidate is expected to work on-site at our Las Colinas office a minimum of two (2) days per week, with the remaining days worked remotely. Specific in-office days may be designated based on team needs and business priorities.

We are proud to offer a competitive compensation package at McKesson as part of our Total Rewards. This is determined by several factors, including performance, experience and skills, equity, regular job market evaluations, and geographical markets. The pay range shown below is aligned with McKesson's pay philosophy, and pay will always be compliant with any applicable regulations. In addition to base pay, other compensation, such as an annual bonus or long-term incentive opportunities may be offered. For more information regarding benefits at McKesson, pleaseclick here.

Our Base Pay Range for this position

$80,300 - $133,900

McKesson has become aware of online recruiting-related scams in which individuals who are not affiliated with or authorized by McKesson are using McKesson's (or affiliated entities, like CoverMyMeds or RxCrossroads) name in fraudulent emails, job postings or social media messages. In light of these scams, please bear the following in mind:
McKesson Talent Advisors will never solicit money or credit card information in connection with a McKesson job application.


McKesson Talent Advisors do not communicate with candidates via online chatrooms or using email accounts such as Gmail or Hotmail. Note that McKesson does rely on a virtual assistant (Gia) for certain recruiting-related communications with candidates.

McKesson job postings are posted on our career site: careers.mckesson.com.

McKesson is an Equal Opportunity Employer

McKesson provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, age, genetic information, or any other legally protected category. For additional information on McKesson's full Equal Employment Opportunity policies, visit our Equal Employment Opportunity page.

McKesson is committed to being an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and offers opportunities to all job seekers including job seekers with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, please contact us by sending an email to (United States) Disability_Accommodation@McKesson.com or (Canada) Accessibility@mckesson.ca. Resumes or CVs submitted to this email box will not be accepted.

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