Overview

Creative Associates International is a dynamic, global development company that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic institutions, and stabilization. Based in Chevy Chase, MD (metro Washington, D.C. area), Creative has programs in more than 30 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Founded in 1977, Creative is a minority-owned, mission-driven organization that has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.

We value diversity — in backgrounds and in experiences. We are deliberate and self-reflective about the kind of team and culture that we are building, seeking staff that are not only strong in their own aptitudes but care deeply about supporting each other's growth. Our success depends on all our employees' points of view, and the principle that inclusion is everyone's responsibility.

Position Summary:

This is a senior-level position responsible for overseeing the successful development and delivery of bids working under the Senior Vice-President, Business Development. The incumbent ensures the development and delivery of competitive and compliant proposals, oversees preparatory efforts for bid pursuits, advises on pre-bid intelligence gathering efforts, and develops partnerships and client relationships. The incumbent supervises, coaches and mentors a team of BD professionals, including BD directors, managers, coordinators, and recruiters. S/he may lead pre-positioning, capture, and management of high interest target global bid opportunities. The Incumbent contributes to BD thought leadership and is thus expected to keep abreast of market trends and industry news, utilizing and continuously building a network of potential partners and contacts, as well as actively participating in industry conferences and working groups. Working across program divisions and other support units, the incumbent contributes to annual pipeline planning and prioritization, ensuring a manageable, yet aggressive, list of approved opportunities with high win probability, return on investment, and strong impact in core geographic and technical areas. S/he owns Creative’s BD management policies, guidelines, and tools, ensuring they are continuously updated and improved, as well as communicated, understood, and adhered to throughout the company.

This is a Hybrid position meaning the successful candidate will be expected to be in the office a minimum of 3 days per week with Tuesday and Wednesday as mandatory all in days. 

Reporting & Supervision:

The Senior Director Business Development Strategy and Bid Operations works under general direction and reports to Creative’s Senior Vice-President. S/he serves as a thought partner to the SVP for all matters pertaining to long-term growth and diversification, and fills-in for the SVP in her absence

Responsibilities

Expected Outcomes:

• Ensures bid submissions are competitive, 100% compliant, complete, and responsive through proactive oversight of successful pre-positioning, capture, proposal development, and delivery of winning proposals in line with corporate strategy and annual business plans;
• Maintains policies, procedures, and guidance in BD management that are in keeping with industry best practice;
• Ensures BD departmental staff are fully capacitated and able to execute at a high standard; and
• Working collaboratively with program divisions and support units, qualifies and prioritizes an opportunity pipeline that enables the company to achieve aggressive growth targets.

Responsibilities:

Departmental Management (65%)

• Supervise a team of approximately 15-18 BD professionals, including BD directors, managers, associates, and 4-person recruiting team; proactively coach, mentor and build capacity as needed;
• Assign BD department staff to bids and other duties as assigned; oversee staff resourcing plan and calendar of bid milestones;
• Oversee BD department’s proactive and effective involvement in bid pursuits, from pre-positioning through capture and live proposal to award decision and after action learning; ensure effective team coordination with divisional program staff, operations, cost and pricing, and the contracts department;
• Oversee the production and delivery of all proposals and ensure, through quality control, that proposals meet funder requirements and Creative’s quality standards;
• Develop, improve, and implement a seamless BD process, including roles and responsibilities, that is clearly communicated and understood by all;
• Maintain accurate and timely electronic files, as well as ensure information is actively recorded in and maintained in relevant databases, such as Creative’s CRM;
• Oversee annual and ad hoc procurements to support bid management;
• Serve, as necessary as the bid manager for select high interest target bids; and
• Contribute to after-the-fact analysis of proposal development to find opportunities for improvement.

BD Strategy Development and Advisory (20%)

• Report regularly to senior leadership on performance and goals (i.e. win rate; annual sales target);
• Contribute to identification of new markets for Creative and conduct or oversee research and related recommendations;
• Keep abreast of and disseminate client policies and priorities across the team and proactively identify ways Creative can address emerging priorities;
• Continuously build a network of potential partners and contacts and contribute to Creative’s knowledge of industry trends;
• Improve win rate by developing and/or improving the strategies, systems, and team to do so;
• Participate actively in cross-divisional BD Forum, where strategy, pipeline, and process is regularly reviewed and discussed;
• Chair the CRMS Governance Committee to promote data integrity, process improvement, and system uptake across the company;
• Participate in and make recommendations for Go/No Go Decisions and other Bid Gates;
• Regularly serve as a key Reviewer in Proposal review sessions, including the final Gold Review;
• Participate in Creative’s corporate initiatives that contribute to its organizational strategic thinking or cutting-edge ideas that improve Creative’s work and competitiveness; and
• Work with senior leadership to coordinate and collaborate so that BD is integrated into the fabric and everyday functions at Creative.

Interfacing with potential clients and partners (10%)

• Represent the company to potential clients and partners and lead discussions on specific bids;
• Lead efforts to build new partnerships and support BD staff in negotiating partnership arrangements; and
• Oversee teaming agreements, subcontracts, and other institutional agreements with partners;

Preparing for ad hoc opportunities to present to potential clients (5%)

• Prepare and present formal presentations to prospective clients based on their needs.

Qualifications

Qualifications

• Masters’ degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience required;
• 10-15 years of relevant experience in proposal management and business development activities, specifically USAID contracts and/or cooperative agreements;
• Expert knowledge of business development and at least ten years of experience on winning USAID and other donor projects of at least $50M;
• Experience in marketing and market development, especially to USAID, other USG agencies (e.g., State Department), and the international donor space (e.g., FCDO, UN, World Bank);
• Expert level knowledge of the competitive market within Creative’s technical areas;
• Successful track record of capturing prime new business awards with USG federal agencies working internationally and multilateral international donors;
• Experience leading and supporting new business efforts;
• Experience in developing cost proposals and pricing strategies, preferred;
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Advanced project management skills;
• Previous experience supervising staff;
• Commitment to international development and to values-driven work environment.
• Well-organized, attentive to detail, skilled in setting priorities and meeting deadlines, and able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously;
• Works well independently and in teams; proactive in anticipating work requirements and problem solving;
• Overseas experience a plus;
• Ability to travel 20-25% of time; and
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

Desired Skills & Qualifications:

• Comprehensive knowledge of and expertise in the international development industry;
• Proficiency in a second language, preferably Spanish, French, or Arabic, a plus
• Experience using SharePoint

EEOC Statement: Creative is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, age, or other legally protected characteristics. Military veterans, Ameri-Corps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.

Accessibility Notice: If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Ireneb@creativedc.com. Please view Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here.

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision: Creative will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation. #LI-IB

Only finalists will be contacted. No phone calls, please.