Proposal Manager Team Lead, Strategic Pursuits

Overview

Proposal Manager Team Lead, Strategic Pursuits at HDR. HDR is an employee-owned company committed to an inclusive environment and making a positive impact. This role partners with the Transportation Business Group Strategic Pursuit Leaders, reports to the Strategic Pursuits Team Lead, and may have direct reports. The individual will help ensure the proposal management team produces winning, professional, and competitive proposals for high-visibility opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Work with all TBG Strategic Pursuit Leaders on a consistent basis to understand needs and levels of support for pre-positioning and proposal production phases.
• Supervise the proposal managers across all strategic pursuits, including determining travel needs.
• Understand active pursuit and proposal schedules to adjust work assignments and ensure coverage across the operation.
• Coordinate and complete parts of a pursuit or proposal phase deliverables, adding staff when deliverables are voluminous, complex, or under tight deadlines.
• Mentor proposal managers on improving proposal execution processes and the use of production tools, including interpersonal communication, time management, and conflict management.
• Conduct routine performance appraisals for team members.
• Serve as a Proposal Manager where appropriate.

Proposal Management & Coordination

• Foster a self-directed, accountable team culture delivering high-quality, review-ready materials.
• Lead the full proposal lifecycle from kickoff through final production and interview, owning all deliverables and a smooth process.
• Develop and manage pursuit tools (schedules, compliance matrices, templates, dashboards); capture meeting notes and action items; translate client priorities into a focused capture plan.
• Review and interpret RFPs to create clear, actionable compliance matrices guiding proposal development.
• Coordinate input from internal teams and external subconsultants; maintain alignment and clear communication.
• Track progress, manage deadlines, and adjust priorities to keep deliverables on schedule.
• Support content development by preparing early drafts, capturing meeting notes, and distilling key themes into a focused capture plan.
• Proactively communicate workload needs and availability.

Content Development & Quality

• Write, edit, and format non-technical proposal content for clarity and consistency.
• Collaborate with specialized experts to write and visualize technical approaches and project understanding information.
• Develop qualifications, bios, data, forms, and terms to be accurate and compliant.
• Support storyboarding, benefit statements, message development, project profiles, and other materials to demonstrate aligned qualifications and differentiators.
• Research project backgrounds and tailor content accordingly.
• Author and review draft proposal text for consistency, brand voice, and grammar.
• Translate risks/issues into PSOE (problem, solution, outcome, evidence) tables and work with designers to create reader-friendly visuals.
• Identify gaps in draft text based on capture planning and RFP requirements.

Visual & Layout Skills

• Format documents with strong reader-friendly graphic/layout skills using InDesign; intermediate level with potential for growth to advanced.
• Coordinate with marketing resources and designers; communicate progress to the pursuit leader.
• Develop draft presentations and visuals with technical leads; work with designers to produce clear visuals.
• Provide direction and timely communication to achieve high-quality deliverables.
• Develop materials such as interactive presentations and leave-behinds to communicate key messages and differentiators.

Quality Control & Compliance Checks

• Create schedules and time blocks to conduct reviews of content and graphics during production.
• Monitor progress to ensure internal deadlines and quality processes are met.
• Work with Strategic Pursuit leaders to meet expectations for quality materials, including graphics and formatting.
• Perform or request support for technical editing and compliance reviews to ensure grammatical accuracy and alignment with RFP requirements.
• Continuously improve processes for producing high-quality materials.

Pre-positioning, Collateral & Material Management

• Research project background and keep data organized in collaborative platforms.
• Gather and refine resumes, project information, histories, photographs, and other data to support differentiating sections.
• Develop materials such as interactive presentations and brand-specific deliverables to support messaging.
• Engage leadership in coordinating and analyzing market, client, and project research.
• Partner with marketing to develop sector qualifications and collateral for positioning prior to an RFP release.

Continuous Process Improvements

• Learn, use, and teach AI tools and software to improve efficiency and quality.
• Support proposal quality by monitoring against best practices and industry standards.
• Contribute to debriefs and continuous improvement; serve as a subject matter expert and adhere to HDR procedures and best practices.

Skill Aptitude

• Interpersonal: strong organizational skills, ability to prioritize multiple projects, meet deadlines, and communicate effectively; detail-oriented and brand-conscious; adaptable and collaborative; strong problem-solving and relationship-building.
• Computer Skills: proficient in Word, PowerPoint, Teams/SharePoint, OneNote; intermediate InDesign, Excel, Photoshop, Illustrator; experience with CRMs (Salesforce, Oscar, Watson, PSDM) and collaborative tools.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years relevant industry experience
• Self-starter with history of completing projects with limited oversight
• Experience in sales and developing win strategies
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign)
• Deep knowledge of A/E/C procurement of professional services
• Ability to motivate and inspire others
• Experience in winning high-value contracts in the A/E/C industry
• Experience in writing compelling content from technical staff input

What We Believe

HDR is our company. We build on life experiences and perspectives to enable great work, foster collaboration, and connect with clients and communities.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we create an inclusive environment where everyone is welcomed, valued, respected, and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. HDR supports eight Employee Network Groups and provides a comprehensive benefits package with medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, EAP, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, retirement savings with employer match, referrals, and tuition reimbursement. Compensation varies by location and will be disclosed during the interview process.

Primary Location: United States-Colorado-Denver

Other Locations: United States multiple locations across the country listed in the original posting.

EEO Notice

HDR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, arrest or conviction records.

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