Principal Specialist, Proposals

KBR; Huntsville (AL); Hybrid; USD 108,000 - 163,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in defense contracting is seeking a Principal Specialist, Proposals to manage proposal development efforts. The role requires exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills to ensure high-quality submissions in a fast-paced environment. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in DoD contracting and proposal coordination.

Benefits

401K plan with company match

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Disability and life insurance

Flexible work schedule

Paid time off

Professional training and development

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizen living in the U.S.
• 7 years of relevant experience required, including proposal coordination.
• Experience in DoD contracting, including knowledge of government processes.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate proposal development efforts and manage proposal teams.
• Review RFP requirements and prepare compliance matrices.
• Compile past performance research and assist in proposal production.

Skills

Organization

Interpersonal skills

Customer service orientation

Editing

Multi-tasking

Written communication

Education

BA/BS degree

Tools

MS Word

SharePoint

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

Title:

Principal Specialist, Proposals

KBR is seeking aPrincipal Specialist, Proposals with experience in a DoD contracting environment to join our team. The role requires exceptional organization skills, strong interpersonal abilities, and a customer service-oriented mindset to manage and coordinate proposal development efforts effectively. The ideal candidate will ensure compliance with proposal requirements, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and contribute to high-quality, competitive submissions.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Coordinates the administrative aspects of the proposal process and in some cases manages the proposal team. Works with multiple functional and operational personnel in a deadline driven environment to develop compliant, winning proposals in response to government requests for proposal (RFP). Coordinates the requirements of many proposals/proposal teams at once, acting as the manager for subcontract proposals and the assistant to the manager on prime proposals.

Works with business development capture managers to formulate teams with other companies and may compile past performance research. Searches SAM.gov and works with internal company POCs to obtain RFP documents.

Reviews and interprets RFP requirements and understands the proposal process. Prepares compliance matrices as needed. Works independently or with the proposal manager to guide the technical team toward successful proposal completion.

Maintains configuration control of documentation and access to the proposal management system. Coordinates data calls for information from other companies as well as data from within KBR. Coordinates and prepares past performance requests from current and previous government customers. Works with the proposal manager to select color team reviewers and schedules and participates in color team reviews.

Builds response templates for proposal writers as well as edits and formats proposal documents for compliance with company styles and RFP requirements. Coordinates white glove review and production of final product for submittal. Hard copy submittal includes coordination of covers, binders, tabs, etc. with graphics and production personnel, as well as the coordination of delivery.

The Principal Specialist supports the Proposal Manager to ensure the proposal process runs smoothly and the response team stays on schedule by:

• Supporting ad hoc activities as needed by Proposal Manager and fills in as Proposal Manager in their absence. Some ad hoc writing responsibilities could be expected
• Communicates with the Proposal Manager regarding schedule, meeting agendas, status of tasks, outstanding assignments, pending deadlines, and other potential requirements as necessary
• Reviewing DRFP and FRFP documents thoroughly upon release; creating change documents highlighting changes from amendments, etc.; paying close attention to all instructions related to proposal preparation, production, submission, and delivery
• Developing and maintaining/updating supporting documents, such as the PMC User List and the Color Team Reviewer List; developing and updating proposal response templates according to the FRFP.
• Attending virtual and in-person proposal meetings; hosting meetings if necessary; printing needed documents for in-person meetings; presenting proposal process information to response team during kickoff(s) (to include information about graphics process, the PMC etc.); providing any necessary training to response team for processes and tools
• Supporting the professional look and feel of proposals by providing desktop publishing, copy editing; coordinating graphics production and cover art with assigned Graphics Designer
• Assisting with desktop publishing efforts prior to each Color Team review and prior to final submission; confirming all proposal documents comply with KBR branding and proposal guidelines
• Assisting with the administration of PMC sites, to include user access.
• Assisting with close out activities, such as, moving past performance write-ups to the Past Performance Database and ensuring the Status of the PMC site is changed.
• Under general direction, uses specialized knowledge or skills to solve complex and unique problems.
• May direct resources, prioritize tasks and provide guidance to less experienced team members.
• Relies upon experience, interpersonal skills, and broad knowledge of field to ensure task completion in compliance with KBR’s policies, procedures, and business strategy.
• Provides in-depth training to members of the team.
• May be responsible leading subcontractor proposal efforts from cradle to grave. This includes working with Capture to understand the opportunity; acts as the primary POC between KBR and the Prime; ensures data calls and pricing are completed and submitted to the prime.

Basic Qualifications:

• U.S. Citizen living in the U.S.
• BA/BS degree plus 7 years of relevant experience required, at least three of which is in proposal coordination. Additional experience may be substituted in lieu of degree.
• Experience in DoD contracting environment, including knowledge of the government contracting processes and regulations (i.e., FAR and DFARS).
• Ability to edit and correct grammar in existing documents
• Experience communicating with the Proposal Manager regarding schedule, meeting agendas, status of tasks, outstanding assignments, pending deadlines, and other potential requirements as necessary
• Experience reviewing solicitation documents thoroughly upon release; creating change documents highlighting changes from amendments, etc.; paying close attention to all instructions related to proposal preparation, production, submission, and delivery.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Impeccable organizational skills
• Advanced knowledge of MS Word editing (e.g. formatting, style application, table of contents, etc.)
• Strong knowledge of other Microsoft products (including SharePoint) and Adobe Acrobat
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and meet deadlines
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and a strong customer service orientation
• Excellent written communication skills
• Ability to lead a team
• Experience working with AI tools to develop proposals
• APMP certification is a plus.

Work Location: Onsite or remote work option available.

Compensation: $108,100 - $162,200. The salary range posted is the based on the national average. The offered rate will be based on the selected candidate’s location, knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or experience, contract affordability, and in consideration of internal parity.

Additional Compensation:

KBR may offer bonuses, commissions, or other forms of compensation to certain job titles or levels, per internal policy or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be in the form of sign on bonus, relocation benefits, short term incentives, long term incentives, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.

Benefits:

KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits which could include a 401K plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, or flexible work schedule. We support career advancement through professional training and development.

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