Associate Proposal Manager

The Associate Proposal Manager supports the development of compliant, compelling, and competitive federal proposals from pre-RFP planning through final submission. This role partners with Capture Managers, business leaders, technical contributors, and proposal team members to manage proposal activities, support strategy execution, ensure compliance with solicitation requirements, and deliver high-quality proposal submissions. This is an entry-level, developmental role. IGS provides training and mentorship (including Shipley-based processes and APMP certification) to prepare Associate Proposal Managers to progress to Proposal Manager.

The ideal candidate brings some exposure to proposals, capture, contracts, or another deadline-driven environment, a strong interest in federal procurement, strong organizational and communication skills, and the ability to coordinate multiple contributors in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

[Remote / Hybrid]; must reside in the Eastern Time Zone (ET)

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Manage the development of assigned federal proposals from kickoff through submission, including amendments, Q&A responses, change pages, modifications, and Final Proposal Revisions (FPRs), as applicable.
• Develop compliant proposal outlines and structures aligned with Section L/M (or equivalent) instructions, evaluation criteria, and proposal strategy.
• Build and maintain proposal schedules, compliance matrices, cross-reference tools, and other proposal management artifacts needed to support successful execution.
• Analyze solicitation requirements and translate them into actionable assignments, annotated outlines, and content development plans.
• Partner with Capture Managers, business leaders, and technical contributors to incorporate win themes, discriminators, and strategic messaging into proposal content, graphics, presentations, and related deliverables.
• Coordinate proposal support across Finance, Contracts, HR, IT, Security, Legal, Quality, Small Business, and operational teams, as needed.
• Support proposal reviews, including Pink, Red, Gold, and other color team reviews, and ensure comments are tracked and incorporated appropriately.
• Ensure final proposal products are compliant, accurate, consistent, and aligned across technical, management, past performance, and cost/price volumes.
• Partner with proposal production resources to support final formatting, production, packaging, and submission.
• Identify and elevate proposal risks, gaps, inconsistencies, and schedule challenges throughout the development process.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of proposal processes, templates, standards, and tools across the proposal function.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree; equivalent relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• 1–3 years of experience supporting proposals, capture, contracts, or a related deadline-driven role; federal proposal experience preferred but not required.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously with strong attention to detail.
• Familiarity with FAR-based solicitations (e.g., Section L/M, PWS/SOW) and proposal development best practices.
• Familiarity with proposal schedules, compliance matrices, annotated outlines, and review processes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Strong organizational, coordination, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in SharePoint, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and related proposal development tools.
• Willingness to obtain APMP Foundation certification within the first 180 days of employment.
• Must be a U.S. citizen able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance within the first 90 days of employment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Familiarity with Shipley Proposal Processes
• Experience supporting oral presentations and discussion responses.

• Prior exposure supporting Federal proposals, capture, or contracts.
• Active Secret security clearance.

TRAVEL:

Up to 20% travel may be required to support proposal activities, reviews, and coordination efforts [e.g., at Intrepid offices or proposal team locations.]

SECURITY CLEARANCE:

Must be a U.S. citizen able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance. An active Secret clearance is preferred. Candidates without an active clearance must complete all required clearance paperwork within the first 30 days of employment and obtain clearance within 90 days.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Primarily computer-based office or remote work, with extended periods of sitting and screen use.
• Periodic extended hours, including occasional evenings and weekends, to meet proposal deadlines.