Proposal Specialist/Proposal Manager

hcma architecture + design; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Extended health and dental coverage

Paid vacation + firm holidays

Studio culture and events

Job summary

hcma architecture + design seeks an experienced proposal professional to join the Marketing team, shaping submissions that respond to client needs and reflect the firm’s quality and impact. The role can be a Proposal Specialist or Proposal Manager based on experience and leadership abilities.

You’ll work closely with Principals and the Marketing team to develop compelling content, coordinate pursuit teams, and guide strategy across major opportunities.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in a proposal role, proposal management, business development, pursuit management, or marketing within architecture, engineering, construction, planning, or related professional services.
• Strong hands-on experience developing proposals from start to finish.
• Excellent writing, editing, storytelling and communication skills.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Strong proposal strategy skills with the ability to identify client needs, shape narratives, and position teams for success.

Responsibilities

• Lead the proposal process from Go/No-Go through to submission, ensuring compliance with RFP requirements and strategic alignment.
• Coordinate multi-stakeholder proposal teams, including Principals and subject matter experts.
• Interpret RFP requirements and guide the team to clarity and consistency.
• Develop win themes, positioning, and overall proposal strategy.
• Create compelling proposal content, including project sheets and resumes.
• Design and produce polished documents in Adobe InDesign with strong visuals and narrative.
• Support interview strategy and presentations for shortlisted pursuits.
• Maintain organized proposal files, content libraries, and knowledge management practices.

Skills

Proposal Management

Business Development

Editing & Writing

Leadership

Adobe InDesign

RFP Knowledge

Stakeholder Coordination

Tools

Adobe InDesign

Job description

Who is design for? At hcma, we’re asking big questions about how we can help solve some of the world’s wicked challenges, through design. We create buildings, brands and shared experiences that connect people – all driven by a genuine spirit of curiosity and care.

We are interdisciplinary by intention. Architects, designers, researchers, strategists, and storytellers all working together to create the lasting change we want to see in our communities.

And that’s where (we hope!) you come in.

About the Role

Great proposals do more than respond to opportunities - they're about building relationships, telling meaningful stories, and helping shape the future of our communities through design.

We’re looking for an experienced proposal professional to join our Marketing team. Depending on the experience and leadership capabilities you bring, this role could be shaped at either the Proposal Specialist or Proposal Manager level.

In either role, you’ll bring strong hands-on proposal experience and play an important part in helping hcma pursue and win meaningful work. You’ll work closely with Principals, senior leaders and the Marketing team to develop compelling submissions that respond to client needs, tell meaningful stories and reflect the quality and impact of hcma’s work.

You’ll take an active role throughout the proposal process - from understanding RFP requirements and coordinating pursuit teams to shaping strategy, developing content and producing high-quality submissions.

For someone joining at the Manager level, the role will also include greater ownership of proposal strategy, process and the development of others. You’ll help evolve how we pursue opportunities across the firm, strengthen our systems and content, and provide leadership and mentorship to the proposal team.

Whether you’re an experienced proposal specialist ready for your next challenge or an established proposal leader looking to shape a growing practice, we’d love to hear from you.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the proposal process from Go/No-Go decision through to submission, ensuring compliance with RFP requirements and strategic alignment
• Coordinate multi-stakeholder proposal teams, including Principals, subject matter experts, and external sub-consultants, managing schedules, roles, and workflows
• Interpret RFP requirements and guide the team to ensure clarity and consistency across the proposal team
• Conduct research to inform win themes, positioning, and overall proposal strategy
• Develop compelling proposal content, including firm storytelling, project sheets, and resumes
• Design and produce polished proposal documents in Adobe InDesign, integrating visuals and narrative effectively
• Support interview strategy and presentations for shortlisted pursuits
• Maintain organized proposal files, content libraries, and tracking systems, while supporting continuous improvement of processes

At the Proposal Manager level, you’ll also

• Take greater ownership of proposal strategy across major and strategic pursuits
• Partner with Principals and the Director of Marketing to shape pursuit strategy and facilitate Go/No-Go discussions
• Provide oversight, coaching and quality assurance across proposals delivered by the team
• Lead, mentor and support the development of proposal team members
• Help evolve firm-wide proposal systems, workflows, templates and knowledge management practices
• Identify opportunities to improve how we pursue work and build greater consistency and capability across the firm

What You’ll Bring

• 4+ years of experience in a proposal role, proposal management, business development, pursuit management, or marketing within architecture, engineering, construction, planning, or a related professional services industry.
• Strong hands-on experience developing proposals from start to finish
• Excellent writing, editing, storytelling and communication skills
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Exceptional writing, editing, storytelling, and communication skills.
• Strong proposal strategy skills with the ability to identify client needs, shape compelling narratives, and position teams for success.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines.
• Confidence interpreting RFP requirements and translating them into clear, coordinated submission strategies
• Experience improving systems, processes, templates, or knowledge management practices.
• Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively alongside senior leaders and multidisciplinary teams.
• Proficiency in Adobe InDesign and experience producing complex, high-quality documents
• A collaborative, curious, and proactive mindset with a passion for continuous improvement.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range: $65,000 - $100,000 annually

Given we are exploring a range of experiences for this role, the range is intentionally broad to capture that.

In addition to a competitive salary, we offer:

• Extended health and dental coverage
• Paid vacation + firm holidays
• A creative, collaborative and lively studio environment and culture
• Office and firm-wide social events

Why Join Us?

At hcma, you'll be part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team that's passionate about creating positive change through design. As Proposal Specialist or Manager, you'll have the opportunity to shape how we pursue meaningful work, mentor a growing team, and build the systems and strategies that support our long-term success.

Candidates must be legally eligible to work in Canada.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require accommodations or support to apply, please contact [e-mail] or call 604.732.6620, we’re happy to help.