Proposal Manager

TalentSphere; Calgary; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Bonus opportunities

Benefits package

Job summary

TalentSphere is seeking a Proposal Manager for a Calgary-based architecture practice. You will lead marketing and proposal initiatives, oversee RFPs/RFQs, and drive content development to showcase the firm’s design excellence and capabilities.

Collaborate with principals, project leaders and technical teams to create persuasive, client-focused submissions. The role emphasizes strategic pursuit planning, brand consistency, and continuous improvement of proposal processes.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in marketing, proposals or business development
• Experience leading complex proposal submissions (RFPs, RFQs)
• Strong understanding of marketing strategy and brand positioning
• Ability to engage senior stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop) and MS Office
• Excellent written communication and storytelling abilities
• Strong design sensibility and document layout standards
• Experience supervising proposal or marketing teams is an asset

Responsibilities

• Lead marketing and proposal strategy aligned with business development priorities
• Oversee responses to RFPs, RFQs and qualifications packages
• Direct development of proposal narratives, project profiles and credentials
• Collaborate with principals, directors, architects and designers
• Maintain brand identity across proposals and marketing collateral
• Oversee digital content, website updates and social media initiatives
• Support business development planning and opportunity identification
• Establish submission schedules and content libraries
• Coordinate industry awards submissions and events
• Guide internal contributors and external resources for high-quality deliverables
• Evaluate outcomes to improve messaging and workflows

Skills

Marketing strategy

Brand positioning

Proposal development

Stakeholder management

Content storytelling

Team leadership

Marketing communications

Tools

Adobe InDesign

Adobe Photoshop

Microsoft Office

Job description

Proposal Manager

Architecture

Calgary, Alberta
Salary: $70,000–$95,000 + Bonus & Benefits | Full-Time

Other Titles: Marketing Manager, Senior Marketing Manager, Proposal Manager, Marketing & Communications Manager, AEC Marketing Manager, Business Development & Marketing Manager

THE COMPANY

Our client is an established, multidisciplinary architecture and design firm recognized for its design excellence, technical expertise and commitment to delivering innovative, sustainable built‑environment solutions.

With a diverse portfolio of projects spanning Alberta and other Canadian markets, the firm is seeking an experienced Proposal Manager to take ownership of its marketing and proposal functions in Calgary. This is an opportunity for a commercially minded marketing professional to play a key role in the firm's growth, shape its market presence and lead the development of strategic pursuits that strengthen its competitive position.

The successful candidate will combine strong leadership capabilities with a sophisticated understanding of proposal strategy, brand positioning, content development and business development within a professional services environment.

THE ROLE

Reporting to senior leadership, you will oversee marketing and proposal initiatives, establish effective pursuit processes and work closely with principals, project leaders and technical teams to position the firm for new opportunities. This role requires someone who can move comfortably between strategic planning and hands‑on execution, ensuring the firm's expertise is communicated effectively across proposals, presentations and marketing channels.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Marketing & Proposal Strategy: Lead the planning, coordination and execution of marketing and proposal initiatives, aligning pursuit activities with the firm's business development priorities and growth objectives.

• Pursuit Leadership: Oversee responses to RFPs, RFQs, expressions of interest and other competitive opportunities, developing tailored strategies and compelling submissions that distinguish the firm from its competitors.

• Content & Positioning: Direct the development of proposal narratives, project profiles, corporate credentials and technical content, translating complex architectural and design information into persuasive, client‑focused messaging.

• Leadership & Collaboration: Work closely with firm principals, project directors, architects, designers and consultants to identify differentiators, communicate project value and develop strong submission strategies.

• Brand Management: Maintain and advance the firm's brand identity, ensuring consistency and quality across proposals, presentations, corporate communications and marketing collateral.

• Marketing Communications: Oversee the development of digital content, website updates, social media initiatives, publications and other communications that enhance the firm's profile and market visibility.

• Business Development Support: Monitor upcoming opportunities, contribute to pursuit planning and help identify prospective clients, sectors and projects aligned with the firm's strategic direction.

• Proposal Operations: Establish and manage submission schedules, internal review processes, content libraries, templates and quality‑control procedures to improve efficiency and consistency.

• Industry Engagement: Coordinate award submissions, speaking opportunities, conferences, exhibitions and other initiatives that support the firm's reputation and professional networks.

• Team & Resource Management: Coordinate internal contributors and external creative resources, providing guidance and direction to support high‑quality deliverables and effective collaboration.

• Continuous Improvement: Evaluate proposal outcomes and marketing effectiveness, identifying opportunities to strengthen messaging, streamline workflows and improve future pursuit performance.

WHAT'S REQUIRED

• 6+ years of progressive experience in marketing, proposals, communications or business development support, ideally within the architecture, engineering, construction or broader professional services sector.

• Demonstrated experience leading complex proposal submissions and managing competitive pursuits, including RFPs, RFQs and qualifications packages.

• A strong understanding of marketing strategy, brand positioning, proposal development and the role of marketing in driving business growth.

• Proven ability to engage senior stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams to develop targeted, high‑quality submissions under tight deadlines.

• Advanced proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, particularly InDesign and Photoshop, alongside Microsoft Office and related marketing tools.

• Exceptional written communication, editing and storytelling skills, with the ability to communicate technical expertise and project experience in a compelling, client‑focused manner.

• A strong design sensibility and understanding of visual communication, document layout, branding and presentation standards.

• Excellent organizational and project management capabilities, including the ability to manage multiple concurrent pursuits and competing priorities.

• Experience contributing to business development planning, opportunity identification, client research or strategic pursuit decisions.

• Strong relationship‑building skills, sound judgment and the ability to influence contributors across different levels of an organization.

• Previous experience supervising, mentoring or providing direction to marketing or proposal team members is an asset.

• A portfolio of proposal submissions, presentations, award entries or other relevant marketing deliverables is strongly preferred.

WHAT YOU GET IN RETURN

• An opportunity to take a visible, influential role within a respected multidisciplinary architecture and design practice.

• The ability to shape marketing strategy and contribute directly to business development and growth initiatives.

• Exposure to a diverse portfolio of significant architectural and design projects across Alberta and Canada.

• Close collaboration with senior leadership and experienced technical professionals.

• A professional, creative and team‑oriented working environment.

• Competitive compensation of $75,000–$95,000, commensurate with experience.

• Performance‑based bonus opportunities and comprehensive benefits.

• Some flexibility in working arrangements.

• Long‑term career development within an established and growing AEC organization.

WHAT TO DO NOW

If you are a seasoned marketing and proposal professional with the strategic insight, leadership capabilities and creative expertise to elevate a firm's market presence and competitive pursuits, we would welcome the opportunity to connect.

Keywords: Proposal Lead, Project Manager, Pursuit Manager, Proposal Specialist, Senior Proposal Lead, Calgary, Alberta