Lead Proposal Writer

Centene Corporation; Colorado; Hybrid; USD 88,000 - 158,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401K and stock purchase plans

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off plus holidays

Job summary

Centene Corporation seeks an experienced proposal professional to develop written responses for complex Medicaid RFPs. The role supports growth and expansion through compelling narratives and SME collaboration.

Responsibilities include managing high-scoring questions, coordinating with SMEs, ensuring on-message responses, and mentoring staff. Flexible work arrangements are noted, with occasional after-hours during peak procurement periods.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in English, Marketing, Health Care, or related field.
• Over five years of proposal writing experience, preferably in Medicaid managed care.
• Experience managing proposals, marketing, technical or contract writing preferred.

Responsibilities

• Project manage and respond to assigned high-scoring RFP questions in support of new business and renewal procurement.
• Partner with internal SMEs to translate policies, examples, and reports into narrative.
• Ensure responses comply with RFP requirements and drafting guides, aligned with win themes.
• Develop topic papers in advance of RFP release to help writers understand the approach.
• Serve as the department’s SME for assigned areas and understand key concepts in that discipline.
• Provide backup support for reporting, competitive intelligence, and project management activities.
• Mentor departmental staff and assist in the development of RFP responses and reviews.
• Performs other duties as assigned; complies with policies and standards.

Skills

Proposal writing

Project management

Effective communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in English/Marketing/Health Care or related field

Job description

Position Purpose: Develop written responses to complex, high-scoring Medicaid Request for Proposal (RFP) section supporting the company's growth and expansion goals.

Key Details: Occasional evening and weekend work may be required during peak RFP and re-procurement periods. Clinical healthcare experience and strong Medicaid proposal writing skills are preferred.

• Project manage and respond to assigned high-scoring RFP questions in support of new business and renewal procurement
• Partners with internal functional area Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to translate SME-provided policies, examples, and reports into compelling narrative
• Ensure responses to assigned RFP questions comply with RFP requirements and drafting guides, and are 'on message' with identified win themes and key differentiators
• Develop topic papers in assigned areas in advance of RFP release to help other writers understand topic, approach, and associated tactics and programs
• Serve as the department’s SME for assigned functional areas by understanding key concepts and terms under that discipline
• Provide backup support for department reporting, competitive intelligence, and project management activities as needed
• Mentor departmental staff and assist in the development of RFP responses and reviews
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Complies with all policies and standards

Education/Experience: A Bachelor's degree in English, Marketing, Health Care, or related field. Over five years of proposal writing experience, preferably in Medicaid managed care. Experience managing proposals, marketing, technical or contract writing experience preferred.

Licenses: Clinical license (e.g., RN, LCSW) preferred.

Pay Range: $87,700.00 - $157,800.00 per year

At Centene, we connect people to the care they need to live healthier lives — and the work you do here makes that impact real every day. You'll take on meaningful challenges that directly support individuals, families, and communities, building your skills while making healthcare more accessible and effective. It’s work with a purpose you can see, backed by a team committed to improving lives well beyond the workday.

Centene offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• competitive pay
• health insurance
• 401K and stock purchase plans
• tuition reimbursement
• paid time off plus holidays
• a flexible approach to work with remote, hybrid, field or office work schedules

Actual pay will be adjusted based on an individual's skills, experience, education, and other job-related factors permitted by law, including full-time or part-time status. Total compensation may also include additional forms of incentives. Benefits may be subject to program eligibility.

Centene is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, and values the ways in which we are different. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with the LA County Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act.