Proposal Manager

The Zimmerman Agency, Inc.; Tallahassee (FL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Zimmerman Agency in Tallahassee seeks a New Business Proposal Manager to lead the development and submission of proposals and RFP responses. This hands-on role blends persuasive writing, strategic thinking and disciplined project management to win new business.

You will oversee the full process from opportunity identification through final submission, coordinating input from multiple departments and ensuring accuracy, compliance and timely delivery in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Experience developing and managing proposals, RFP responses or other high-stakes submissions.
• Exceptional writing, editing and proofreading skills.
• Strong project-management abilities and the discipline to manage multiple contributors, priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent attention to detail, organization and follow-through.
• Ability to interpret complex requirements and translate them into an effective response strategy.
• A strong command of Apple systems, including macOS and Keynote.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud applications (Acrobat, InDesign).
• Strong presentation-development skills and visual storytelling understanding.
• Good design sense, including layout, typography, visual hierarchy and brand consistency.
• Experience in advertising, marketing, communications or professional services preferred.
• Comfort collaborating with agency leadership.

Responsibilities

• Monitor RFP databases, procurement platforms and other sources to identify opportunities.
• Evaluate opportunities and determine strongest strategic fit for the agency.
• Manage the proposal process from assessment to final submission.
• Review each RFP for requirements, criteria, deliverables and deadlines.
• Develop customized, persuasive proposal content communicating capabilities and advantages.
• Create schedules, assign responsibilities and coordinate input from leadership and departments.
• Keep contributors on schedule and ensure materials are received and approved.
• Organize information into clear, engaging presentations.
• Ensure proposals are accurate, responsive and compliant with requirements.
• Manage version control, proofreading, production and submission through portals.
• Maintain a library of credentials, case studies, references and materials.
• Track activity, outcomes and win rates to improve processes.

Skills

Proposal development

RFP responses

Persuasive writing

Project management

Attention to detail

macOS

Keynote

Acrobat

InDesign

Presentation skills

Tools

Keynote

InDesign

Acrobat

Job description

The Zimmerman Agency is seeking a talented, highly organized New Business Proposal Manager to lead the development and submission of new business proposals and responses to Requests for Proposals.

This is a hands‑on role for someone who combines persuasive writing, strategic thinking and disciplined project management.

The New Business Proposal Manager will oversee the entire process—from identifying and evaluating opportunities to developing compelling responses and ensuring every submission is complete, polished, compliant and delivered on time.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor RFP databases, procurement platforms and other sources to identify potential new business opportunities.
• Evaluate opportunities and help determine which accounts and assignments are the strongest strategic fit for the agency.
• Manage the proposal process from initial opportunity assessment through final submission.
• Review each RFP to identify requirements, evaluation criteria, deliverables, deadlines and potential challenges.
• Develop customized, persuasive proposal content that clearly communicates the agency’s capabilities, experience and competitive advantages.
• Create project schedules, assign responsibilities and coordinate input from agency leadership and multiple departments.
• Keep contributors on schedule and ensure all required materials are received, reviewed and approved.
• Organize complex information into clear, compelling and visually engaging presentations.
• Ensure every proposal is accurate, responsive and fully compliant with all submission requirements.
• Manage version control, proofreading, final production and submission through client procurement portals.
• Maintain an organized library of agency credentials, case studies, team biographies, references, certifications and proposal materials.
• Track proposal activity, outcomes, feedback and win rates to continually improve the agency’s new business process.

Qualifications

• Experience developing and managing proposals, RFP responses, business‑development presentations or other high‑stakes submissions.
• Exceptional writing, editing and proofreading skills.
• Strong project‑management abilities and the discipline to manage multiple contributors, priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent attention to detail, organization and follow‑through.
• The ability to interpret complex requirements and translate them into an effective response strategy.
• A strong command of Apple systems, including macOS and Keynote.
• Proficiency with relevant Adobe Creative Cloud applications, particularly Acrobat and InDesign.
• Strong presentation‑development skills and an understanding of visual storytelling.
• A good design sense, including an understanding of layout, typography, visual hierarchy and brand consistency.
• Experience within an advertising, marketing, communications, public relations or professional‑services organization is preferred.
• The confidence and professionalism to collaborate directly with agency leadership.

The Person We’re Looking For:

You are a strong writer, a strategic thinker and a relentless organizer. You understand that a successful proposal does more than answer questions—it presents a compelling case for why the agency is the right partner.

You are proactive, resourceful and comfortable taking ownership. You anticipate what is needed, keep people and projects moving, and remain composed when deadlines are tight. You take pride in producing work that is thoughtful, accurate, persuasive and exceptionally well presented.

Why The Zimmerman Agency?

The Zimmerman Agency is a fully integrated marketing communications firm where strategy, creative, media, digital, public relations, social and analytics work together to build momentum for our clients.

As Proposal Manager, you will play a direct role in identifying the agency’s next opportunities and bringing together the strategy, credentials and creative thinking that demonstrate what makes The Zimmerman Agency different.

If you know how to turn complex requirements into compelling opportunities—and have the determination to move each proposal successfully across the finish line—we would like to hear from you!