Proposal Author

EOE: race/color/religion/sex/sexual orientation/gender identity/ national origin/disability

Job Summary:
We are seeking a detail-oriented and strategic RFP Proposal Author to join our team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for developing, writing, and coordinating compelling and compliant responses to Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Requests for Information (RFIs), and related procurement documents. This role requires a strong command of language, an ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, and a deep understanding of proposal development processes.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• This position does not have direct reports

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Analyze RFP/RFI requirements to develop compliant, persuasive, and customized responses.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Safety, Operations, Fleet, Legal, and Finance, to gather relevant content and ensure alignment with organizational goals.
• Draft, edit, and format proposal documents to meet submission deadlines.
• Maintain a repository of proposal content, templates, and supporting documentation.
• Continuously improve and update boilerplate content for clarity, relevance, and compliance with industry standards.
• Create and manage proposal development timelines, ensuring all stakeholders meet deadlines
• Schedule and lead proposal kickoff meetings, progress check-ins, and review sessions
• Conduct thorough reviews of proposals to ensure accuracy, compliance, and consistency
• Edit and proofread content to ensure high-quality, error-free submissions
• Research clients, competitors, and market trends to tailor proposals and highlight competitive advantages
• Identify and address potential risks or challenges in proposal responses
• Build strong relationships with internal teams to facilitate efficient information sharing and collaboration
• Provide guidance and training to team members on proposal best practices and tools
• Contact clients, potential customers, GCs, ECs, vendors, and related for clarifications and information required in order to submit accurate and winning proposals
• Identify and reach out to potential subcontractors or vendors for quotes and necessary information
• Evaluate and integrate subcontractor and vendor responses into proposal documents
• Ensure subcontractor deliverables align with the overall proposal strategy and compliance requirements
• Follow up on submitted information, develop and maintain professional relationships with a wide range of industry partners
• Follow-up on submitted information as a tool for improving competitive responses for future opportunities as well as for maximizing customer service
• Attend internal and external meetings and develop presentations when necessary
• Achieve and maintain productivity, quality, and performance standards to meet KPIs
• Highly organized, motivated, detail-oriented, ability to work independently and as a team member
• Successful experience managing multiple bids, RFIs, and related documents
• Understand and effectively interface with multiple clients and their respective teams
• Review, monitor, and improve existing processes and interactions with clients
• Embrace strong work ethics personally, within company and client teams

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, Business, Marketing, or a related field
• Proven experience in proposal writing, RFP/RFI responses, or a similar role
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and proposal management tools
• Attention to detail and a commitment to delivering high-quality work
• Ability to read & understand construction contracts & drawings
• Ability to factor in all potential risk factors such as terrain, weather, labor availability, equipment availability, material availability & overall difficulty of the proposed work scope

Preferred Skills:

• Knowledge of the RFP/RFI process within the utility industry
• Experience with graphic design or document formatting software for proposal aesthetics
• Familiarity with RUS pricing
• Experience with PowerBI

Work Environment:

• This individual for this role will work out of our Pataskala, OH office
• Ability to work extended hours during critical proposal deadlines

Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to communicate, sit, reach and use repetitive motions of hands and wrists. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop or bend. The employee must occasionally lift and/or carry up to 20 pounds and occasionally push and/or pull up to 20 pounds. This position requires close vision. Must be able to meet
regular and predictable attendance standards.