Senior Proposal Specialist

GFT; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Comprehensive benefits including welln

401(k) savings plan

Job summary

GFT is seeking a Senior Proposal Specialist to join our BD&M team to lead proposals for Transportation, Construction Services, Buildings and Places, and other teams. The role can be based in Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, or Austin, TX, and emphasizes strategic thinking, creative problem solving, and strong organizational skills.

You will collaborate with technical teams, craft win-focused materials, mentor junior staff, and help shape our business development.

Qualifications

• 4-year degree in Marketing, Communications, or applicable field.
• Minimum 5 years of combined proposal experience in the AEC industry.
• Experience with TxDOT or major metro cities preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex proposals from kickoff to final submission.
• Develop win themes, executive summaries, and tailored client sections.
• Coordinate with subject matter experts and designers for visuals.
• Mentor junior BD staff and drive process improvements.

Skills

Proposal experience

CRM tools

Adobe InDesign

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, or applicable field

Tools

Adobe InDesign

MS Office Suite

Job description

What You Will Do

GFT is seeking a Senior Proposal Specialist to join our BD&M team within the Midwest! In this role, you will apply strategic thinking, creative problem-solving, and strong organizational skills to support pursuits for our Transportation, Construction Services, Buildings and Places, and other teams. The position can be based in Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, or Austin, TX!

Preferred experience with TxDOT and major metros (or similar clients)

This role blends proposal leadership, capture planning, interview development, and client service—and offers opportunities to mentor junior staff, contribute to process improvements, and help shape the future of our business development efforts.

GFT Shared Service Services team, which includes Human Resources, Legal, Accounting & Finance, IT Services and Marketing & Communications, are essential for managing and supporting the company's global operations. Shared Services are part of a broader strategy to transform the business and improve efficiency. The support of this amazing team of professionals, is the backbone of our ability to deliver infrastructure consulting and design services.

What You’ll Be Challenged To Do

The Senior Proposal Specialist manages proposals and presentations, provides capture support, and may assist with client management support. The position supports one or more regional business lines or a global business line.

In this capacity, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

The Senior Proposal Specialist will lead the planning, development, and delivery of compelling, compliant, and client-focused proposals, qualifications, and presentations. You will collaborate with technical teams, subject matter experts, and marketing resources to craft materials that win.

Capture Planning

• Lead standard- and strategic-level pursuits, driving capture kick-offs, follow-up meetings, and early positioning discussions.
• Conduct research into clients, competitors, and markets to inform win themes and pursuit strategies.
• Draft pre-RFP content to support strategic positioning.
• Determine resource needs for assigned pursuits.
• Collaborate with BD leadership to ensure consistent implementation of best practices.

Proposal Management

• Lead complex proposals from initial request to final submission.
• Analyze SOQs/RFPs to prepare compliance matrices, schedules, and outlines.
• Facilitate and participate in kick-off meetings, milestone reviews, and client debriefs.
• Develop client-focused proposal sections including cover letters, executive summaries, personnel bios, project descriptions, firm overviews, and subconsultant qualifications.
• Edit technical approaches for narrative clarity, structure, and alignment with visual messaging.
• Partner with graphic designers to develop custom visuals and infographics that reinforce win themes.
• Coordinate and prepare interview teams, including scheduling, content preparation, and rehearsals.
• Track all opportunities and deliverables in CRM.

Client Service Team Support

• Support Tier I client management activities in collaboration with BD Client Service Leaders; serve as BD Partner for Tier II/III clients.
• Conduct client research (contract awards, budgets, press coverage, events) to inform pursuit strategies.
• Prepare client meeting materials, capabilities briefings, and targeted marketing collateral.

BD Data, Processes & Innovation

• Participate in or lead working groups focused on improving BD systems, processes, and tools.
• Use approved AI tools for writing, research, and proposal efficiency; collaborate with leadership on new use cases.

Collaboration & Mentorship

• Manage communications, delegate tasks, and monitor progress to ensure deadlines are met.
• Mentor junior BD staff, providing feedback and coaching to support their professional growth.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive team culture that values quality, consistency, and best practices.

Education | Experience:

What You Will Bring To Our Firm

• Normally a 4-year degree required in Marketing, Communications, or applicable field is required
• Preferred experience with TxDOT or major metro cities.

What We Prefer You Bring

• Minimum of 5 years of combined prior proposal experience is required and preferred in the AEC industry leading, coordinating, planning, and developing proposals and qualifications, including section writing experience.
• Excellent inter-personal and communication skills
• Able to work with some degree of independence to execute proposal lifecycle
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and CRM tools; experience with Adobe InDesign preferred.

Compensation

The salary range for this role is $75,000 - $95,000. Salary is dependent upon experience and geographic location.

Featured Benefits

• Hybrid work environment.
• Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
• Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
• Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations
• Incentive compensation for eligible positions.

Company Overview

At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge. We call this the Infrastructure of Life. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships – that’s why we’re the employer of choice for 5,000+ of the industry’s brightest engineers, planners, architects, inspectors, designers, and more.

Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century’s experience, together we’re building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives.

GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives

is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status or other characteristics protected by law.

Unsolicited resumes from third party agencies will be considered the property GFT.

GFT does require the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions.

Location: Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin

Core Business Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Employment Status: Full-Time