Senior Proposal Manager with Security Clearance

QinetiQ US; Lorton (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

QinetiQ US is seeking an experienced Senior Proposal Manager to lead end-to-end development, coordination, and submission of complex federal, state, and commercial proposals. The role supports a growing proposal operations and growth organization, aligning with mission needs and win strategies across domestic and international opportunities.

The SPM will mentor teams, manage schedules, and drive color reviews, pricing alignment, and post-proposal activities, ensuring compliant, competitive bids

Qualifications

• 5+ years managing federal government proposals incl. orals.
• Experience with professional services and tech-centric solutions.
• Strong knowledge of FAR/DFARS/ITAR and DoD processes.

Responsibilities

• Mature proposal processes from pre-RFP through post-RFP phases.
• Mentor proposal team, train staff, and expand domestic/international footprint.
• Develop strategies aligned with customer priorities and win themes.
• Manage schedules, outlines, compliance matrices, and review plans.
• Conduct color reviews and incorporate feedback for quality.
• Write and edit executive summaries and technical narratives.
• Lead kickoff meetings to set scope, timelines, and responsibilities.
• Set schedules, build compliance matrices, and coordinate content creators.
• Develop pricing catalog for HWCI components to enable quick orders.
• Manage pricing alignment with technical approach and value.
• Coordinate post-proposal debriefs and lessons learned.
• Interpret requirements of Prime Contractor, US Federal Government, and international solicitations.

Skills

Proposal management

Federal proposals

Writing & editing

MS Word

SharePoint

Pricing & cost

Travel readiness

FAR/DFARS/ITAR knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

MS Word

SharePoint

MS Office

Job description

Position Overview QinetiQ seeks an experienced Senior Proposal Manager (SPM) to directly support one of the business portfolios and a growing proposal operations and growth organization. The SPM leads the end‑to‑end development, coordination, and submission of complex, compliant, and competitive proposals for federal, state, and commercial opportunities within the business unit, ensuring alignment with mission needs and win strategies. The SPM brings a proven track record of successfully leading federal proposals—from ECP/task order responses to large, complex, strategic bids—while also demonstrating experience managing international proposal efforts in support of allied defense, security, or intelligence initiatives. This individual will play a key role in solving challenging missions across both domestic and international government markets.

Responsibilities

• Support maturation of proposal processes, templates, and procedures from pre‑RFP through post‑RFP phases.
• Mentor proposal team members, train staff on best practices, and provide leadership as the company expands its domestic and international footprint.
• Develop and manage proposal strategies that align with customer priorities, DoD procurement processes, RFP requirements, and internal win themes and discriminators
• Manage schedules, outlines, compliance matrices, and review plans to meet all deadlines
• Conduct and facilitate color reviews (Pink, Red, Gold, Green) and incorporate feedback to improve quality and compliance
• Write and edit key proposal sections such as executive summaries, management and technical narratives
• Lead proposal kick‑off meetings to set scope, timelines, and responsibilities for all contributors
• Set schedules, create outlines, build compliance matrices, lead proposal kickoffs, guide content creators, and manage graphics coordination
• Develop and maintain pricing catalogue for HWCI and components to facilitate quick turn sales orders
• Manage pricing alignment with technical approach and value proposition
• Handle post‑proposal activities including debriefs, lessons learned, and follow‑up actions
• Drive the proposal process to meet milestones per corporate processes (e.g., color reviews, DOAs, etc.) and support writing and editing (technical and format)
• Interpret technical and management requirements of Prime Contractor, U.S. Federal Government, and international government solicitations (e.g., RFPs, RFIs, RTEPs).
• Other Duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience managing all phases and components of federal government proposals, including orals.
• Experience writing proposals for professional services and technology‑centric solutions.
• Experience managing GWAC and IDIQ proposals.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced and evolving environment, with flexibility to work extended hours as needed.
• Ability to manage multiple proposals, of various sizes and complexity, simultaneously.
• Ability to manage a SharePoint‑based proposal management system and maintain a repository of high‑quality response templates and gold plate examples (e.g., management plans, transition plans, past performance).
• Strong knowledge of U.S. Federal standards (FAR/DFARS/ITAR etc.), procurement processes, and standard proposal development methodologies.
• Excellent writing and editing skills.
• Expert‑level Microsoft Word proficiency (templates, styles, macros); strong desktop publishing skills.
• Ability to travel up to 25%

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Experience managing proposals as part of a large systems integrator or international defense contractor.
• Proficiency with MS SharePoint.
• Experience with international business development or proposals supporting NATO, FMS, or allied government customers strongly preferred.
• Clearance: Willing and able to secure a Secret clearance.
• Familiarity with proposal responses for international defense/security customers or multinational government partnerships preferred.

Pay Transparency

The salary range for this role is $120,000 - $160,000 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. QinetiQ US considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.