Job Details
Job Location: Remote Anywhere US - Corporate Office, IA
Salary Range: Undisclosed
Description
The Proposal Operations organization provides an enterprise, shared service to produce winning responses to requests for proposal (RFP) and proposals. The team monitors and responds to RFPs, provides a variety of tools and resources for the Sales team to use, and tracks and reports on RFP and proposal performance.
The Director is responsible for managing RNL’s Proposal Operations team’s day-to-day business. They create, establish, and document processes, procedures, and departmental policies with an eye toward metrics-based dialogue, innovation, and digital acceleration. They contribute to and direct a high-functioning team of proposal personnel, ensuring RNL’s proposals are produced on time, compliant, and responsive to the unique issues faced by our prospective and current clients.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES: (not limited to)
- Act as the principal departmental point of contact for Proposal Operations and senior leadership
- Oversee and provide daily guidance to the Proposal Operations team
- Attract, retain, and develop the talents of in-house proposal professionals and external contractors as needed
- Monitor and identify RFP opportunities for Sales to pursue
- Coordinate the right internal and external people and resources to produce winning proposals
- Set clear goals and objectives, monitor performance, provide frequent feedback, and support individual and team growth/development goals
- Effectively manage the team’s capacity and delegate RFP and proposal activities/assignments accordingly
- Provide proposal templates and content that enable the Sales team to use a self-service model for most unsolicited proposal (non-RFP) opportunities
- Proactively develop, review, and modify proposal development, management, and production processes to maximize operational efficiency
- Lead strategic and/or complex proposal management and development opportunities/initiatives
- Maintain bandwidth to provide proposal management and writing support to balance team workloads and spikes in proposal volume
- Leverage and promote usage of knowledgebase/content libraries with regular audits and reviews for accuracy
- Lead RFx analysis process and discussions, including go/no-go meetings with senior leadership
- Identify and work with Senior VP of Marketing Strategy to establish key departmental metrics and execute defined reporting requirements around those proposal performance metrics
- Support business development with win planning and strategy development
- Develop lessons learned reports and contribute to competitor analyses based on public information requests
Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, communications, or similar field of study
- +10 years’ experience in proposal management, business development, or related field
- Ability to effectively manage proposals, operations, and people in a complex, fast-paced, and dynamic, deadline-driven environment
- Demonstrated successful team management and/or leadership abilities, such as:Motivating teams or groups
- Exhibiting technical and professional expertise
- Committing to continuous development of self and others
- Collaborating and fostering teamwork across the organization
- Building relationships across the organization
- Championing change
- Developing a strategic perspective for solving problems and analyzing issues
- Taking initiative
- Exhibiting a collaborative and persuasive ability to influence executive and non-executive staff
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Word, and PowerPoint)
- Must be able to work with minimal supervision, demonstrating flexibility, accountability, initiative, and self-motivation to identify and execute tasks
- Ability to multitask, prioritize, and manage concurrent projects
- Superior writing and editing skills with command of English grammar and punctuation
- Keen attention to detail ensuring consistency across staff use of templates, RNL branding, and adherence to RFP requirements
- Excellent interpersonal, customer service, and time management skills with the ability to be tactfully persistent
- Strong document layout and production skills
- A can-do, positive attitude with a sense of urgency
- Must be comfortable interacting regularly and directly with senior company leaders
- Willingness to work across divisions/departments and learn about divisions/departments that may currently be unfamiliar to you
- Willingness to work extended hours and assist proposal operations staff in meeting deadlines
- Willingness to travel as needed (less than 5% of the time)
- Ability to maintain and work in a remote home office
- Remote/virtual work environment must be free from distractions while performing the essential functions of the job and have a reliable network connection
- Position predominantly includes sitting/standing for long periods of time, close vision through the use of a computer screen, extensive keyboarding, talking, hearing, and infrequent light physical effort is required (minimum of fifteen pounds)
Preferred:
- Experience in higher education, particularly in enrollment and/or fundraising management
- APMP membership/involvement and certification
- Subject matter expert in APMP standards and related proposal industry processes
- Familiarity of proposal processes with higher education institutions and organizations
- Experience with Salesforce CRM
- Knowledge of proposal management and automation software applications (Responsive/Loopio/Qvidian); previous implementation and management experience a plus
RNL is an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment. If you require any accommodations during the application or interview process, please reach out to us here.