Proposal Manager
Department: Business Development | Location: In Office – Smyrna, TN | Reports To: Chief Operating Officer
Employment Type: Full-Time | FLSA Status: Exempt
About the Role
Chitina Diversified Services is seeking a Proposal Manager to lead and support proposal development for federal contracting opportunities. This role manages responses to RFPs, RFQs, sources sought notices, market surveys, and related business development requests. The Proposal Manager will coordinate proposal strategy, schedules, compliance, writing, reviews, production, and submission while working closely with leadership, subsidiaries, subject matter experts, pricing, and subcontractor teams.
What You'll Do
- Monitor solicitation websites and identify new business opportunities for subsidiaries.
- Support opportunity qualification, capture strategy, and Bid/No-Bid recommendations.
- Lead proposal planning, including compliance matrices, outlines, schedules, templates, assignments, milestones, and deadlines.
- Analyze RFPs and amendments, interpret requirements, and guide proposal teams on deliverables, format, and compliance.
- Coordinate contributors, subject matter experts, pricing, subcontractors, and leadership to develop timely, compliant, and compelling responses.
- Write, edit, proofread, format, and improve proposal content for clarity, accuracy, persuasiveness, and consistency with style and solicitation requirements.
- Facilitate data calls, proposal meetings, color team reviews, approvals, production, delivery, and post-submission closeout.
- Support pipeline reports, board reports, marketing materials, sources sought responses, RFIs, and other business development writing needs.
What We're Looking For
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, Communications, Marketing, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
- Five or more years of experience supporting all phases of large, multi-volume federal government proposals.
- Seven or more years of professional writing and editing experience.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word and strong working knowledge of Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Adobe Acrobat.
- Strong technical writing, proofreading, organization, time management, and attention to detail.
- Ability to manage multiple deadlines and work independently or collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
- Clear, persuasive verbal and written communication skills.
- U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain required clearance when needed.
- Flexibility to work outside normal business hours when required to meet proposal deadlines.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with design-build proposals, estimating methodologies, rate development, bonding, insurance requirements, SBA 8(a) requirements, and/or federal contracting compliance.
- APMP Foundation certification and/or Shipley Associates proposal training.
Work Environment
This position is performed primarily in an office setting and may require light travel. Typical hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; however, evening, weekend, or holiday work may be required to meet proposal deadlines. The role may involve walking, standing, bending, reaching, using office equipment, and handling items up to 35 pounds.
