Senior Proposal Specialist - Transportation/Construction Services
GFT, State College, PA, United States
GFT is seeking a Senior Proposal Specialist to join our BD&M team within the MidAtlantic! In this role, you will apply strategic thinking, creative problem‑solving, and strong organizational skills to support pursuits for our Transportation, Construction Services, and Buildings & Places teams. The position can be based in Mechanicsburg, Philadelphia, Valley Forge, Towson, and Owings Mills. Must have experience with PennDOT, MDOT (SHA, MDTA, MTA), SEPTA, Amtrak, or City of Philadelphia (or similar clients).
What You’ll Be Challenged To Do The Senior Proposal Specialist manages proposals and presentations, provides capture support, and may assist with client management support. The position supports one or more regional business lines or a global business line.
Responsibilities
Lead the planning, development, and delivery of compelling, compliant, and client‑focused proposals, qualifications, and presentations.
Capture Planning: Lead standard‑ and strategic‑level pursuits, driving capture kick‑offs, follow‑up meetings, and early positioning discussions; conduct research into clients, competitors, and markets; draft pre‑RFP content; determine resource needs; collaborate with BD leadership to ensure consistent implementation of best practices.
Proposal Management: Lead complex proposals from initial request to final submission; analyze SOQs/RFPs to prepare compliance matrices, schedules, and outlines; facilitate and participate in kick‑off meetings, milestone reviews, and client debriefs; develop client‑focused proposal sections; edit technical approaches; partner with graphic designers to develop custom visuals; coordinate and prepare interview teams; track all opportunities and deliverables in CRM.
Client Service Team Support: Support Tier I client management activities; conduct client research; prepare client meeting materials, capabilities briefings, and targeted marketing collateral.
BD Data, Processes & Innovation: Participate in or lead working groups focused on improving BD systems, processes, and tools; use approved AI tools; collaborate with leadership on new use cases.
Collaboration & Mentorship: Manage communications, delegate tasks, and monitor progress; mentor junior BD staff; foster a collaborative, inclusive team culture.
Education & Experience
Normally a 4‑year degree required in English, marketing, journalism, communications, or applicable field.
Must have experience with PennDOT, MDOT (SHA, MDTA, MTA), SEPTA, Amtrak, or City of Philadelphia.
Minimum of 5 years of combined prior proposal experience preferred, including section writing experience.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Able to work with some degree of independence to execute proposal lifecycle.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and CRM tools; experience with Adobe InDesign preferred.
Compensation The salary range for this role is $80,000 - $95,000, dependent upon experience and geographic location.
Featured Benefits
Remote work environment.
Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
Tax‑deferred 401(k) savings plan.
Competitive paid‑time‑off (PTO) accrual.
Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations.
Incentive compensation for eligible positions.
Location Mechanicsburg, Philadelphia, Valley Forge, Towson, Owings Mills.
Equal Opportunity Employer GFT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status or other characteristics protected by law.
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What You’ll Be Challenged To Do The Senior Proposal Specialist manages proposals and presentations, provides capture support, and may assist with client management support. The position supports one or more regional business lines or a global business line.
Responsibilities
Lead the planning, development, and delivery of compelling, compliant, and client‑focused proposals, qualifications, and presentations.
Capture Planning: Lead standard‑ and strategic‑level pursuits, driving capture kick‑offs, follow‑up meetings, and early positioning discussions; conduct research into clients, competitors, and markets; draft pre‑RFP content; determine resource needs; collaborate with BD leadership to ensure consistent implementation of best practices.
Proposal Management: Lead complex proposals from initial request to final submission; analyze SOQs/RFPs to prepare compliance matrices, schedules, and outlines; facilitate and participate in kick‑off meetings, milestone reviews, and client debriefs; develop client‑focused proposal sections; edit technical approaches; partner with graphic designers to develop custom visuals; coordinate and prepare interview teams; track all opportunities and deliverables in CRM.
Client Service Team Support: Support Tier I client management activities; conduct client research; prepare client meeting materials, capabilities briefings, and targeted marketing collateral.
BD Data, Processes & Innovation: Participate in or lead working groups focused on improving BD systems, processes, and tools; use approved AI tools; collaborate with leadership on new use cases.
Collaboration & Mentorship: Manage communications, delegate tasks, and monitor progress; mentor junior BD staff; foster a collaborative, inclusive team culture.
Education & Experience
Normally a 4‑year degree required in English, marketing, journalism, communications, or applicable field.
Must have experience with PennDOT, MDOT (SHA, MDTA, MTA), SEPTA, Amtrak, or City of Philadelphia.
Minimum of 5 years of combined prior proposal experience preferred, including section writing experience.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Able to work with some degree of independence to execute proposal lifecycle.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and CRM tools; experience with Adobe InDesign preferred.
Compensation The salary range for this role is $80,000 - $95,000, dependent upon experience and geographic location.
Featured Benefits
Remote work environment.
Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
Tax‑deferred 401(k) savings plan.
Competitive paid‑time‑off (PTO) accrual.
Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations.
Incentive compensation for eligible positions.
Location Mechanicsburg, Philadelphia, Valley Forge, Towson, Owings Mills.
Equal Opportunity Employer GFT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status or other characteristics protected by law.
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