Proposal Manager

Job Title: Proposal Manager

Mission-Focused. Detail-Obsessed. Deadline-Driven.

About the Role

Sumaria Systems is on the hunt for a seasoned Proposal Manager who thrives in the fast-paced world of Defense contracting and knows how to turn complex requirements into compelling, compliant, and competitive proposals. If you can heard cats, read an RFP like a thriller novel, keep a color review on schedule, and rally a cross-functional team toward submission day victory, this role is for you.

You’ll serve as the command center of our proposal operations, partnering with senior leadership, business development, capture teams, operations, and subcontractors to deliver winning responses to government solicitations. From capture planning to final submission, you’ll ensure our proposal process is efficient, disciplined, and continuously improving.

What You’ll Do

Lead the Charge

• Manage the full lifecycle of proposal development from capture through submission.
• Direct national, multi-regional, and local responses to RFPs, RFQs, and RFIs.
• Establish and refine best-in-class proposal processes and quality improvement practices.
• Monitor adherence to corporate proposal standards to maximize productivity and performance.

Strategize to Win

• Collaborate with Business Developers, Capture Managers, and teaming partners to craft winning strategies.
• Analyze solicitations and develop outlines, compliance matrices, and storyboards that set teams up for success.
• Support competitive positioning and solution messaging that differentiates us from the pack.

Orchestrate the Process

• Coordinate proposal resources across business development and operations teams.
• Prepare and manage daily logistics: meetings, reviews, distribution lists, web conferences, action trackers.
• Lead color team reviews and ensure recovery plans are executed efficiently.
• Serve as primary liaison for subcontractors, facilitating data calls and assembling inputs seamlessly.

Shape the Story

• Develop and refine proposal templates, outlines, and compliance documentation.
• Write and edit compelling narrative content and persuasive presentation materials.
• Ensure final submissions are polished, compliant, and delivered on time.

What You Bring to the Table

Experience & Expertise

• 5+ years of defense sector proposal management experience.
• Strong working knowledge of Government contracting and federal solicitations.
• Proven ability to analyze RFPs and guide teams through compliant, high-quality submissions.
• Demonstrated success leading meetings, managing color reviews, and producing final deliverables.

Technical Skills

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project), SharePoint, and Adobe.
• Skilled at researching and extracting information from commercial and internal databases.

Superpowers

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Meticulous attention to detail without losing sight of the big picture.
• Highly organized and able to juggle competing priorities under tight deadlines.
• Comfortable working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Flexible with occasional non-standard work hours when submission deadlines loom.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Marketing, Communications, or related field (preferred).
• Active Secret Clearance, or ability to obtain one.

The Details

• Position Type: Full-Time
• Location: Remote
• Travel: Minimal

Why You’ll Love It Here

You’ll be at the center of strategic growth initiatives, shaping opportunities that make real impact. Every submission is a mission. Every deadline is a launch. And every win is a team victory.

If you’re ready to bring structure to chaos, clarity to complexity, and confidence to every submission, we’re ready for you.

Top salaries paid for qualified candidates.

Agency submissions are not being accepted at this time.

For more information on Sumaria Systems, please visit our website at www.sumaria.com.

Sumaria is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status.

Sumaria is a Full Lifecycle Engineering, Technical Services and Professional Solutions company in support of the Warfighter, supporting modernization, high end services and next generation capabilities in contested domains. Sumaria has been a trusted partner to U. S. Department of Defense for more than 40 years, providing Lifecycle Systems Engineering, Advisory & Analysis/SETA, C5ISR and Enterprise Information Technology solutions. With expertise to lead, insight to deliver and commitment to succeed; we staff each mission with a carefully selected team of seasoned professionals.

Sumaria Systems only provides engineering services to the federal government and does not provide professional engineering or surveying services to the public within the meaning of Ohio Revised Code Section 4733.16.