Proposal Specialist

Southland Industries; Tempe (AZ); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan with 50% company match

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Annual bonus program

Paid parental leave

Training/professional development opportunities

Job summary

Southland Industries is looking for a Proposal Specialist in Tempe, Arizona, to lead the development of proposals for construction opportunities. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's Degree and at least 2 years of relevant experience in writing and editing. Strong proficiency in Adobe InDesign and Microsoft Office 365 is required. This role also involves collaboration with various teams and managing multiple projects in a fast-paced environment. Benefits include a 401(k) plan with company match, medical insurance, and paid parental leave.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years' experience in writing, preparing documents, and marketing materials.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage complex documents and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Lead proposal development for service and construction opportunities.
• Coordinate with technical teams to gather necessary information.
• Plan and manage proposal schedules and content assignments.

Skills

Writing and editing

Communication

Organization

Problem-solving

Collaboration

Adobe InDesign

Microsoft Office 365

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Communications, Graphic Design, or Business Administration

Tools

Adobe InDesign

Microsoft Office 365

Unanet

Asana

Job description

Position Summary

Join Southland’s team of Proposal Specialists and play a key role in supporting our business development efforts. In this role, you will lead the development of proposals, qualifications packages, and interview materials for service and construction opportunities. Working closely with technical staff, service account managers, and marketing team members, you will help create clear and compelling pursuit materials that showcase Southland’s expertise and value to our clients. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys collaborating across teams, managing a variety of projects, and developing high-quality, engaging content in a fast‑paced environment.

Position Details

• Develop and produce professional proposals in response to Requests for Proposals and Requests for Qualifications (RFP/RFQ) for service and construction opportunities using Adobe InDesign.
• Review solicitation documents to identify requirements, evaluation criteria, and submission instructions to ensure compliant proposals.
• Coordinate account managers, operations, and technical teams to gather information and develop clear, client‑focused messaging.
• Plan and manage proposal schedules, outlines, and content assignments to ensure milestones are met. Assist in writing, editing, and organizing proposal narratives to ensure accuracy, clarity, and alignment with company messaging and brand standards.
• Collaborate with marketing and graphic design resources to develop layouts and visuals that support proposal content.
• Manage the final review and production process to ensure proposals are complete, accurate, and submitted on time.
• Assist in preparation for client interviews and presentations by developing slide content, printed materials, and supporting practice sessions.
• Develop and maintain proposal resources such as resumes, project descriptions, and standard content to support pursuits. Assist with various marketing and business development activities as needed.
• Collaborate closely with a national team of proposal specialists to support continued growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Communications, Graphic Design, or Business Administration required, or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in writing, editing, and researching to prepare documents, presentations, and marketing materials, including proposals.
• Proficiency in using Adobe InDesign to develop professional proposal and marketing materials.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint.
• Experience with Unanet and Asana is a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to develop clear, persuasive content.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail when managing complex documents and deadlines.
• Ability to prioritize multiple assignments and manage competing deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
• Effective collaboration skills with the ability to work across marketing, business development, and technical teams.
• Strong problem‑solving and critical thinking skills with a proactive, solution‑focused approach.
• Occasional travel required.
• AEC industry experience preferred but not required.

Benefits

• 401(k) plan with 50% company match (no cap) and immediate 100% vesting
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (100% paid for employee)
• Annual bonus program based upon performance, achievement, and company profitability
• Term life, AD&D insurance, and voluntary life insurance
• Disability income protection insurance
• Pre‑tax flexible spending plans (health and dependent care)
• Paid parental leave
• Paid holidays, vacation, and personal time
• Training/professional development opportunities and company‑paid memberships for professional associations and licenses
• Wellness benefits

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Southland Industries and all its subsidiaries are an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing our employees with a safe work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Southland Industries are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, marital status, family care or medical leave status, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Southland Industries will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.