Proposal Manager

About Us:

@Orchard is an SBA-certified Woman-Owned Small Business with a reputation for delivering exceptional project solutions and staffing services to government agencies, particularly within NOAA and other science-focused federal entities. We pride ourselves on advancing scientific innovation, environmental stewardship, and community enrichment through our work.

Why @Orchard?

• Work with a senior team focused on winning new work through recently awarded 10-year IDIQs and 8(a) Stars III vehicles.
• Task orders span professional services, sciences, and technology.
• Access to industry-leading tools and cutting-edge proposal software.
• Competitive salary and exceptional benefits, including healthcare with no deductible for the employee.
• A culture that values performance while respecting and listening to every team member’s perspective.
• Pioneer the integration of smart intelligence into the team’s proposal process.

Position Overview:

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Proposal Manager to lead, manage, and develop complex, high-value proposals primarily within the federal sector. This role requires a professional with extensive experience in full lifecycle proposal development, as well as proven experience working embedded with business development and capture management, particularly within the fields of technology and oceanic, atmospheric, fisheries, and climate sciences.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of supporting the proposal lifecycle, including Proposal Management, writing, and editing. The ideal candidate will also have demonstrated success winning large-scale IDIQs, GWACs, and Task Orders, coupled with exceptional team leadership skills and a deep understanding of federal procurement processes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Proposal Management and Development: Lead the end-to-end proposal development process, including RFx shreds and annotated outlines, schedule creation and management, proposal development from storyboarding through submission, color reviews, and compliance checks to ensure on-schedule, high-quality submissions. Work in collaboration with capture and BD teams to identify and qualify new business opportunities, develop win strategies, and work closely with technical teams to craft compelling and winning proposals.
• Team Leadership: Build and lead proposal teams, fostering a collaborative and positive work environment. Ensure all team members are aligned with proposal objectives and deadlines.
• Technical Writing and Editing: Draft, review, and edit proposal content for clarity, accuracy, and compliance with RFP requirements. Leverage your grammar and wordsmithing expertise to produce polished final documents. Leverage your extensive past performance in managing and winning high-value contracts to develop compelling narratives that resonate with evaluators.
• Client and Stakeholder Interaction: Engage with clients, subject matter experts (SMEs), and senior leadership to gather insights, refine strategies, and ensure alignment with client expectations.
• Continuous Improvement: Stay updated on industry best practices, federal procurement trends, and proposal management methodologies to consistently improve the proposal and communications systems, creating new tools, templates, and manuals.
• Intellectual Asset Management: Create a proposal library, including a win theme collection and competitive intelligence library.

Top Attributes for Success:

• Proactive Initiative: You take ownership, solve problems, and anticipate the next steps.
• Solution-Oriented: You create creative, client-focused solutions that align with company goals.
• Process-Driven: You ensure accuracy, efficiency, and consistency in all phases of proposal development.
• Technologically Savvy: You are adept with proposal tools and software to streamline processes.
• Strategic and Smart: You bring strong problem-solving and strategic thinking to every proposal.

Qualifications:

• Experience: at least 5 years of experience in proposal management, particularly with IDIQs and 8(a) Stars III vehicles, and a knowledge of technology and oceanic, atmospheric, fisheries, and climate sciences sectors.
• Proven Track Record: Demonstrated success in winning large-scale IDIQs, GWACs, and Task Orders, with a history of delivering high-quality, compliant, and on-time proposals. A proven track record of winning quick-turn Task Orders is a plus.
• Federal Procurement: Strong knowledge of federal procurement processes and government contracting, including compliance such as FARs
• Writing and Editing: Extensive experience in writing, editing, and reviewing federal proposal content.
• Leadership: Proven ability to manage complex proposals under tight deadlines while ensuring high quality. Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Technical: Proficiency in cutting-edge proposal management software and Google Suite
• Education: A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Biology, Zoology, General Science) is required; a Master’s degree in English or related field is highly desirable.
• Certifications: APMP certification is preferred

@Orchard Offers:

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including robust healthcare.
• Generous paid time off and holidays.
• 401(k) retirement plan
• A supportive, inclusive culture that values collaboration and growth.

To Apply: Please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and why you are interested in this position.