Senior Proposal Manager
Cognizance Technologies, LLC, Rockville, MD, United States
Cognizance Technologies, LLC | Full time
The Senior Proposal Manager leads end-to-end development of complex, competitive government proposals in response to RFPs, RFIs, RFQs, and task orders across federal, state, and local agencies. This role owns proposal execution from kickoff through submission, ensuring compliance, win-theme alignment, and high‑quality, on‑time delivery in a fast‑paced GovCon environment.
The ideal candidate brings deep experience managing large, cross‑functional proposal teams; translating capture strategy into compelling proposal content; and navigating the unique regulatory, compliance, and procurement requirements of government solicitations.
Key Responsibilities
Lead and manage full proposal lifecycle for competitive government bids, including planning, kickoff, content development, reviews, production, and submission
Serve as the central point of contact for proposal execution, coordinating inputs from capture, pricing, technical SMEs, contracts, legal, and partners/subcontractors
Develop and maintain proposal schedules, compliance matrices, outlines, and responsibility assignments
Compliance & Risk Management
Ensure strict compliance with solicitation requirements (Sections L & M, FAR/DFARS, agency‑specific instructions)
Conduct and oversee compliance reviews, pink/red team reviews, and final quality checks
Identify proposal risks and gaps early and drive mitigation strategies
Capture & Strategy Alignment
Partner closely with Capture Managers and Business Development to translate win strategies, discriminators, and customer insights into proposal structure and messaging
Support capture activities including RFI responses, white papers, oral presentations, and down‑selects
Ensure proposals clearly articulate value propositions, strengths, and differentiators aligned to evaluation criteria
Content Development & Storytelling
Lead proposal writing and editing efforts, including executive summaries, management plans, staffing, and past performance narratives
Ensure consistent voice, messaging, and branding across all proposal volumes
Coach SMEs and junior proposal staff on effective GovCon proposal writing
Team & Process Leadership
Mentor and guide Proposal Managers, Proposal Coordinators, and proposal contributors
Continuously improve proposal processes, templates, tools, and best practices
Manage proposal resources and support multiple concurrent bids when required
Production & Submission
Oversee final production, formatting, and electronic submission (e.g., SAM.gov, eBuy, agency portals)
Ensure submissions meet all technical, security, and deadline requirements
Support post‑submission activities, including clarifications, discussions, and debriefs
Required Qualifications
8+ years of experience managing government proposals in a GovCon environment
Proven track record leading complex, multi‑volume proposals (IDIQs, task orders, prime and subcontract bids)
Strong knowledge of federal procurement processes, FAR/DFARS, and common agency solicitation practices
Exceptional project management, writing, and editing skills
Experience working with capture managers, pricing teams, and executive leadership
Ability to manage multiple deadlines and high‑pressure proposal cycles
Preferred Qualifications
APMP certification (Practitioner, Professional, or Fellow)
Experience with major federal agencies (e.g., DoD, HHS, DHS, FDA, VA, GSA, civilian agencies)
Familiarity with proposal tools and systems (e.g., SharePoint, Proposal Automation tools, Jira, or similar)
Experience supporting oral proposals and source selection engagements
Proposal compliance and attention to detail
Strategic thinking and win‑theme development
Strong leadership and stakeholder management
Clear, persuasive writing and editing
Calm under pressure with a bias for execution
What Success Looks Like
Proposals submitted on time, fully compliant, and aligned to evaluation criteria
Strong collaboration between capture, technical, pricing, and proposal teams
Increased win rates and improved proposal quality over time
Well‑run, repeatable proposal processes that scale with business growth
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The Senior Proposal Manager leads end-to-end development of complex, competitive government proposals in response to RFPs, RFIs, RFQs, and task orders across federal, state, and local agencies. This role owns proposal execution from kickoff through submission, ensuring compliance, win-theme alignment, and high‑quality, on‑time delivery in a fast‑paced GovCon environment.
The ideal candidate brings deep experience managing large, cross‑functional proposal teams; translating capture strategy into compelling proposal content; and navigating the unique regulatory, compliance, and procurement requirements of government solicitations.
Key Responsibilities
Lead and manage full proposal lifecycle for competitive government bids, including planning, kickoff, content development, reviews, production, and submission
Serve as the central point of contact for proposal execution, coordinating inputs from capture, pricing, technical SMEs, contracts, legal, and partners/subcontractors
Develop and maintain proposal schedules, compliance matrices, outlines, and responsibility assignments
Compliance & Risk Management
Ensure strict compliance with solicitation requirements (Sections L & M, FAR/DFARS, agency‑specific instructions)
Conduct and oversee compliance reviews, pink/red team reviews, and final quality checks
Identify proposal risks and gaps early and drive mitigation strategies
Capture & Strategy Alignment
Partner closely with Capture Managers and Business Development to translate win strategies, discriminators, and customer insights into proposal structure and messaging
Support capture activities including RFI responses, white papers, oral presentations, and down‑selects
Ensure proposals clearly articulate value propositions, strengths, and differentiators aligned to evaluation criteria
Content Development & Storytelling
Lead proposal writing and editing efforts, including executive summaries, management plans, staffing, and past performance narratives
Ensure consistent voice, messaging, and branding across all proposal volumes
Coach SMEs and junior proposal staff on effective GovCon proposal writing
Team & Process Leadership
Mentor and guide Proposal Managers, Proposal Coordinators, and proposal contributors
Continuously improve proposal processes, templates, tools, and best practices
Manage proposal resources and support multiple concurrent bids when required
Production & Submission
Oversee final production, formatting, and electronic submission (e.g., SAM.gov, eBuy, agency portals)
Ensure submissions meet all technical, security, and deadline requirements
Support post‑submission activities, including clarifications, discussions, and debriefs
Required Qualifications
8+ years of experience managing government proposals in a GovCon environment
Proven track record leading complex, multi‑volume proposals (IDIQs, task orders, prime and subcontract bids)
Strong knowledge of federal procurement processes, FAR/DFARS, and common agency solicitation practices
Exceptional project management, writing, and editing skills
Experience working with capture managers, pricing teams, and executive leadership
Ability to manage multiple deadlines and high‑pressure proposal cycles
Preferred Qualifications
APMP certification (Practitioner, Professional, or Fellow)
Experience with major federal agencies (e.g., DoD, HHS, DHS, FDA, VA, GSA, civilian agencies)
Familiarity with proposal tools and systems (e.g., SharePoint, Proposal Automation tools, Jira, or similar)
Experience supporting oral proposals and source selection engagements
Proposal compliance and attention to detail
Strategic thinking and win‑theme development
Strong leadership and stakeholder management
Clear, persuasive writing and editing
Calm under pressure with a bias for execution
What Success Looks Like
Proposals submitted on time, fully compliant, and aligned to evaluation criteria
Strong collaboration between capture, technical, pricing, and proposal teams
Increased win rates and improved proposal quality over time
Well‑run, repeatable proposal processes that scale with business growth
#J-18808-Ljbffr