Strategic Pursuits Lead - Water

BKF Engineers; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 94,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salaries

401k

Education reimbursement

Paid annual dues for professional organizations

Generous paid time off

Job summary

BKF Engineers is seeking a Strategic Pursuits Lead in Santa Barbara, California. This role is vital for leading the development of strategic pursuit plans and enhancing BKF's reputation in water resilience.

The ideal candidate should possess strong marketing acumen, 5+ years of relevant experience, and a commitment to sustainability. Skills in leading proposals for water infrastructure projects are essential. BKF offers competitive salaries and benefits.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in Senior Marketing Coordinator/Specialist or Business Development role.
• Strong understanding of water sustainability and environmental stewardship.
• Proficient in proposal management software and relevant software.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic pursuit plans for major market projects.
• Mentor and train junior staff in proposal best practices.
• Conduct go/no-go assessments and vet RFPs/Qs.

Skills

Proposal management software

InDesign

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Marketing knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or related field

Job description

Overview

BKF is seeking a Strategic Pursuits Lead to join our team. The ideal candidate has a deep understanding of engineering, planning, design, environmental, and construction management services related to water infrastructure and resilience and a proven track record leading and winning strategic pursuits as a prime consultant. This role is critical to strengthening BKF's reputation as a trusted leader in water resilience and sustainability, helping expand our presence in the water market as a preferred partner for innovative, multi-benefit water solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Market Leadership

• Maintain knowledge of BKF's experience, resume, and service offerings along with competitors, teaming partners, and clients within the water market
• Lead the development and execution of strategic pursuit plans for major market projects independently and for other proposals and interviews, as assigned
• Identify and analyze market trends, client needs, and competitive landscape to inform pursuit strategies
• Understand and develop relationships with key teaming partners
• Collaborate with internal teams, including business development, project management, and technical experts, to develop compelling and competitive proposals
• Maintain accurate data for pursuits, from “go” to award/loss in Vantagepoint
• Maintain a database of competitor proposals and best-practice examples to continually advance and enhance BKF's pursuit strategies, enabling the firm to outperform competitors and strengthen its position in the industry
• Cultivate a practice of continual improvement by learning from feedback gathered from proposal debriefs and comments during QA/QC reviews, and other available sources
• Mentor and train junior staff in pursuit and proposal best practices
• Periodic travel between offices and other locations may be required

Pursuit Development

• Understand and implement BKF's Pursuit to Win process and program
• Foster and maintain relationships with key clients, industry partners, and stakeholders
• Conduct go/no-go assessments and provide recommendations to senior leadership
• Review and vet RFPs/Qs, identifying key requirements, win themes, risks, and compliance needs
• Understand various submittal requirements, such as Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) outreach and participation requirements
• Independently manage the proposal process from inception to submission, ensuring high-quality, compliant deliverables
• Conduct proposal kick-off meetings and coordinate internal pursuit teams
• Develop and present pursuit strategies and proposal content to internal and external audiences
• Lead and develop interview strategy, including selecting participants, producing presentations, talking points, and interview preparation
• Lead QA/QC reviews for proposals and interview materials
• Experience with both non-standard and SF330 proposal formats
• Tailor team resumes, project descriptions, and other qualification materials
• Occasional flexible working hours may be required

Master Marketing Database

• Maintain library of project experience, photos, resumes, and materials aligned with the Water Market Sector
• Identify high-impact project experience and photos to be added to the website
• Coordinate the acquisition or development of project photos, visualizations, renderings, and other graphics collateral in support of strategic pursuits

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Communications, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years in a Senior Marketing Coordinator/Specialist or Business Development role positioning for, leading, and successfully winning highly competitive prime proposals for water resources projects.
• Strong understanding of project types specific to the assigned market or sector, with the ability to accurately interpret scopes of work and align opportunities with BKF's expertise and qualifications
• Demonstrated commitment to water sustainability, environmental stewardship, climate resilience, and community impact, with a strong desire to continue learning and growing in these areas
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Proven ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and manage multiple priorities
• Highly proficient in proposal management software, InDesign, and other relevant software
• Demonstrated success in leading and winning proposals in the Water Market Sector
• Strong understanding of Standard Form 330 Submittals, Non-Standard submittals, disadvantage/local business compliance forms and outreach procedures, and federal forms
• Strong understanding of the infrastructure market including water, stormwater, and wastewater projects.

Benefits

• The typical base salary range for this position is $94,000 - $140,000 annualized, depending upon skills, experience, education, and geographical location. This is a salary position paid biweekly.
• Competitive salaries, profit sharing, and 401k
• Generous paid time off packages
• 9 Paid Holidays
• Education reimbursement, Paid annual dues for professional and societal organizations
• BKF offers competitive and award-winning benefits and perks. To learn more click here.

BKF Engineers provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

BKF Engineers does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement and a specific solicitation for the position or other approved engagement request for the position with BKF Engineers, BKF Engineers reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited submittals are done at the risk of the recruiter.