Senior Proposal Manager

Role SummaryNIRA is seeking a Senior Proposal Professional to independently lead and execute complex government proposals. This role owns the proposal process from kickoff through submission and plays a critical role in driving company growth. The ideal candidate is highly detail-oriented, process-driven, and comfortable operating with minimal oversight while managing multiple concurrent pursuits.This is a hands-on role requiring deep experience with government RFPs and the ability to translate technical and operational inputs into clear, compliant, and compelling proposal narratives.Key ResponsibilitiesProposal Leadership & ExecutionOwn the end-to-end proposal lifecycle for federal, state, and local government solicitations (RFPs, RFQs, RFIs, task orders)Develop and manage detailed proposal schedules, compliance matrices, outlines, and production plansLead proposal kickoff meetings and clearly communicate expectations, deadlines, and deliverablesTrack progress daily and proactively resolve gaps, risks, and bottlenecksWriting & Content DevelopmentWrite and edit substantial portions of proposals, including technical approach, management approach, staffing plans, resumes, and past performance narrativesTranslate complex technical, operational, and programmatic information into clear, evaluator-focused responsesEnsure consistency in tone, terminology, and messaging across all proposal sectionsIncorporate win themes, discriminators, and evaluation criteria into all written contentCompliance & Quality ControlPerform detailed compliance checks to ensure full adherence to RFP instructions, formatting requirements, and evaluation criteriaReview all proposal content for accuracy, clarity, completeness, and responsivenessManage internal review cycles and incorporate reviewer feedback efficiently and accuratelyConduct final "ready-to-submit" reviews to ensure zero compliance or production issuesCollaboration & CoordinationWork closely with executives, capture managers, subject matter experts, and partners to gather inputs and approvalsCoordinate inputs from subcontractors, including technical sections, resumes, and past performanceServe as the central point of accountability for proposal communication and document controlProcess Improvement & Knowledge ManagementMaintain and improve proposal templates, boilerplate content, and internal librariesDocument lessons learned and contribute to continuous improvement of proposal processesSupport capture and pre-RFP activities as needed, including solution shaping and proposal planningRequired Qualifications7 years of hands-on government proposal experience (federal strongly preferred)Demonstrated ability to independently manage and deliver complex, high-volume proposalsExceptional attention to detail and strong organizational skillsAdvanced writing and editing skills with a focus on clarity, compliance, and evaluator usabilityStrong understanding of government procurement processes and evaluation methodologiesProven ability to manage multiple proposals simultaneously under tight deadlinesExperience working directly with senior leadership and cross-functional teamsHigh proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel; comfort managing complex documentsPreferred QualificationsExperience supporting technology, data, analytics, or consulting services proposalsExperience with both prime contractor and subcontractor proposalsExperience with state and local government proposalsFamiliarity with structured proposal processes and color team reviewsWhy NIRAHigh-visibility role with direct impact on company growthOpportunity to own and shape proposal operations and standardsCollaborative, fast-moving environment with access to senior leadershipCompetitive compensation and benefitsFlexible work environment