Senior Proposal Specialist

Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising

Ottawa

On-site

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

A leading engineering firm seeks a Senior Proposal Specialist to lead proposal development and capture planning. The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of relevant industry experience and a proven ability to motivate and inspire teams. Responsibilities include coordinating proposals, tracking progress, and collaborating with marketing communications. This full-time position is based in Ottawa, Ontario, and offers a collaborative and inclusive work environment.

Qualifications

Minimum of 10 years relevant industry experience.
Demonstrated ability to motivate and inspire others.
Proficient in Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

Lead pursuit teams in creating and implementing effective win strategies.
Coordinate the planning and development of proposals.
Monitor progress of the proposal process.

Skills

Self-starter

Motivation skills

Excellent written communication

Proficient in Microsoft Office

Education

Relevant industry experience

Professional or engineering registration

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story: https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

At HDR, our employee‑ownership model shapes everything we do, including how we support and care for our people. Our diverse service lines, including Water, Architecture, Building Engineering Services, Field Services, Power, Waste, Industrial, and Transportation reflect our commitment to shaping resilient, sustainable, and forward‑thinking communities around the world. Across these disciplines, our teams design and deliver solutions that safeguard public health, enhance quality of life, power innovation, and drive responsible growth. Whether advancing clean water, creating healing and learning environments, engineering next‑generation facilities, or building the infrastructure that moves people and energy, our work is rooted in technical excellence and a shared sense of purpose. Our employee‑owners collaborate across specialties, combining creativity, precision, and deep expertise to solve the most complex challenges facing our clients and communities.

Primary Responsibilities

In the role of Senior Proposal Specialist, we'll count on you to:

Lead pursuit teams in creating and implementing effective win strategies (capture planning)

Lead the coordination of the planning, development, and production of proposals and submittals in accordance with submission requirements

In coordination with pursuit team, attend meetings, document and distribute meeting minutes, establish proposal schedules, assignment matrices, compliance matrices, and proposal templates

Lead proposal kick‑off meeting

Coordinate the development of narrative, graphics, fees, and other necessary materials from both internal staff and sub‑consultants as applicable.

Communicate with proposal participants to track tasks against the schedule

Monitor progress of the proposal process, with timely follow‑up, to ensure internal proposal deadlines are being met

Support the development and implementation of client plans, including long‑term strategies to capture market share, as assigned

Research project background and anticipated procurement timelines

Outline, write, format, and edit proposal content to make it coherent and in a united voice

Support efforts to monitor our submissions against proposal best practices and industry standards, while considering process improvement opportunities

Lead end‑to‑end process and proposal development for complex proposals, including document layout and print production

Support the development of benefit statements, project profiles and standard material (graphics, org charts, etc.) for use in proposals, qualification submittals, etc.

Maintain proposal content library using enterprise systems while adhering to information lifecycle governance

Facilitate debriefs to identify improvement opportunities and to measure overall competitiveness

Recognize and celebrate pursuit successes and milestones

Assist team in development and preparation of interview materials, including slide decks, leave‑begins, question and answer preparation, team rehearsals, and technology

Lead proposal quality efforts, review proposals and presentations, and participate in reviews as needed

Maintain a strong understanding of the market trends and drivers impacting our clients

Partner with the marketing communications team to prepare company‑wide qualifications and marketing collateral materials in compliance with company writing and branding standards and in alignment with our strategic plan.

Required Qualifications

A minimum of 10 years relevant industry experience

Demonstrated \"self‑starter\" with a history of completing projects with limited oversight

Deep knowledge of the A/E/C industry's standard approach to procurement of professional services

Demonstrated ability to motivate and inspire others

Maintain a professional or engineering registration or certificate or have related technical experience

Experience in sales and developing effective win strategies

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint

Ability and desire to travel and engage with others in‑person

Demonstrated experience in writing compelling content based on information from technical staff

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

Health and Safety

At HDR, the health and safety of our employees is of the utmost importance. In accordance with local safety, health, and environmental legislation, HDR is committed to developing, maintaining, and enforcing proactive safe work policies, procedures, and standards.

Accessibility

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and other applicable legislation, we are committed to meeting the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities. Candidates with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment and selection process by contacting our Human Resources team.

Living Wage

HDR is a certified Living Wage Employer in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta.

Other Locations

Canada-British Columbia-Victoria, Canada-Ontario-Burlington, Canada-British Columbia-Vancouver, Canada-Ontario-Kingston, Canada-Ontario-Richmond Hill, Canada-Alberta-Calgary, Canada-Ontario-Toronto

Industry

Marketing/Communications

Schedule

Full-time

Employee Status

Regular

Business Class

Marketing and Admin

Job Posting

Mar 16, 2026

EEO Statement

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity.