The Sr. RFP and Proposal Manager is responsible for leading the development of high-quality, strategic responses to Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Requests for Information (RFIs), and other formal solicitations that support Workforce Edge's growth. This role contributes directly to improving win rates by strengthening deal positioning, shaping proposal narratives, and aligning responses to client priorities and competitive dynamics.
The role also supports early identification of upcoming opportunities by monitoring market activity and partnering with Sales to engage proactively when possible, helping position Workforce Edge more effectively ahead of formal procurement.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Proposal Strategy & Strategic Alignment
- Lead the development of strategic, high-quality RFP/RFI responses from intake through submission, ensuring alignment to client needs and evaluation criteria
- Define and embed win themes, key messaging, and competitive positioning into each proposal in partnership with Sales to strengthen Workforce Edge's differentiation in priority opportunities
- Guide contributors and SMEs to deliver clear, relevant, and compelling content, elevating overall response quality
- Serve as a strategic partner to Sales, Marketing, Product, and Client Services to ensure consistent positioning across all materials
- Partner with the Project Manager to ensure strategic priorities are reflected in execution while maintaining focus on content quality and deal alignment
- Capture insights from proposals to inform ongoing improvements in messaging, positioning, and future deal strategy
Strategic Opportunity Support
- Partner with Sales to identify and track upcoming RFPs and strategic opportunities across target markets, leveraging client relationships, partner channels, and industry networks
- Monitor industry signals, procurement activity, and competitive trends to surface insights that inform earlier engagement
Scalability & Continuous Improvement
- Track proposal outcomes and develop insights to improve future responses
- Identify opportunities to strengthen:
- Messaging and positioning
- Content reuse and efficiency
- Overall proposal effectiveness
- Leverage tools and emerging technologies, including AI where appropriate, to enhance content development and knowledge management
Job Skills:
- Strong proposal management and project coordination skills
- Ability to translate complex solutions into clear, compelling written content
- Understanding of sales processes and competitive positioning
- Strong attention to detail with the ability to ensure accuracy and completeness
- Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines
- Effective cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management
- Familiarity with proposal tools and content management systems
- Comfort leveraging tools and technology to improve efficiency and scalability
Work Experience:
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in RFP/proposal management or a related field (workforce education, benefits brokerage, talent acquisition, SaaS, or healthcare highly preferred)
- Experience managing end-to-end proposal processes in a cross-functional environment
- Exposure to or experience supporting deal strategy, sales processes, or early-stage opportunity engagement preferred
- Experience building or improving proposal processes, tools, or content libraries
Education:
- Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred. Equivalent experience will also be considered in lieu of formal education.
Certificates, licenses and registrations:
- Relevant certifications in proposal management or project management are a plus but not required.
Other:
- Must be able to travel occasionally should a business need arise. For most roles travel would not be common. Travel may involve planes, car or metro. In accordance with ADA policies, reasonable accommodations regarding travel limitations can be provided. Travel will be more common for roles such as Account Executives (25 - 50%), senior leaders (10 - 20%) or Capella Core Faculty (5 - 10%).
- Ability to work onsite in Corporate or Campus location (in a typical office environment) may be required based on role. If so, this would include being mobile within the office, including movement from floor-to-floor using elevators or stairs.
- If offsite or hybrid role, must have access to work in setting which enables meeting all requirements of the role (including privacy, reliable internet access, phone, ability to video conference, etc.) at a remote location.
- Faculty and Federal Work Study roles require access to work in setting which enables meeting all requirements of the role (including computer, privacy, reliable internet access, phone, ability to video conference, etc.) at a remote location.
- This role may require lifting, however reasonable accommodations will be provided in accordance with our ADA policies.
- Must be able to meet critical thinking and problem solving aspects aligned to job duties, as well as effectively communicating with co-workers.
- Must be able to work more than 40 hours per week when business needs warrant. Accommodations related to schedule may be considered.
- Able to access information using a computer.
- Other essential functions and marginal job functions are subject to modification.
#LI-RM1
SEI offers a comprehensive package of benefits to employees scheduled 30 hours or more per week. In addition to medical, dental, vision, life and disability plans, SEI employees may take advantage of well-being incentives, parental leave, paid time off, certain paid holidays, tax saving accounts (FSA, HSA), 401(k) retirement benefit, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, tuition assistance as well as entertainment and retail discounts. Non-exempt employees are eligible for overtime pay, if applicable.
Careers - Our Benefits, Strategic Education, Inc
SEI is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative culture where individuals can grow their careers and contribute fully. We strive to attract talent with broad experiences, skills and perspectives. We welcome applications from all. While it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top end of the pay range at SEI, we offer a competitive salary. The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate may vary depending on multiple factors including, but not limited to, job-related knowledge/skills, experience, business needs, geographical location, and internal pay equity. Our Talent Acquisition Team is ready to discuss your interest in joining SEI. The expected salary range for this position is below.
$95,100.00 - $142,600.00 - Salary
If you require reasonable accommodations to complete our application process, please contact our Human Resources Department at Careers@strategiced.com.
