Proposal Manager, Justice + Civic

DLR Group; Cleveland (OH); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401(k) plan

Employee stock ownership

Paid time off

Job summary

An integrated design firm is seeking a Proposal Manager for the Justice + Civic sector. The role is hybrid, and the candidate will lead production of proposal deliverables, coordinate teams, and ensure compliance with branding. A bachelor's degree and significant proposal experience, ideally in the AEC industry, is required. The salary range is competitive, with extensive benefits including a 401(k) plan and employee ownership.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in a professional services environment, preferably the AEC industry.
• Experience leading successful SF330s and RFQ/P responses.
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple concurrent deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Lead production of compliant deliverables from RFP receipt to interview completion.
• Inspire multi-disciplinary teams to develop persuasive content.
• Record project and team information in the database.

Skills

Proposal writing

Project management

Communication

Adobe Creative Suite

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Communications, English

Tools

Adobe InDesign

Microsoft PowerPoint

Deltek Vantagepoint

Job description

Proposal Manager, Justice + Civic

DLR Group is an integrated design firm with a promise to elevate the human experience through design. This fuels the work we do around the world and inspires our mission to improve the lives of our clients, our communities, and our planet. If this sparks your interest, you’re in the right place.

Role

We have an opening for a Proposal Manager, Justice+Civic. The position operates within a hybrid work model, supporting flexibility between office time and work from home. The role could be based in any of the following cities:

• Chicago, IL
• Cleveland, OH
• Dallas, TX
• Denver, CO
• Overland Park, KS
• Minneapolis, MN
• Omaha, NE
• Phoenix, AR
• Riverside, CA
• Scaremato, CA

About the Marketing Sector at DLR Group

At DLR Group, the Marketing team provides strategic support in pursuit of new opportunities and the development of marketing materials. By leveraging a deep understanding of market trends and client needs, the team highlights the firm’s expertise and resonates with prospective clients.

Position Summary

The Proposal Manager leads the pursuit process and production of on-time, brand standard‑compliant deliverables (statement of qualification, request for proposal response, and interviews) from RFP receipt to interview completion for the firm. The Proposal Manager will lead and produce their own pursuits while delegating and coordinating the production of specific supporting content.

What You Will Do

• Manage multiple concurrent pursuits to on‑time, compliant delivery with little oversight.
• Inspire a multi‑disciplinary pursuit team (designers, project managers, client leaders, and creative services) to leverage business development intelligence, develop a persuasive win theme, and deliver content in support of the client’s needs.
• Synthesize complex information streams into compelling written responses to client needs and RFP requirements; edit written content from the pursuit team (designers, client leader, etc.) to match brand voice and professional style.
• Coach project team on presentation best practices to support win in an interview setting.
• Support DLR Group’s shortlist and win rate goals, with a strong conversion strategy and execution.
• Support DLR Group’s ROI goals and BD framework by identifying Random Acts of Marketing (RAM) and adhering to strong process management.
• Record discovered project and people information in the firm’s database (Vantagepoint) to ensure institutional knowledge.
• Develop and leverage your knowledge base – including industry research, business development intelligence, firm capabilities, and market sector expertise – to inform win strategies, add value, and increase the likelihood of winning.
• Champion DLR Group as a best‑in‑class brand by completing comprehensive quality control checks on materials.
• Collaborate with pursuit teams to produce and maintain an up‑to‑date library of on‑brand pursuit materials including resumes, project plates, and boilerplate information to facilitate effective and efficient workflows across the team; include proactive content capture following submittal.
• Work with graphic design teams on key pursuits to develop custom, on‑brand visual assets that support defined win themes.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Communications, English, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience creating, writing, and editing proposals in a professional services environment, preferably the AEC industry.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, especially InDesign; proficiency in Microsoft Suite, including PowerPoint and Teams; familiarity with information gathering from a database, Deltek Vantagepoint (preferred).
• Eligibility to work in the United States without needing a work visa or residency sponsorship.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Experience leading a pursuit process to win work with / familiarity with the needs of and relevant messaging for private clients including Fortune 500 companies, major hotel brands/flags, and commercial real estate developers.
• Experience leading successful SF330s and RFQ/P responses for government and public entities.
• Demonstrate a sense of urgency to manage and prioritize multiple concurrent deadlines.
• Attention to detail and an ability to craft deliverables that comply with RFP requirements while creatively expressing the DLR Group brand and differentiators.
• Critical thinker who can quickly evaluate needs and recommend responsive solutions.
• Strong project and people management skills – the ability to quickly build consensus, and positively "manage up" to get senior-level individuals to support established processes with input and insight in a timely manner.

Benefits

Our comprehensive benefits at DLR Group include medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, flex spending, paid holidays, and paid time off. We also offer a 401(k) plan, employee stock ownership, and bonus opportunities.

Pay Range

$75,000 - $105,000 USD (based on location, experience, and skills)

DLR Group follows a four‑day in‑office work model, with employees having the flexibility to work somewhere other than the office on Fridays. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/M/F/Veteran/Disabled employer.

We are 100% employee‑owned: every employee is literally invested in our clients’ success. At the core of our firm are interdisciplinary teams engaged in every step of project lifecycles. Our teams champion true collaboration, open information sharing, shared risk and reward, value‑based decision making, and proficient use of technology to deliver exceptional design. We are pursuing the goals of the 2030 Challenge, the ME2040, and the SE2050, and are an initial signatory of the China Accord and the AIA 2030 Commitment.
Through our values – commitment, creativity, environmental stewardship, fun, integrity, ownership, sharing, teamwork – we elevate the human experience through design, together.