Senior Manager, Proposals

Bright Horizons; Ohio; Remote; USD 98,000 - 101,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in childcare and early education is looking for a Senior Manager, Proposals to manage RFPs and RFIs. The role requires strategic thinking, collaboration with cross-functional teams, and advanced communication skills to create compelling proposal content. You will be responsible for leading complex projects, mentoring proposal writers, and ensuring high-quality submissions aligned with company standards. This fully remote position promises a salary range of $98,000 - $101,000 annually plus benefits.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Life insurance

Long-term and short-term disability insurance

9 paid holidays annually

40 hours of sick time per year

120 hours of vacation time per year

Qualifications

• 7 years of RFP/RFI experience required, preferably in B2B.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven track record of managing RFx strategy on an enterprise level.

Responsibilities

• Engage with sales teams to refine strategy for RFI/RFP submissions.
• Develop project timelines and manage contributor roles.
• Ensure accuracy by maintaining understanding of company data.
• Mentor and document RFx response management processes.

Skills

Advanced writing skills

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Proposal management

Education

Bachelor's Degree in English, Communications, Marketing, Business or related field

Master's Degree in English, Communications, Marketing, Business or related field

APMP certification

Tools

RFx content management applications

Job description

The Senior Manager, Proposals manages the process of responding to large employer requests for proposal (RFPs), requests for information (RFIs), and related materials that help organizations evaluate Bright Horizons' fit as a service provider. The role will primarily be responsible for enterprise-level deals, which requires experience executing against complex RFx processes, ongoing collaboration with large, cross-functional teams, advanced writing and communication skills, and the ability to effectively translate an agreed-upon strategy into a winning sales story. The senior manager will help establish effective RFx processes to track workload, deadlines, internal KPIs, and other data that is essential to monitoring the teams' success. In addition, the role works closely with content database manager(s) to ensure strong two-way processes for continually updating and improving proposal content. The ideal candidate will thrive in fast-paced environments, hold their work to exacting standards, enjoy the challenge of constant evolution, serve as a mentor to other proposal writers on the team, and build and sustain strong internal working relationships.

This is a Remote position available in the United States.

Bright Horizons is trusted by families and employers around the world for high-quality childcare and early education, back-up care, and workplace education. We partner with some of the world’s best companies to provide services that help employees perform their best and support families to thrive both personally and professionally.

Responsibilities

• Engage sales and/or account management teams to refine and document the strategy for each new bid opportunity and reference it as a guidepost for all aspects of an RFI/RFP submission

• Segment the RFP/RFI response project into discrete steps and establish a project timeline that accounts for client deadlines, resource constraints, and level of effort

• Manage contributor and reviewer roles according to the strategy and project timeline

• Develop strong working relationships with all relevant internal subject matter experts (information security, operations, product strategy, legal, and more) that allow us to solicit their input on complex issues in short time frames

• Maintain a strong understanding of company data (along with the associated databases) that support RFx responses in order to ensure accuracy

• Help to ensure a consistent ‘voice’ and response style for Bright Horizons proposals for all buyer segments and service offerings

• Generate first drafts of proposals by drawing from the existing content library and applying account-specific details as warranted

• Coordinate with leaders, content database manager(s) and key stakeholders on the processes for continual updates to the RFx content library, driving ongoing improvements in RFx responses, ensuring RFx response materials positively represent Bright Horizons brand, design standards and include the most up-to-date client value proposition, messaging, and product information

• Provide expertise related to RFx reporting and analysis, including measures of both effectiveness and efficiency; report key learnings to relevant stakeholders and identify opportunities for improvement by comparing strategy and tactics to deal outcomes

• Create, document, and mentor teams on a formal process for RFx response management, acknowledging differences by service and buyer type

• Maintain a strong connect with RFx industry best practices (e.g. APMP), working closely with other team members to implement and continuous improve our RFx approach

• Exemplify and foster the Bright Horizons culture and HEART Principles in all work functions and internal interactions

Minimum Job Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in English, Communications, Marketing, Business orrelated field

• 7 years of RFP/RFI experience, preferably in the B2B and sales enablement space - Required

Additional Job Requirements

• Master's Degree in English, Communications, Marketing, Business orrelated field
• APMP certification

• Competent in core sales concepts including buyer personas, value propositions, and differentiation
• Strategic thinker, with demonstrated ability linking buyer needs with service capabilities
• Strong verbal and written communications skills with the proven ability to translate a sales strategy into compelling, differentiated, concise and cohesive proposal language
• Proven track record of managing RFx strategy on an enterprise level, spanning multiple distinct product lines
• Ability to cultivate strong internal working relationships and work cohesively through time-sensitive projects
• Prior experience working with and mentoring colleagues as a part of a high-performing proposal team
• Demonstrated success developing RFx processes that deliver predictability, high quality responses, and strong win rates
• Fluent in RFx KPIs development, reporting, and analysis
• Proficient with RFx content management applications

At this time, Bright Horizons will not sponsor an applicant for employment authorization/visa for this position.

The annual salary for this position is between $98,000 - 101,000 annually. The pay range listed here is what Bright Horizons in good faith anticipates offering for this job opening. Actual compensation offers within this range will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education and training, certifications, geography, and other relevant business or organizational factors.

Benefits:

Bright Horizons offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• 401(k) retirement plan

• Life insurance

• Long-term and short-term disability insurance

Also, depending on hire date and subject to applicable eligibility requirements and accrual schedules, new employees in this role receive up to: 9 paid holidays annually; 40 hours of sick time per year based on full-time schedule, and 120hours of vacation time per year based on full-time schedule(vacation time may be used for sick leave purposes under any applicable state or local sick or safe time law).

Deadline to Apply:

This posting is anticipated to remain open until 6/13/2025.

Life at Bright Horizons:

Our people are the heart of our company. Because we’re as committed to our own employees as we are to the children, families, and clients we serve, our collaborative workplaces are designed to grow careers and support personal lives. Come build a brighter future with us.

Bright Horizons provides equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law. Bright Horizons complies with the laws and regulations described in the following federal government resources: Know Your Rights, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA).

If you require assistance or a reasonable accommodation in completing these application materials or any aspect of the application and hiring process, please contact the recruitment helpdesk at 855-877-6866 or [e-mail]. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.