Junior Proposal Manager

Summary

Junior Proposal Manager

Department

Business Development / Proposals

Reports To

Director of Proposals

Employment Type

Full-Time

Work Location

Remote

Salary Range

$70,000–$85,000 annually

Position Summary

We are seeking a motivated, detail-oriented Junior Proposal Manager to support the development of competitive, compliant, and compelling proposals for federal government contracting opportunities.

Working under the direction of the Director of Proposals, the Junior Proposal Manager will assist in coordinating all phases of the proposal development process, from solicitation analysis and planning through writing, production, and final submission. The position will also be responsible for managing smaller, less complex proposal efforts with appropriate guidance and oversight.

This position offers an excellent opportunity for an emerging proposal professional to expand their technical writing, project management, and proposal development skills while contributing directly to the company’s business development objectives.

The ideal candidate is an organized, proactive professional with strong writing abilities, exceptional attention to detail, and an eagerness to learn and grow within a collaborative, deadline-driven environment.

Key Responsibilities

Proposal Coordination and Management

• Support the planning, coordination, development, and submission of federal government proposals, including RFPs, RFQs, RFIs, and task order responses.
• Assist with reviewing solicitations to identify submission requirements, evaluation criteria, deliverables, and compliance obligations.
• Develop and maintain proposal schedules, compliance matrices, outlines, action item trackers, and other proposal management documents.
• Coordinate with subject matter experts, operations personnel, business development teams, and other contributors to gather required information and proposal content.
• Monitor assigned proposal activities, track deadlines, and communicate progress and potential issues to the Director of Proposals.
• Organize and participate in proposal kickoff meetings, status meetings, and structured proposal reviews.
• Independently manage smaller or less complex proposals under the guidance of the Director of Proposals.
• Assist with final proposal production, quality checks, and electronic submissions.

Proposal Writing and Editing

• Draft and edit proposal narratives, including corporate experience, past performance, management approaches, staffing plans, and other assigned technical or administrative sections.
• Work with subject matter experts to transform technical information into clear, concise, and persuasive proposal content.
• Review and edit written contributions for grammar, clarity, consistency, responsiveness, and compliance.
• Assist with incorporating win themes, competitive differentiators, and customer-focused messaging into proposal responses.
• Support the development and formatting of tables, graphics, organizational charts, and other proposal materials.
• Ensure proposal documents follow established corporate templates, formatting requirements, and style guidelines.

Quality Control and Compliance

• Review proposal materials for compliance with solicitation instructions and applicable submission requirements.
• Assist in preparing materials for Pink, Red, Gold, and other structured proposal reviews.
• Track review comments and coordinate the incorporation of approved revisions.
• Perform proofreading and quality control checks to identify errors, omissions, inconsistencies, and formatting issues.
• Maintain document version control and organized proposal files throughout the development process.
• Support final production and submission activities, including verification of required forms, attachments, and document formatting.

Proposal Department Support and Development

• Maintain and update proposal content libraries, templates, past performance references, resumes, and other reusable materials.
• Assist with developing and improving proposal processes, standard operating procedures, and department resources.
• Participate in proposal lessons-learned activities and contribute suggestions for process improvement.
• Support business development and capture activities by organizing opportunity information and assisting with preliminary proposal planning.
• Develop familiarity with federal acquisition processes, government contracting terminology, and industry proposal development best practices.
• Pursue ongoing professional development to strengthen proposal writing, management, and compliance skills.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, Business, Marketing, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• 1–3 years of experience in proposal coordination, proposal writing, technical writing, business development support, or a related professional role.
• Strong writing, editing, proofreading, and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Ability to follow detailed instructions, interpret requirements, and produce accurate, professional documents.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate effectively with individuals across multiple departments.
• Self-motivated with a willingness to learn, accept feedback, and take increasing responsibility.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet firm deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting federal government proposals or working within the government contracting industry.
• Familiarity with federal solicitations, including RFP Sections L and M, compliance matrices, and proposal schedules.
• Exposure to Shipley or APMP proposal development methodologies and color team reviews.
• Experience with Adobe InDesign, Microsoft SharePoint, or similar document management and collaboration platforms.
• Experience developing technical narratives, past performance descriptions, or management plans.
• Familiarity with federal facilities management, operations and maintenance, environmental services, healthcare support, or other government services contracts.
• APMP Foundation certification or interest in pursuing professional certification.

Core Competencies

• Organization and Time Management: Ability to manage priorities, track deliverables, and meet established deadlines.
• Written Communication: Ability to develop clear, accurate, concise, and professional proposal content.
• Attention to Detail: Commitment to accuracy, consistency, and compliance with requirements.
• Collaboration: Ability to coordinate effectively with proposal contributors, technical personnel, and management.
• Initiative and Accountability: Willingness to take ownership of assigned responsibilities and proactively address issues.
• Adaptability: Ability to respond to changing priorities and perform effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Professional Growth: Demonstrated interest in developing proposal management expertise and advancing within the profession.

Performance Expectations

Success in this position will be measured by:

• Timely and accurate completion of assigned proposal tasks and deliverables.
• Quality, clarity, and compliance of written proposal contributions.
• Effective coordination and communication with proposal team members.
• Accuracy and organization of proposal schedules, compliance matrices, and supporting documentation.
• Consistent adherence to corporate proposal procedures and quality standards.
• Demonstrated growth in the ability to independently manage smaller proposal efforts.
• Proactive contributions to department efficiency, knowledge management, and process improvement.

Career Development

This position is intended to develop the skills and experience necessary for advancement to a Proposal Manager role.

The Junior Proposal Manager will receive guidance, mentoring, and progressively greater responsibility as proficiency increases in proposal planning, coordination, writing, compliance, and full lifecycle management.