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Proposal Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

SuperbTech

Infrastructure Proposal Manager

Pasadena, CA · Remote

$48.51 - $61.75/hr

Infrastructure Proposal Manager (Remote) Location: Remote, United States Job Type: Contract, Part-Time, On-Call (As Needed) Pay Rate: $48.51 to $61.75 per hour Start Date: ASAP Duration:

General Atomics

Proposal Manager IV

Poway, CA · On-site

$125K - $229K/yr

The Proposals Manager leads proposal efforts to ensure Request for Proposal (RFP) specifications and company standards are met, and manages a staff of proposal managers, proposal specialists, and ...

HDR

Water Proposal Manager

Irvine, CA · On-site

As a Proposal Manager, you'll sit at the center of some of our most important pursuits and work with our talented technical teams to turn complex ideas into compelling, clientfocused stories that win ...

HDR

Water Proposal Manager

Irvine, CA · On-site

As a Proposal Manager, you'll sit at the center of some of our most important pursuits and work with our talented technical teams to turn complex ideas into compelling, clientfocused stories that win ...

HDR

Water Proposal Manager

Irvine, CA · On-site

As a Proposal Manager, you'll sit at the center of some of our most important pursuits and work with our talented technical teams to turn complex ideas into compelling, client-focused stories that ...

Davis Impact

Senior Proposal Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$120 - $180/hr

Senior Proposal Manager Job Location: San Francisco, CA /Remote/Hybrid Reports to: EVP of Growth and Marketing Who We Are D&A Communications is a San Francisco-based, equity-first agency with over 30 ...

New

Shield AI

Senior Proposal Manager (R5381)

San Diego, CA · On-site

$86K - $128K/yr

In addition to managing proposals, the BD Ops team is looking for this candidate to have strong understanding of AI and robotics technology and software products. In this capacity the proposal ...

STV

Marketing Proposal Manager

San Francisco, CA · Hybrid

STV is seeking a Marketing Proposal Manager to join our Buildings group . This position is designated as hybrid (3 days week/in office) and can be in our Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Roseville, CA ...

Shield AI

Senior Proposal Manager (R5381)

San Diego, CA · On-site

$86K - $128K/yr

In addition to managing proposals, the BD Ops team is looking for this candidate to have strong understanding of AI and robotics technology and software products. In this capacity the proposal ...

STV

Marketing Proposal Manager

Los Angeles, CA · Hybrid

STV is seeking a Marketing Proposal Manager to join our Buildings group . This position is designated as hybrid (3 days week/in office) and can be in our Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Roseville, CA ...

STV

Marketing Proposal Manager

San Diego, CA · Hybrid

STV is seeking a Marketing Proposal Manager to join our Buildings group . This position is designated as hybrid (3 days week/in office) and can be in our Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Roseville, CA ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsProposal JobsProposal Manager JobsProposal Manager Jobs in California

Proposal Manager information

See California salary details

$30.1K

$98.2K

$141.1K

How much do proposal manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for proposal manager in California is $98,188.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,400.00 and $116,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Proposal Manager vs Proposal Coordinator?

AspectProposal ManagerProposal Coordinator
ResponsibilitiesOversees entire proposal process, manages teams, develops strategiesSupports proposal preparation, coordinates document collection, assists with editing
Required SkillsProject management, leadership, proposal developmentOrganizational skills, communication, document management
Work EnvironmentLeads proposal teams, interacts with executivesSupports proposal teams, collaborates with proposal managers
CertificationsOften requires PMP or industry-specific certificationsLess likely to require certifications, more administrative

The Proposal Manager typically leads the entire proposal process, focusing on strategy and team management, while the Proposal Coordinator provides essential support in document preparation and coordination. Both roles are vital in the proposal development cycle, with Proposal Managers holding more responsibility for overall success.

What are some common challenges proposal managers face when coordinating cross-functional teams during the proposal process?

Proposal Managers often encounter challenges such as aligning schedules and priorities across diverse departments, ensuring timely contributions from subject matter experts, and maintaining consistent messaging throughout the proposal. Effective communication and strong organizational skills are essential for navigating these hurdles. Additionally, Proposal Managers must be adept at managing tight deadlines and last-minute changes, all while fostering collaboration and keeping the team motivated.

Is a proposal manager a stressful job?

A proposal manager's role involves coordinating and preparing bids and proposals, which can be stressful during tight deadlines and high-stakes projects. The job requires strong organizational skills and attention to detail, and workload fluctuations can contribute to stress levels.

What is a proposal manager?

A Proposal Manager is a professional responsible for overseeing the creation, development, and submission of business proposals, often in response to requests for proposals (RFPs) from clients or government agencies. They coordinate teams, manage timelines, ensure compliance with requirements, and assemble all necessary documentation to create compelling and competitive proposals. Their goal is to increase the organization’s chances of winning contracts by delivering clear, persuasive, and compliant proposals. Proposal Managers work closely with sales, technical experts, and other stakeholders throughout the proposal process.

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

To thrive as a Proposal Manager, you need strong project management abilities, excellent writing and editing skills, and a background in business development or related fields, often supported by a bachelor's degree. Familiarity with proposal management software (such as RFPIO or Qvidian), CRM systems, and knowledge of RFP processes are typically required. Outstanding attention to detail, collaboration, and time management help Proposal Managers excel under tight deadlines and coordinate input from various stakeholders. These skills ensure that proposals are compliant, compelling, and delivered on time, increasing win rates and supporting business growth.

What does a proposal manager do?

As a proposal manager, your primary responsibilities involve preparing company proposals and working to ensure you meet goals on time. Your duties require you to collaborate with marketing, operations, business development, and other departments to review information and assess the most efficient and effective plan. You write a draft, prepare a presentation, and bring your recommendations to clients. You manage the request for proposal (RFP) from start to finish and assist along the way. You maintain the resource materials, check that you are following proper procedures and standards, and communicate with outside vendors as needed.

More about Proposal Manager jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Proposal jobs in California? The most popular types of Proposal jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Proposal Manager jobs in California? For Proposal Manager jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Proposal Manager jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Proposal Manager jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Proposal Manager jobs? Cities in California with the most Proposal Manager job openings:
Proposal Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Proposal Manager job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 80% In-person, 3% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,188 per year, or $47.2 per hour.

Infrastructure Proposal Manager

SuperbTech

Pasadena, CA • Remote

$48.51 - $61.75/hr

Contractor

Re-posted 2 days ago

Job description

Infrastructure Proposal Manager (Remote)
Location: Remote, United States
Job Type: Contract, Part-Time, On-Call (As Needed)
Pay Rate: $48.51 to $61.75 per hour
Start Date: ASAP
Duration: Approximately 6 months with potential for extension
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, hours vary based on business needs
 
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced Proposal Manager to provide on-call support during periods of increased proposal activity. This role is ideal for a seasoned proposal professional with a strong background managing complex, non-federal infrastructure pursuits within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry.

The ideal candidate has recent experience leading full-cycle proposals for transportation, water, wastewater, municipal, and infrastructure projects, and is comfortable managing multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment. This position requires a highly organized leader who can independently drive proposal strategy, coordinate cross-functional teams, and produce compelling, compliant proposal submissions.
 
Key Responsibilities
  • Lead and manage the complete proposal lifecycle from kickoff through final submission.
  • Analyze RFPs, RFQs, and RFIs to develop proposal strategies, compliance matrices, schedules, and annotated outlines.
  • Coordinate multidisciplinary pursuit teams, including technical subject matter experts, business development professionals, and graphics teams.
  • Facilitate kickoff meetings, proposal reviews, and milestone meetings.
  • Develop proposal schedules and ensure all deliverables are completed accurately and on time.
  • Write and edit executive summaries, cover letters, management plans, resumes, project descriptions, qualifications, and other non-technical proposal content.
  • Review proposal documents for compliance, quality, consistency, and responsiveness.
  • Coordinate design-build pursuits, including subcontractor coordination and review management.
  • Support interview and oral presentation preparation, including presentation materials and coaching.
  • Contribute to proposal process improvements and best practices.
  • Collaborate with business development teams to develop marketing collateral and pursuit materials.

Required Qualifications

  • Approximately 12 or more years of progressive proposal management experience within the AEC industry.
  • Recent experience independently leading complex, non-federal infrastructure proposals.
  • Strong understanding of the Shipley Proposal Process or similar structured proposal methodology.
  • Experience managing Design-Build pursuits.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
  • Strong leadership, facilitation, organization, and project management abilities.
  • Ability to manage multiple concurrent pursuits under aggressive deadlines.
  • Advanced proficiency with: 
    • Adobe InDesign (required)
    • Adobe Acrobat Pro
    • Adobe Illustrator
    • Microsoft Word
    • Microsoft Excel
    • Microsoft PowerPoint
Adobe InDesign Requirement (Required)
Candidates must be advanced users of Adobe InDesign and able to work independently with minimal graphic design support. This includes:
  • Working confidently with master pages.
  • Managing paragraph and character styles.
  • Flowing text and graphics into existing templates.
  • Updating and reflowing proposal content efficiently.
  • Producing polished proposal documents with minimal supervision.
 
Preferred Experience
Experience supporting pursuits involving one or more of the following is highly desirable:
  • Transportation
  • Transit
  • Water and Wastewater
  • Municipal Infrastructure
  • State Departments of Transportation
  • Public Agencies
  • Heavy Civil Infrastructure
  • Program Management
  • Large Design-Build projects
Experience supporting agencies across multiple states is considered a strong advantage.
 
Preferred Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Professional certifications such as: 
    • APMP (Association of Proposal Management Professionals)
    • Shipley Proposal Certification
    • PMP (Project Management Professional)
  • Experience facilitating proposal strategy workshops and review sessions.
  • Experience managing large-scale infrastructure pursuits valued at hundreds of millions of dollars.
 
What We're Looking For
The successful candidate is a strategic proposal leader who thrives in deadline-driven environments, can quickly integrate into active pursuits, and is capable of producing high-quality proposals with minimal direction. This role requires excellent collaboration skills, sound judgment, and the ability to lead cross-functional teams while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
 
Education:Employment Type: CONTRACTOR

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