Senior Proposal Manager

Peraton; Herndon, Northern (VA, KY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Peraton in Herndon, VA is seeking an experienced Proposal Manager to lead multi-discipline teams through the full lifecycle of complex proposals. You will direct writers, volume leads, and consultants, aligning capture and BD inputs to deliver high‑quality, compliant submissions.

The role requires a strong track record in winning proposals, mentoring staff, and managing shifting schedules, often including evenings and weekends. US citizenship is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 12+ years of relevant experience in proposal management.
• 6+ years of track record in winning proposals valued at $200M+.
• Proficient MS Office applications including SharePoint.
• Proven ability to lead teams, resolve conflicts and marshal resources.
• Experience guiding compliant, compelling, winning proposals.
• Mentoring staff and coaching proposal newcomers.
• Ability to work with minimal direction and manage multiple tasks.
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends when required.
• US Citizenship is required.

Responsibilities

• Direct proposal development activities from RFP receipt to delivery.
• Coordinate Proposal Volume Leads, writers and consultants.
• Collaborate with Capture Manager, Business Development, and Lead Solution Architect.
• Lead staff and coordinators, contributing to writing efforts when needed.
• Ensure AI tool usage for content creation and reviews is understood.
• Maintain momentum on proposals in low-resource or ambiguous environments.
• Monitor amendments and maintain compliance with requirements.

Skills

Proposal leadership

Team building

Conflict resolution

Multi-tasking

Excellent communication

US Citizenship

Education

Bachelor's degree

APMP Certification

Tools

MS Office

SharePoint

Job description

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and minimum of 12+ years’ relevant professional experience as Proposal Manager.
• 6+ years of successful track record winning proposal efforts valued at $200Mor more.
• Proficiency MS Office business applications to include SharePoint.
• Must have proven proposal leadership skills, with the ability to build a strong team, effectively resolve conflict, and vector appropriate resources to maximize proposal development.
• Must have experience in keeping a team focused and moving toward developing a compliant, compelling, competitive, winning document.
• Must have extensive experience in mentoring and coaching less experienced staff and (proposal inexperienced) senior operations staff who are writing proposals for the first time.
• Must be able to work with little direction and manage multiple tasks.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule, which may include evenings and weekends when required.
• US Citizenship

Desired Qualifications:

• APMP Certification
• Experience collaborating with Senior, Corporate leadership
• Active TS level security clearance with SCI eligibility.

Peraton is seeking an experienced Proposal Manager to work in our Herndon VA office. This position is eligible for our generous bonus incentive plan, based on wins.

The Proposal Manager is responsible for all aspects of proposal development efforts to include directing and coordinating activities of Proposal Volume Leads, writers, and consultants to produce high-quality, winning proposals. The Proposal Manager is responsible for working closely with the Capture Manager, Business Development Executive, and Lead Solution Architect to develop and articulate technical and management solutions for proposals, whitepapers, oral presentations, and other business materials.This individual will be responsible for leading proposal staff and proposal coordinators and contributing to proposal development writing efforts, when required. Peraton uses an Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool for content creation, compliance, reviews, etc., so familiarity with AI is desired.

Strong communication skills are required as the individual will work with Sector and Business Area personnel, proposal coordinators, and consultants, as well as Teammates to create compelling documents. Finally, the Proposal Manager should be a strong self-starter with the ability to take initiative, make informed decisions, and maintain momentum on proposals even in low-resource or ambiguous environments.

Responsibilities

Manage all aspects of proposal development (proposal writing, editing, illustration, production efforts, etc.) from assignment and receipt of RFP, through delivery and receipt by the customer.

• Assist in identifying and securing the resources necessary to develop the proposal.
• Analyze solicitations (RFP, RFQ, RFI, etc.) in conjunction with other customer requirements and communications and determine final document structure.
• Prepare detailed proposal plans, schedule outline and compliance matrix for assigned pursuits.
• Strong organizational management skills and attention to detail are essential attributes.
• Coordinate and lead major project meeting events, such as Kick-off Meetings, Strategy Meetings, Color Team Reviews, etc.
• Assist with/lead effective content development (storyboarding) and development of strategic strengths and discriminators.
• Develop and manage a proposal schedule.
• Meet established deliverables and production deadlines (working with Proposal Coordinator if assigned).
• Provide detailed guidance to proposal writers/contributors and subcontractors.
• Manage writing assignments and receipt of all proposal materials with authors and teaming partners in accordance with the project timeline.
• Support and ensure proposal center processes are followed, standard style guide is used, and documents are submitted in accordance with established guidelines.
• Manage the collection and editing of proposal materials to ensure compliance.
• Ensure proposals are compliant with all section L&M or similar instructions/requirements.
• Communicate proposal-related requirements and status with senior management, as appropriate.
• Monitor and remain current on all amendments and modifications to the solicitation.