Proposal Manager

Fisher; Buffalo (NY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Hybrid work schedule

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Fisher Associates in Buffalo, NY seeks an experienced Proposal Manager to lead the full lifecycle of transportation, landscape architecture, energy, civil/site, environmental, planning, and design pursuits from evaluation to interview preparation. You’ll collaborate with Practice Directors, Client Managers, technical teams, and leadership to shape winning proposals.

You’ll develop win themes, executive summaries, and client-focused messaging while coordinating schedules, quality, and compliance

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, Journalism, or related field.
• 10+ years of proposal management, pursuit management, or strategic marketing experience in the AEC industry.
• Proven experience leading complex, high-value pursuits and influencing senior technical teams.
• Strong understanding of capture strategy, win themes, and client-focused proposal development.
• Exceptional writing, editing, communication, and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent deadlines in fast-paced environments.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop).
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Experience developing highly polished, visually compelling proposal and interview materials.
• Strong understanding of layout, typography, visual hierarchy, and branded communication.
• Ability to guide visual storytelling and collaborate on graphics, infographics, and presentation design.
• Ability to influence teams and drive accountability without direct authority.
• Strong strategic thinking, executive presence, and communication skills.
• Ability to balance strategy, creativity, storytelling, and hands-on execution.
• High standards for content, compliance, visual communication, and evaluator experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full proposal lifecycle from opportunity evaluation through submission and interview preparation.
• Facilitate pursuit strategy discussions, kickoff meetings, go/no-go conversations, and proposal planning.
• Develop win themes, proposal narratives, executive summaries, value propositions, differentiators, proof points, and client-focused messaging.
• Manage proposal schedules, assignments, quality control, compliance, and final submissions.
• Write, edit, and refine proposal content, resumes, project descriptions, and supporting materials.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and drive accountability throughout complex pursuits.
• Support interview preparation, presentation development, coaching, pursuit process improvement, and implementation of AI-enabled proposal technologies and analytics.

Skills

Proposal management

Pursuit management

Strategic marketing

Writing

Editing

Project management

Visual storytelling

Team collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing/Communications/Business/Journalism

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign)

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Microsoft Office

CRM systems / proposal tools

Job description

Description

Proposal Manager - Buffalo, NY

Buffalo, NY offers a deep AEC and professional-services market shaped by transportation, landscape architecture, energy, civil/site, environmental, planning, design, and other professional services, creating a strong setting for an experienced professional who knows how to turn complex technical capabilities into winning pursuits.

In this role, you’ll help Fisher position its transportation, landscape architecture, energy, civil/site, environmental, planning, design, and other professional services for complex pursuits. You’ll work directly with Practice Directors, Client Managers, technical teams, marketing professionals, and leadership to guide opportunities from early capture through proposal submission and interview preparation.

If you’re ready to take ownership of high-value pursuits and have a visible influence on how an established AEC firm competes for work, this role gives you the opportunity to combine strategy, storytelling, visual communication, and execution.

What You'll Do

• Lead the full proposal lifecycle from opportunity evaluation through submission and interview preparation.
• Facilitate pursuit strategy discussions, kickoff meetings, go/no-go conversations, and proposal planning.
• Develop win themes, proposal narratives, executive summaries, value propositions, differentiators, proof points, and client-focused messaging.
• Manage proposal schedules, assignments, quality control, compliance, and final submissions.
• Write, edit, and refine proposal content, resumes, project descriptions, and supporting materials.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and drive accountability throughout complex pursuits.
• Support interview preparation, presentation development, coaching, pursuit process improvement, and implementation of AI-enabled proposal technologies and analytics.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, Journalism, or related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience with proposal management, pursuit management, or strategic marketing experience within the AEC industry.
• Proven experience leading complex, high-value pursuits and influencing senior technical teams.
• Strong understanding of capture strategy, win themes, and client-focused proposal development.
• Exceptional writing, editing, communication, and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent deadlines in fast-paced environments.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Experience developing highly polished, visually compelling proposal and interview materials.
• Strong understanding of layout, typography, visual hierarchy, and branded communication.
• Ability to guide visual storytelling and collaborate on graphics, infographics, and presentation design.
• Ability to influence teams and drive accountability without direct authority.
• Strong strategic thinking, executive presence, and communication skills.
• Ability to balance strategy, creativity, storytelling, and hands‑on execution.
• High standards for content, compliance, visual communication, and the overall evaluator experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with CRM systems, proposal tools, and AI‑assisted proposal platforms.

Why Join Fisher

• Shape meaningful infrastructure, environmental, and community outcomes through work that has visible local and regional impact.
• Grow in a collaborative culture where accessible leaders welcome ideas, feedback, ownership, and professional development.
• Build your career through mentorship, technical learning, leadership opportunities, and exposure to multidisciplinary project teams.
• Thrive in a flexible, team-driven environment that values quality, accountability, work‑life balance, and long‑term success.

Compensation + Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) plan.
• Company‑paid life and disability insurance.
• Hybrid work schedule, generous PTO, paid holidays, and strong work‑life balance.
• Shareholders program, professional development opportunities and reimbursement, supplemental benefits, and employee groups focused on community, inclusion, and employee voice.

Location Flexibility

This role is aligned to the Buffalo, NY market for firmwide AEC pursuit leadership, multidisciplinary proposal strategy, and client‑focused business development support. Fisher may also consider strong candidates located near Rochester, NY; Syracuse, NY; Binghamton, NY; Ithaca, NY; Albany, NY; Canonsburg, PA; or Sugar Land, TX; based on project needs, client alignment, team growth priorities, and business development opportunity.

This position is open to remote candidates; however, remote work arrangements are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and are dependent on the candidate’s experience level, demonstrated qualifications, and ability to perform the essential functions of the role independently.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Fisher Associates is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all individuals are respected, valued, and empowered to thrive. We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected status under federal, state, or local law.