Strategic Proposal Lead — National RFPs

Health Care Service Corp.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 62,000 - 136,000; Full time

Job summary

Health Care Service Corp. (HCSC) seeks an experienced Proposal Writer/Manager to lead national RFP responses from kickoff to submission, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and compelling messaging across client requirements.

You will partner with Sales, Account Management, Underwriting and other departments to shape strategy, craft proposal content, maintain a reusable library, train junior writers, and manage multiple bids under tight deadlines in a fast-paced, healthcare-focused environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, English, Journalism or related field and 5 years of proposal management experience specifically in the national/major or public sector OR 9 years of proposal writing / management experience in the national/major or public sector
• Demonstrated experience in leading high-profile, highly complex RFPs for large, national employer groups
• Must be proficient in quickly reviewing and analyzing proposal solicitations and related documents to pull out all pertinent information
• Demonstrated experience autonomously leading and developing highly customized proposal responses tailored to the client
• Conceptualize content, gather information/data, key messages, positioning and articulate in a single tone and consistent tense
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral) with ability to interface and work effectively as part of a team and cross-functionally
• Demonstrated ability to autonomously lead the proposal process from beginning to end, while working multiple RFPs/projects simultaneously
• PC skills and experience in Microsoft products
• Verbal and written communication skills to complete Response for Proposals, coordinate activities with many departments, and incorporate layman terms in the proposal
• Demonstrated project management, organizing, planning and scheduling
• Demonstrated creative and business writing skills

Responsibilities

• Lead proposal development from RFP to submission, ensuring compliance with client requirements
• Collaborate with Sales, Account Management, Underwriting and other internal departments to shape strategy and messaging
• Maintain content for a proposal-ready library and reusable templates
• Provide drafting and editing support to ensure clear, persuasive proposals
• Mentor, train, and assist junior Proposal Writers
• Manage multiple bids simultaneously under tight deadlines
• Review and edit proposals for clarity, accuracy and quality

Skills

Proposal leadership

Stakeholder collaboration

Analytical reading of RFPs

Strong written communication

Project management

Time management

Interpersonal skills

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, English, Journalism or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Proposal management software (Responsive/Loopio/Qvidian)

Job description

Health Care Service Corp. (HCSC) seeks an experienced Proposal Writer/Manager to lead national RFP responses from kickoff to submission, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and compelling messaging across client requirements.

You will partner with Sales, Account Management, Underwriting and other departments to shape strategy, craft proposal content, maintain a reusable library, train junior writers, and manage multiple bids under tight deadlines in a fast-paced, healthcare-focused environment.