Bids and Proposals Specialist

Klett World Languages, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Federal holidays off

Parental leave

Retirement plan

Paid lunch break

Job summary

Klett World Languages, Inc. in Chicago is seeking a Bids and Proposals Specialist to own proposals, RFPs, and vendor registrations from research to submission. You will drive persuasive, well-researched responses in a fast-paced startup environment with a North American focus.

You will collaborate across teams, refine processes, and support marketing campaigns while maintaining strict deadlines and attention to detail. A Bachelor's degree and 3+ years of experience are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, English, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in proposal writing, RFP responses, and vendor registration.
• Excellent persuasive business writing skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated analytical, problem-solving, and strategic planning skills.
• Ability to manage multiple bids and proposals at once and to work well under tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Own completed competitive proposals and file all required documentation.
• Research, write, and organize information to meet proposal requirements.
• Obtain the data and application forms needed for each application.
• Edit and revise proposals based on feedback from colleagues, supervisors, and clients.
• Keep proposal writing consistent with company policies.
• Complete, submit, and maintain vendor registrations at the district and state level.
• Develop an annual summary report of resources needed for curriculum adoptions and proposals.
• Prepare required reports, maintain records, and support follow-up reporting.
• Create strategies that convince others of the quality of our products and services.
• Organize and coordinate team collaboration for proposals and sales opportunities.
• Support targeted marketing campaigns.
• Review our products, services, and business processes.
• Prioritize responsibilities to meet deadlines.
• Stay current on developments, literature, and technical sources related to the role.
• Perform other duties as assigned, consistent with the goals of the position.

Skills

Proposal writing

RFP responses

Vendor registration

Persuasive writing

Written communication

Interpersonal communication

Analytical

Time management

Cross-functional collaboration

Adobe Creative Suite

Education

Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, English

Tools

Microsoft Word

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

$75,000 to $78,000 per year + annual bonus

Help schools and districts across North America choose world language materials that change how students learn. You will own our proposals, RFP responses, and vendor registrations from research to submission.

Klett World Languages is a growing educational publisher located in Chicago with a flourishing North American market share. We publish high-quality Spanish, French, German, and Italian content for grades K-12 and higher education, and we are the newest venture of the European-based Klett Group, founded in 1897 and encompassing 80+ educational enterprises.

We create content that helps students build authentic communicative competence and become global citizens. We strongly believe that educators play a key role in language learning, so part of our mission is to support them and provide opportunities for professional development.

We are a start-up publishing company in the U.S. and Canada, financially backed by a leading European publishing group. That lets us think outside the box and redesign language learning for today's needs. It's no surprise we are called "disrupters" in world language publishing.

Our international, global work culture leaves room for personal and professional growth. Leadership respects work-life balance through generous PTO, remote work policies, flexible schedules when possible, and paid professional development, and rewards the team with individual bonuses, sales-based prizes, and yearly retreats.

Our team is driven by one mission: helping change world language education in North America for the better. Are you driven to make this change with us?

The role

We are looking for an eloquent, persuasive Bids and Proposals Specialist. You will research and collect information from states, school districts, and schools on curriculum adoption and implementation, then organize and format it so every proposal meets the requirements of prospective clients and agencies.

You are a self-motivated multitasker with strong writing and research skills, excellent attention to detail, and solid time management. You follow through, work well both independently and with a team, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.

1. Proposals and RFPs

• Own completed competitive proposals and file all required documentation.
• Research, write, and organize information to meet proposal requirements.
• Obtain the data and application forms needed for each application.
• Edit and revise proposals based on feedback from colleagues, supervisors, and clients.
• Keep proposal writing consistent with company policies.

2. Vendor registration and reporting

• Complete, submit, and maintain vendor registrations at the district and state level.
• Develop an annual summary report of resources needed for curriculum adoptions and proposals.
• Prepare required reports, maintain records, and support follow-up reporting.

3. Strategy and collaboration

• Create strategies that convince others of the quality of our products and services.
• Organize and coordinate team collaboration for proposals and sales opportunities.
• Support targeted marketing campaigns.
• Review our products, services, and business processes.

4. Planning and growth

• Prioritize responsibilities to meet deadlines.
• Stay current on developments, literature, and technical sources related to the role.
• Perform other duties as assigned, consistent with the goals of the position.

What you bring

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, English, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in proposal writing, RFP responses, and vendor registration. Experience in educational publishing or public-sector procurement is a plus.
• Excellent persuasive business writing skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated analytical, problem-solving, and strategic planning skills.
• A track record of delivering results with limited supervision in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
• Ability to manage multiple bids and proposals at once and to work well under tight deadlines.
• Excellent computer and organizational skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Strong working knowledge of word processing software and Adobe Creative Suite.

Preferred qualifications

• Advanced proficiency in Spanish, French, German, or Italian.
• Previous experience in procurement, contracts, and compliance. Knowledge of legal terminology is highly desirable.

Health insurance Included in your benefits package.

Paid time off 16 days to start, increasing to 25 days after two years with the company.

Federal holidays All federal holidays off.

Parental leave Up to 12 weeks, paid at 50%.

Retirement plan 3% employer match.

Paid lunch break In the middle of an 8-hour workday.

Pay range

This role offers an annual base salary of $75,000 to $78,000, plus a bonus tied to the company's annual sales goals.