Research Proposal Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job description
We are seeking an experienced Proposal Manager to lead and manage federal proposal efforts in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment. This role is ideal for a strategic, hands-on proposal professional who thrives under tight deadlines, enjoys building scalable processes, and can independently manage multiple proposal efforts from capture through submission.
Essential Job Functions:
The Proposal Manager is responsible for leading the development of compliant, compelling, and competitive federal proposals while supporting the full business development lifecycle. This position manages multiple Requests for Proposal (RFPs), Requests for Information (RFIs), Sources Sought notices, and task order responses, often under accelerated timelines.
Working remotely with significant autonomy, the Proposal Manager will collaborate closely with executive leadership, business development, capture managers, technical subject matter experts (SMEs), recruiters, and teaming partners to deliver high-quality proposals that support company growth.
Lead the end-to-end development of federal proposals from opportunity qualification through final submission.
Analyze solicitation documents, including RFPs, RFIs, RFQs, Sources Sought notices, and task orders, to identify customer requirements and proposal strategies.
Develop proposal schedules, compliance matrices, outlines, writing assignments, and production timelines.
Manage multiple concurrent proposals while ensuring quality, compliance, and on-time delivery.
Coordinate proposal kickoff meetings, solutioning sessions, color team reviews, and final production activities.
Implement and maintain version control, document management, and proposal configuration processes.
Ensure all proposals comply with solicitation requirements, company standards, and federal procurement regulations.
Write, edit, and refine compelling proposal content, including:
• Executive Summaries
• Technical Approach
• Management Plans
• Staffing Plans
• Transition Plans
• Past Performance
• Corporate Experience
• Quality Assurance
• Resumes and Key Personnel narratives
Translate complex technical information into clear, customer-focused, persuasive content.
Review proposal sections for consistency, accuracy, compliance, grammar, and readability.
Maintain and continuously improve proposal templates, reusable content libraries, resumes, boilerplate language, and past performance databases.
Support capture planning by contributing to:
• Win strategies
• Competitive assessments
• Customer research
• Solution development
• Discriminators and messaging
Participate in pipeline reviews, bid/no-bid decisions, teaming discussions, and opportunity planning.
Collaborate with Business Development to improve opportunity qualification and proposal readiness.
Develop and implement repeatable proposal management processes, templates, workflows, and best practices.
Improve proposal efficiency, consistency, compliance, and overall quality.
Help establish a proposal-centered culture by educating internal stakeholders on proposal planning, schedules, roles, and responsibilities.
Recommend and implement tools and technologies that improve proposal development and collaboration.
Coordinate effectively with executive leadership, business development, recruiters, technical SMEs, subcontractors, and teaming partners.
Track proposal progress and proactively communicate risks, issues, and resource needs.
Build collaborative relationships that improve proposal responsiveness and solution quality.
Support continuous communication throughout the proposal lifecycle to ensure successful execution.
Required Skills:
Bachelor's degree in business, Communications, English, Marketing, Journalism, or a related field.
Minimum 5 years of experience managing and writing federal government proposals.
Experience supporting small business federal contractors is strongly preferred.
Demonstrated success managing multiple simultaneous proposal efforts with minimal supervision.
Exceptional writing, editing, proofreading, and storytelling skills.
Ability to synthesize complex technical information into compelling, customer-focused proposal content.
Experience responding to rapid-turnaround task orders, IDIQ contracts, GWACs, and multiple-award contract vehicles.
Working knowledge of Shipley Associates or similar proposal development methodologies (certification preferred).
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and collaborative document management platforms.
Ability to work independently in a fully remote environment while managing competing priorities and deadlines.
Desired Skills:
Experience supporting capture management and business development activities within a growing federal contractor.
Experience establishing proposal processes, governance, and organizational best practices.
Working knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), and the federal procurement lifecycle.
Experience with proposal graphics, desktop publishing, or visualization tools such as Microsoft Visio, Adobe Creative Suite, or PowerPoint.
Experience supporting Department of Defense (DoD), Intelligence Community (IC), or civilian federal agencies.