Director, Proposal Strategy & Business Development

SBM Management Services, LP; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 155,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

SBM Management Services, LP is seeking a Director of Proposal Strategy & Business Development to drive end-to-end proposal strategy, RFP execution, and business development while supporting client operations and executive communications.

The role requires strong writing, critical thinking, and the ability to deliver high-quality materials under tight deadlines. Collaboration with sales, operations, and leadership is essential.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in proposal management and RFP response.
• Strong business writing and ability to craft executive-ready materials.
• Comfort operating at strategic and executional levels with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of RFPs, RFIs, executive summaries, capabilities decks, and client presentations.
• Review RFP requirements and define response strategy and win themes.
• Own pre-RFP efforts including questionnaires and lead-generation materials.

Skills

Proposal management

RFP response

Business writing

Strategic thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Executive presence

Education

Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, business, or related field

MBA preferred

Job description

Director, Proposal Strategy & Business Development

NOW HIRING: Proposal Strategy & Business Development Director

Compensation: $155,000-$175,000 per year

Job Overview

The Director, Proposal Strategy & Business Development is a highly visible, high-impact role responsible for leading end-to-end proposal strategy, RFP execution, and business development support while also supporting ongoing client operations and executive communications.

This individual operates at the intersection of sales, operations, and leadership—owning both strategy and execution across new business pursuits and existing client support. The role requires strong writing, critical thinking, and the ability to deliver high-quality materials under tight, often rapidly evolving deadlines.

Roles & Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be assigned.

Proposal Strategy & Business Development

• Lead development of RFPs, RFIs, executive summaries, capabilities decks, and client presentations
• Review and analyze RFP requirements; define response strategy and win themes
• Own pre-RFP efforts including questionnaires, capabilities requests, and lead-generation materials
• Write and edit proposal content while overseeing full proposal lifecycle and workflow
• Lead strategy calls, opportunity assessments, and submission planning
• Manage post-submission activities, including presentation strategy, scripting, and follow-ups
• Deliver high-quality outputs under compressed timelines, including same-day or next-day turnaround requests
• Ensure consistency, quality, and branding across all deliverables; manage design resources and final QA

Business Operations & Client Communications

Support Account Directors and business leaders with:

• Client presentations and executive materials
• Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs)
• Organizational charts and operational documentation
• Client-facing and corporate communications
• Translate operational and technical content into polished, executive-ready materials
• Manage internal and executive communications, ensuring clarity and consistency
• Support client transitions, including participation in weekly calls and reporting
• Oversee sustainability-related deliverables and redesign initiatives as needed
• Serve as a key resource for urgent, high-priority business requests across the organization

Qualification

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Education And/or Experience

Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university in marketing, communications, business, or related field; 8-10+ years of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) preferred

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Proven experience in proposal management, RFP response, and business writing
• Ability to operate at both strategic and executional levels simultaneously
• Strong executive presence and experience working with senior stakeholders
• Highly detail-oriented, organized, and comfortable managing ambiguity
• Thrives in high-pressure, high-volume environments
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, adapt quickly, and deliver under tight timelines
• Strong cross-functional collaborator across operations, HR, finance, and leadership teams

Supervisory Responsibilities

Carries out management responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, planning, assigning, and directing work; performance evaluations; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. Ensure employees are properly trained on tasks and safety requirements.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is frequently required to walk and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

Benefits

SBM offers comprehensive benefit packages. For information about SBM's benefits, please visit SBM's website at:

www.sbmmanagement.com/careers Careers – SBM

SBM Management Services, LP and its affiliates are proud to be equal opportunity workplaces. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, sex, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship, age, marital status, disability, gender identity, Veteran status, or other legally protected status.