Proposal Writer & Business Development Specialist

Abonmarche; South Bend (IN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Abonmarche in South Bend, IN seeks a motivated Business Development & Proposal Specialist to coordinate proposals, manage grant support, and identify opportunities in markets across engineering and architecture services. You will collaborate with engineers, project managers, and marketing to craft compelling pursuits.

Your role advances client engagement, tracks opportunities, and organizes BD events, requiring strong writing, organization, and stakeholder communication, with emphasis on

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 3+ years in business development, marketing, proposal coordination, or related roles.
• Experience with grant writing and grant administration is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with RFP/RFQ processes and proposal development.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and prepare proposals, qualifications packages, and responses to RFPs/RFQs.
• Support grant application development and administration for local, state, and federal funding programs.
• Research upcoming project opportunities, funding sources, and market trends.
• Collaborates with leadership, engineers, project managers, and marketing staff to develop pursuit strategies and business development initiatives.
• Assists with client relationship management, networking activities, conferences, and industry events.
• Prepares presentations, reports, meeting materials, and business development communications.
• Tracks opportunities, maintain business development databases, and support pursuit planning and reporting.
• Coordinates meetings, proposal kickoffs, strategy sessions, and follow-up activities.
• Organizes business development events.

Skills

Communication

Organization

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business/Marketing/Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

CRM platforms

InDesign

Job description

Abonmarche is a team of professionals who are passionate about helping others – with client service at the core of everything we do. We are a practice of people who are passionate about engineering, architecture, surveying, planning, landscape architecture, and more. Our teams are collaborative, agile, innovative, and focused on creating the best client experience available. The communities and clients we serve know that by working with us, they’re collaborating with a firm that helps foster opportunity.

Working at Abonmarche means you'll have the opportunity to grow, learn, and share your expertise with others. Supported by a mentorship-based culture, our teams are empowered to develop their skillsets and lead transformative work in the communities all across our service areas.

A strong emphasis on community and family means you'll have the chance to engage with your community in your work here at Abonmarche, through our volunteer and philanthropic programs, and within a culture of supportive work-life balance.

We are seeking a Business Development & Proposal Specialist in our South Bend, IN office.

Summary:

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Business Development Specialist to support the growth of our engineering and architecture consulting firm. This role combines business development, proposal coordination, grant support, market research, and client engagement activities. The ideal candidate will be highly organized, possess strong communication skills, and enjoy collaborating with technical professionals, clients, and community stakeholders.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and prepare proposals, qualifications packages, and responses to RFPs/RFQs.
• Support grant application development and administration for local, state, and federal funding programs.
• Research upcoming project opportunities, funding sources, and market trends.
• Collaborates with leadership, engineers, project managers, and marketing staff to develop pursuit strategies and business development initiatives.
• Assists with client relationship management, networking activities, conferences, and industry events.
• Prepares presentations, reports, meeting materials, and business development communications.
• Tracks opportunities, maintain business development databases, and support pursuit planning and reporting.
• Coordinates meetings, proposal kickoffs, strategy sessions, and follow-up activities.
• Organizes business development events.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Engineering, Communications, or a related field preferred.
• 3+ years of experience in business development, marketing, proposal coordination, or related roles, preferably within engineering, architecture, construction, or professional services.
• Experience with grant writing and grant administration is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with RFP/RFQ processes and proposal development.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel and experience with CRM platforms, productivity tools, and InDesign.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled