Proposal Manager Defense Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Proposal Manager

Job Description

An experienced Proposal Manager is needed to lead and coordinate complex competitive proposal efforts in support of government and defense-related programs. The role involves overseeing the entire proposal lifecycle—from pre-RFP planning through final submission—ensuring all proposals are compliant, compelling, and aligned with customer requirements and business objectives. This position requires collaboration with various internal teams to deliver successful proposals.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and submission of competitive proposals in accordance with established capture and proposal management processes.
• Ensure all proposals are compliant, responsive, professional, and aligned with customer requirements and solicitation instructions.
• Manage the full proposal lifecycle, including planning, strategy development, content creation, reviews, production, and submission.
• Oversee multiple concurrent proposal efforts while maintaining schedule, quality, and budget objectives.
• Coordinate activities across proposal teams, technical writers, subject matter experts, solution architects, pricing personnel, contracts teams, and support staff.
• Partner with Capture Managers and Business Development teams during pre-RFP and pursuit activities.
• Develop and maintain proposal development plans, schedules, compliance matrices, writing assignments, outlines, and volume structures.
• Organize proposal teams by defining roles, responsibilities, resource requirements, and support needs.
• Coordinate support from functional organizations to ensure successful proposal execution.
• Manage Proposal Specialists, Graphics Artists, and other proposal support personnel.
• Coordinate RFP reviews and customer questions and clarification requests through Contracts.
• Conduct proposal kickoff meetings, daily status reviews, and action-item tracking.
• Translate capture strategies into proposal win themes, discriminators, messaging, and storyboards.
• Collaborate with Capture Managers, Program Managers, and Technical Leads to establish proposal themes and solution narratives.
• Lead proposal review cycles, including competitive assessments and formal proposal reviews.
• Ensure proposal content remains aligned with customer requirements and overall pursuit strategy.
• Manage proposal preparation schedules, staffing, budgets, and review milestones.
• Coordinate proposal writing, graphics development, and production activities.
• Monitor proposal activities to ensure adherence to established quality and process standards.
• Provide leadership with regular proposal status updates, risk assessments, and execution metrics.
• Support executive review activities throughout the capture and proposal process.
• Coordinate technical, engineering, pricing, and leadership approvals.
• Ensure pricing is aligned with established internal review processes and submission schedules.
• Facilitate management reviews and approvals prior to proposal submission.
• Manage final proposal production, publishing, packaging, and customer submission.
• Ensure successful and documented proposal delivery.
• Coordinate proposal clarification responses and Best and Final Offer (BAFO) submissions when required.
• Maintain proposal libraries, reusable content repositories, templates, and graphics databases.

Essential Skills

• 10+ years of relevant experience in project and proposal management lifecycles and Government Procurement/Capture/Proposal Management.
• Defense industry experience required.
• Subject matter expertise in marketing or engineering or related discipline.
• Master's degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Familiarity with formal project management methodologies such as PMI, Six Sigma, or CMMI.
• Experience leading strategic captures and large-scale competitive proposal efforts.
• Demonstrated history of successful proposal submissions and contract wins.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Project management best practices from sources such as Project Management Institute, Six Sigma, and the Capability Maturity Model.
• Ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Work Environment

The position is based in Melbourne, FL, with on-site work required on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The role follows a 9/80 schedule.

This is a Permanent position based out of Melbourne, FL.

The pay range for this position is $160000.00 - $180000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Benefits Highlights: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage; 401(k) with company match; HSA company contributions; paid parental leave; tuition reimbursement; student loan repayment assistance; flexible 9/80 schedule with every other Friday off; generous PTO and holidays; wellness programs; life and disability insurance; and ongoing career development opportunities. For Melbourne-area candidates, the 9/80 schedule, every-other-Friday off, 401(k) match, parental leave, and tuition reimbursement tend to be some of the most attractive selling points when compared to other defense contractors in the region.

This is a hybrid position in Melbourne,FL.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 2, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.