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Proposal Operations Manager
Job Location:
Job Location:
McLean, MD - USA
Monthly Salary:
$ 100000 - 110000
Monthly Salary:
Posted:
12 August 2026 (7 hours ago)
Posted:
Application Deadline:
9 November 2026
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Vacancies:
Job Summary
Proposal Operations Manager
ROLE
West 4th Strategy is seeking a detail-oriented and deadline-driven Proposal Operations Manager to lead the development of competitive proposals in response to federal government solicitations (RFPs RFQs RFIs and Sources Sought notices). This role owns the proposal lifecycle from solicitation release through submission building compliant proposal shells managing color team reviews coordinating input from subject matter experts and ensuring every deliverable meets federal compliance and formatting standards. The ideal candidate has 25 years of hands-on federal proposal experience is fluent in FAR-based solicitation structures and thrives in the fast-paced high-stakes environment of federal capture and business development. This is a full-time opportunity. We can offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package.
Apply today!
RESPONSIBILITIES
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
CORE COMPETENCIES
REQUIRED EDUCATION
LOCATION
CLEARANCE
EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION
COMPENSATION
West 4th Strategy is an Equal Opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color creed religion gender sexual orientation ancestry national origin age marital status mental disability physical disability medical condition pregnancy political affiliation military or veteran status or any other basis prohibited by federal or state law.
Other Considerations: applicants will be subject to a background investigation. Individuals primary workstation is located in an office area. The noise level in this environment is low to moderate. Regularly required to sit for extended periods up to 80% of the time; frequently required to move about to access file cabinets and use office equipment such as PC copier fax telephone cell phone etc. Occasionally required to reach overhead bend and lift objects of up to 10 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include the use of computer monitor screens up to 80% of the time.
ROLE
West 4th Strategy is seeking a detail-oriented and deadline-driven Proposal Operations Manager to lead the development of competitive proposals in response to federal government solicitations (RFPs RFQs RFIs and Sources Sought notices). This role owns the proposal lifecycle from solicitation release through submission building compliant proposal shells managing color team reviews coordinating input from subject matter experts and ensuring every deliverable meets federal compliance and formatting standards. The ideal candidate has 25 years of hands-on federal proposal experience is fluent in FAR-based solicitation structures and thrives in the fast-paced high-stakes environment of federal capture and business development. This is a full-time opportunity. We can offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package.
Apply today!
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Serve as Proposal Manager on federal opportunities managing the end-to-end proposal lifecycle in accordance with the Shipley or similar proposal development methodology.
- Analyze RFPs RFQs and RFIs to develop compliant proposal outlines compliance matrices and annotated outlines aligned to Sections L and M.
- Manage multiple concurrent proposal activities and live RFPs.
- Build and maintain proposal schedules ensuring all internal milestones (kickoff Pink Team Red Team Gold Team production and submission) are met on time.
- Coordinate and facilitate proposal kickoff meetings storyboarding sessions and color team reviews; consolidate reviewer feedback into actionable edits.
- Partner with capture managers technical leads and subject matter experts to translate win themes and discriminators into clear compliant and persuasive proposal content.
- Write edit and tighten proposal sections as needed including executive summaries management approaches and past performance narratives.
- Manage pricing/cost volume coordination with finance and contracts staff to ensure alignment between technical and cost volumes.
- Ensure final proposal packages meet all formatting page limit and submission requirements.
- Maintain and organize proposal templates boilerplate content resumes and past performance libraries in SharePoint (or other content management system) ensuring content is current easy to locate and properly version-controlled to support future pursuits. Support debrief analysis and lessons-learned sessions to continuously improve proposal quality and win rates.
- Train junior proposal writers on proposal development best practices compliance requirements desktop publishing and effective technical/narrative writing
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 25 years of experience managing or supporting proposals for U.S. federal government clients (civilian and defense).
- Demonstrated experience and expertise with using AI in all aspects of proposal operations.
- Working knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and federal procurement processes including familiarity with Sections C L and M of RFPs.
- Demonstrated experience developing compliance matrices proposal outlines and managing color team review cycles.
- Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent proposal efforts and shifting deadlines.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to synthesize technical input into clear client-focused narrative.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word PowerPoint Excel SharePoint) and Adobe Acrobat.
- Ability to work under pressure and manage tight non-negotiable federal submission deadlines.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with federal opportunity-tracking and market research tools.
- Familiarity with Shipley Associates proposal methodology or equivalent formal proposal training/certification.
- Prior experience supporting proposals for a specific agency vertical (specifically Navy DOJ SEC Treasury or USAF).
- Exposure to desktop publishing/graphic coordination for proposal layout and design.
- Experience supporting Task Order proposals under GWACs or IDIQs (specifically GSA MAS OASIS SEWP or MDA SHIELD).
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Compliance-first mindset with meticulous attention to detail
- Strong organizational and time-management skills
- Collaborative calm-under-pressure team leadership style
- Clear persuasive business writing and editing
- Adaptability across multiple simultaneous proposal efforts
- Ability to coach and develop others in proposal writing and process
REQUIRED EDUCATION
- Bachelors degree in business communications English public administration or a related field or equivalent professional experience.
LOCATION
- McLean VA (hybrid: Tuesday Thursday in office); remote considered for the right candidate
CLEARANCE
- Not required; ability to obtain Public Trust may be requested for certain engagements
EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION
- Employment Classification Eligibility W2
COMPENSATION
- Salary range: $100000 $110000
- Benefits: Benefits package includes options for health dental and vision insurance coverage; 401k contribution options. Full benefits brochure available for review.
West 4th Strategy is an Equal Opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color creed religion gender sexual orientation ancestry national origin age marital status mental disability physical disability medical condition pregnancy political affiliation military or veteran status or any other basis prohibited by federal or state law.
Other Considerations: applicants will be subject to a background investigation. Individuals primary workstation is located in an office area. The noise level in this environment is low to moderate. Regularly required to sit for extended periods up to 80% of the time; frequently required to move about to access file cabinets and use office equipment such as PC copier fax telephone cell phone etc. Occasionally required to reach overhead bend and lift objects of up to 10 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include the use of computer monitor screens up to 80% of the time.
Required Experience:
Manager
About Company
As a nation-wide provider of high-tech professionals, West 4th Strategy arms federal agencies and prime contractors with empowered professionals in data analytics, cybersecurity, systems integration, infrastructure management, and program management.
