North Carolina Transportation Business Group Proposal Manager

HDR, Inc.; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership

Job summary

HDR, Inc. in North Carolina seeks a Proposal Manager to lead and coordinate transportation pursuit efforts from capture through proposal submission.

You will translate complex transportation concepts into clear client messaging and guide multidisciplinary teams to craft compelling responses. The role requires strong writing, senior marketing experience, and a proven ability to manage multiple deadlines while mentoring staff.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, English, Business, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years in transportation marketing or proposal management.
• Experience with DOT/agency procurement processes is preferred.
• Strong writing and client-focused content creation.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end proposal development for RFQ/RFP responses.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary pursuit teams and establish priorities.
• Translate complex transportation experience into clear client messaging.
• Develop interview materials, slides, and leave-behinds.
• Mentor marketing staff and manage multiple deadlines.
• Collaborate with technical leads, project managers, and leadership.
• Ensure quality and brand consistency of submittals.

Skills

Proposal development

Win strategy

Capture planning

Cross-functional leadership

Communication

Marketing coordination

Presentation skills

Team mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, English, Business

Tools

Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign)

Job description

North Carolina Transportation Business Group Proposal Manager - ( 197310 )

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?

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.

We believe transportation is more than movement, it’s the foundation of connected, thriving communities. As part of HDR’s Transportation Business Group, you’ll help shape the systems that move people and goods safely, efficiently, and sustainably. From designing resilient highways and iconic bridges to advancing transit, passenger and freight rail, aviation, federal transportation ports and marine infrastructure, your work will directly support economic vitality, public safety, sustainable and resilient communities and quality of life. We bring together planners, engineers, architects, construction management staff, environmental, strategic communications, economists, management consultants and specialists across disciplines to solve complex mobility challenges with innovation, technical excellence, and a deep understanding of community needs. Whether you're modernizing aging infrastructure or pioneering next‑generation transportation solutions, your contributions will help define the future of mobility. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead progress, drive meaningful impact, and leave a legacy of smarter, more connected transportation networks. We are all employee-owners at HDR, which is the foundation of our collaborative culture that connects employees around the world.

For decades, we have been delivering transportation planning and design services across North Carolina. Our experience includes highways and roadways, bridges, aviation, transit and rail, corridor and regional mobility studies, freight and logistics improvements. We partner with clients to support the full project lifecycle—from long‑range planning and environmental studies to design, construction support, and program delivery.

We continue to expand our transportation presence across the region, supporting state DOTs, airports, regional agencies, and local municipalities as they advance critical infrastructure that improves mobility, safety, and economic vitality. For this position, we are focused on supporting our Transportation Business Group growth initiatives, strengthening key client relationships, and positioning HDR to win and deliver impactful projects that serve our communities.

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

• Lead and support transportation pursuit teams in developing and implementing effective win strategies, including capture planning for DOT, aviation, transit, municipal, and regional agency opportunities
• Facilitate multidisciplinary pursuit teams, working with technical staff and leadership to establish clear priorities, differentiators, key messages, and pursuit strategies
• Lead the end‑to‑end proposal development process for complex RFQ/RFP responses, including kickoff, scheduling, content development, reviews, document production, and final submission
• Partner with technical leads, project managers, and leadership to translate complex transportation experience and technical concepts into clear, persuasive, client‑focused messaging
• Build strong, collaborative relationships with technical staff, management, and marketing team members to effectively advance pursuit and business development efforts
• Serve as a senior marketing resource for the North Carolina Transportation program, providing day‑to‑day guidance, problem‑solving, and leadership across pursuits and team priorities
• Develop high‑quality, visually compelling submittals aligned with HDR brand standards and tailored to client needs
• Lead the development and preparation of interview materials, including presentation strategy, slide decks, leave‑behind, question‑and‑answer preparation, team rehearsals, and technology coordination
• Lead quality and strategy reviews to evaluate accuracy, consistency, responsiveness, and overall competitiveness of proposals and interview materials
• Facilitate pursuit debriefs and incorporate lessons learned into future pursuit strategies, processes, and team development
• Help prioritize pursuit activities and coordinate marketing resources across multiple concurrent deadlines and competing priorities
• Manage, train, and mentor marketing staff while providing guidance to technical teams on business development and marketing best practices
• Support the continued development and implementation of best practices, tools, and processes that strengthen the overall North Carolina Transportation marketing program
• Articulate HDR’s transportation capabilities, differentiators, and competitive advantages across market sectors
• Perform other duties as needed

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, English, Business, or a related field.
• A minimum of 8 years relevant industry experience
• Deep knowledge of the A/E/C industry’s approach to procurement of professional services, with experience supporting transportation clients (e.g., DOTs, airports, transit/regional agencies, municipalities)
• Demonstrated experience supporting complex, multidisciplinary transportation pursuits
• Proven ability to influence and align teams in fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environments
• Demonstrated ability to motivate and inspire others and build consensus within teams
• Ability and desire to travel and engage with teams and clients in person across the state
• Demonstrated experience writing compelling, client‑focused content based on input from technical staff
• Strong organizational and project management skills

Required Qualifications

• A minimum of 5 years relevant industry experience
• Demonstrated "self‑starter" with a history of completing projects with limited oversight
• 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
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud applications, including InDesign

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.

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

We are an affirmative action and equal opportunity employee.
We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.

Ready to learn more? Let's work together to make great thingspossible.

We design solutions to the world's greatest challenges. We'realways looking for great talent to join our global teams.

Industry

Marketing/Communications

Schedule

Full-time

Employee Status

Regular

Job Posting

Oct 26, 2026

BusinessClass : Marketing and Admin