Capture Specialist

ICF; Reston (VA); Remote; USD 74,000 - 152,000; Full time

Job summary

ICF is seeking a Capture Specialist to drive opportunity qualification, capture planning, positioning, and proposal development in a flexible remote or hybrid environment. You will work with Capture Managers, technical leads, and business development teams to manage pursuit content and ensure compliant responses.

You will collaborate across disciplines, guide smaller capture efforts, support client calls, and contribute to win themes and differentiators to strengthen proposals.

Qualifications

• 2+ years capture and proposal experience in pre‑RFP and proposal responses.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to conduct independent research, analysis, writing, and coordination.
• Working knowledge of capture lifecycle and government procurement processes.
• Experience supporting cross‑functional pursuit teams.

Responsibilities

• Research client priorities, budgets, incumbents, and market trends to inform capture.
• Develop and maintain capture plans, schedules, and action trackers.
• Coordinate capture efforts with technical leads and proposal teams.
• Prepare background research and briefing materials for client calls.
• Contribute to win strategy, differentiators, and client‑facing messaging.
• Support teaming partner research and inputs for pricing discussions.
• Maintain opportunity records and reusable capture content.

Skills

Research and analysis

Proposal writing

Cross-functional collaboration

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

MS Word

PowerPoint

Excel

Teams

SharePoint

CRM

Job description

Description

ICF (NASDAQ: ICFI) is a $1.5 billion global consulting and digital services provider that operates with a nonprofit soul. With 7k+ people in 70 countries, we were just named one of Forbes’ 2020 Best America’s Best Management Consulting Firms for the sixth consecutive year and are named one of Forbes’ best midsize employers.

We’re growing rapidly. And capture is at the core. We have a 50+ year legacy of world-changing work, doubling in size + revenue every five years on average for the last two decades. We’re seeking a Capture Specialist, open to remote or hybrid work.

The Capture Specialist supports opportunity qualification, capture planning, positioning, and proposal development in partnership with Capture Managers, technical leads, and business development, account, and proposal teams. The role independently executes assigned capture and proposal workstreams, translates research and client insights into actionable inputs, and helps ensure capture intelligence and win strategies carry through to proposal content. With approximately five years of combined capture and proposal experience, the Capture Specialist contributes substantive analysis, writing, and coordination while generally working under the direction of a designated pursuit lead. The Capture Specialist may also manage selected smaller, less complex capture efforts in partnership with the technical lead. Accountability centers on the quality and timely completion of assigned deliverables and disciplined execution of these smaller captures, with strategic, investment, and bid decisions escalated to the appropriate leaders.

Key Responsibilities

• Research and synthesize client priorities, budgets, procurement plans, incumbents, competitors, and market trends; identify information gaps and implications for opportunity qualification and positioning.
• Develop and maintain assigned elements of capture plans, schedules, action trackers, and gate review materials; follow up with task owners and flag risks, dependencies, and overdue actions to the pursuit lead.
• May manage selected smaller, less complex capture efforts in partnership with the technical lead, coordinating capture plans, schedules, team inputs, and proposal readiness while escalating strategic, investment, and bid decisions to the appropriate leaders.
• Support client and stakeholder call planning by preparing background research, briefing materials, questions, and meeting records; document insights and track follow-up actions.
• Contribute to win strategy, value proposition, differentiator, and win theme development by organizing evidence, identifying relevant capabilities and past performance, and drafting client-focused messaging.
• Support teaming partner research and outreach, capability assessments, and teaming documentation; coordinate inputs and follow-up under the direction of the pursuit lead and contracts team.
• Work with technical leads, subject matter experts, recruiting, and delivery teams to gather and organize solution, staffing, resume, and past performance inputs and identify gaps requiring resolution.
• Compile research, assumptions, and supporting inputs for pricing and price-to-win discussions; track follow-up actions without owning pricing strategy or approvals.
• Support responses to requests for information, sources sought notices, and proposals by analyzing requirements, developing compliance and capability matrices, and drafting or editing assigned content in coordination with the Proposal Manager and technical leads.
• Prepare capture-to-proposal handoff materials that connect client priorities, competitive insights, win themes, differentiators, teaming, and solution decisions to proposal development.
• Participate in color team reviews for assigned content, check alignment with requirements and capture strategy, and help resolve review comments; support oral-presentation preparation as needed.
• Coordinate with marketing and sales enablement teams on client engagement materials, capability statements, thought leadership, and campaigns supporting assigned pursuits.
• Maintain accurate opportunity and pipeline records, organized pursuit files, and concise status updates; contribute reusable content and lessons learned to established capture and proposal resources.

Required Qualifications

• 2+ years of combined experience in capture and proposal development, including hands‑on contributions to both pre‑RFP capture activities and proposal responses.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience independently completing assigned research, analysis, writing, and coordination deliverables within cross‑functional pursuit teams and a collaborative, matrixed environment.
• Working knowledge of a disciplined capture and proposal lifecycle, including opportunity qualification, capture planning, win strategy development, proposal compliance, and review processes.
• Working knowledge of applicable government procurement processes, solicitation documents, and common contract types.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting federal or state government pursuits in a consulting or professional services environment.
• Experience using market intelligence and procurement research tools to assess clients, competitors, incumbents, and upcoming opportunities.
• Experience preparing client call plans, teaming capability assessments, capture‑to‑proposal handoffs, and proposal review materials.
• Familiarity with teaming agreements, competitive pricing inputs, and cost proposal development.
• Strong analytical, written, verbal, organizational, and relationship‑management skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information into clear, client‑focused content.
• Ability to manage concurrent assignments, meet deadlines, exercise sound judgment within assigned responsibilities, and elevate issues requiring pursuit‑level decisions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel and ability to work in Teams, SharePoint, CRM, and pipeline systems.

Working at ICF

ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we’re not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting‑edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future.

We can only solve the world’s toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read ourEEO policy.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Work Authorization and Sponsorship

All candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for new H‑1B visa sponsorship by ICF. Candidates who currently hold valid work authorization may be considered for a change of employer petition, subject to company policy and applicable immigration requirements.

Reasonable Accommodations

Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation, please [e-mail] we will be happy to assist. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.

Read more aboutworkplacediscriminationrights or our benefit offerings which are included in theTransparency in (Benefits) Coverage Act.

Candidate AI Usage Policy

At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews (whether in‑person or virtual) is not permitted. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the interview process.

However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodation that involves the use of AI. If such an accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance [e-mail] for assistance. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.

Pay Range

The pay range for this position based on full‑time employment is:

$74,090.00 - $152,404.00

Nationwide Remote Office (US99)