Proposal Manager - Marketing

ML6 Search + Talent Advisory; Kitchener; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

ML6 Search + Talent Advisory is seeking a Proposal Manager in Kitchener, Canada, to lead the corporate submission and pursuits team. The role requires a strategic communicator who can provide leadership and mentorship while overseeing workflows and high-quality bids.

Candidates should have 7 to 10 years of experience in proposal management within the AEC sectors, ensuring compliance with client requirements and evaluation criteria. Collaboration with senior partners and strong organizational skills are essential for success.

Qualifications

• 7 to 10 years of progressive experience in proposal management.
• At least 2 years managing and coaching a pursuits team.
• Experience in Architectural, Engineering, or Construction sectors.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and mentorship to a team of pursuit specialists.
• Oversee delivery of qualifications packages and proposal submissions.
• Collaborate with partners to define win strategies.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic communication

Proposal management

Interpersonal skills

Education

University degree or college diploma in Marketing, Communications, Business Administration

Job description

ML6 is partnering with a well-established Canadian professional services firm that specializes in infrastructure, environmental, and structural consulting. They are looking to hire a Proposal Manager to lead their corporate submission and pursuits team, driving the development of winning strategies for public and private sector projects.

This is a senior, leadership-focused position suited for a strategic communicator who thrives in a collaborative environment—overseeing team workflows, mentoring staff, and collaborating with technical leaders to deliver high-quality, competitive bids.

What You'll Be Doing

• Providing strategic leadership and mentorship to a team of pursuit specialists, managing workloads, resource allocation, and team development.
• Overseeing the end-to-end delivery of qualifications packages, expressions of interest, and complex proposal submissions across multiple business lines.
• Collaborating with senior partners and technical experts to define win strategies, identify pursuit risks, and position the firm competitively.
• Authoring, editing, and tailoring high-impact non-technical content, ensuring absolute compliance with client requirements and evaluation criteria.
• Facilitating key pursuit milestones, including kickoff meetings, strategy sessions, and final reviews to maintain momentum and alignment.
• Championing corporate brand consistency and quality standards across all external-facing pursuit and presentation materials.
• Maintaining and optimizing the proposal infrastructure, including content libraries, past performance profiles, project profiles, and CRM tracking.
• Conducting post-submission debriefs to analyze outcomes, track performance metrics, and implement continuous process improvements.

What You'll Need to Be Successful

• University degree or college diploma in Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, or a closely related discipline.
• 7 to 10 years of progressive experience in proposal management, with at least 2 years of direct experience managing and coaching a pursuits team.
• Proven experience working within the Architectural, Engineering, or Construction (AEC) sectors, or a closely related professional services consulting environment.
• Demonstrated capability leading complex, multi-disciplinary bid pursuits under tight, non-negotiable deadlines.
• Strong proficiency in developing streamlined proposal workflows, templates, and best practices.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence, train, and collaborate with diverse internal stakeholders.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable balancing hands-on writing with high-level team management.
• Ability to work out of our Southwestern Ontario head office a minimum of 3 days per week.