Proposal Manager
Kearney
United States · Posted August 13, 2026
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About the job
The Proposal Manager is responsible for providing overall management throughout the entire proposal lifecycle in response to Request for Proposals (RFPs). The successful candidate should be an expert at leading proposal teams, coordinating and managing proposal related meetings and responses, and in creating all necessary proposal related documents.
The successful candidate will have experience performing in fast-paced, dynamic office environments while ensuring schedule milestones and delivery dates are met. The candidate shall be highly organized with a strict attention to detail and experienced in multi-tasking and handling high priority projects.
The Proposal Manager performs the following specific roles and responsibilities:
Provides direct management of the proposal team from bid approval through award
Develops all necessary proposal documentation (e.g., compliance matrixes, proposal outlines, writing assignments, responsibility matrices, proposal-related questions, annotated outlines, finalized proposal documents, oral presentations, lessons learned, etc.) to win the assigned bid
Facilitates proposal strategy sessions with capture and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs); capturing marketing-oriented hot buttons, win themes, and features and benefits
Ensures the response clearly conveys the proper key messages, value propositions, and differentiators
Works closely with business development teams and Senior Leadership to incorporate executive feedback, input, and vision
Manages virtual and physical proposal teams of complex skills and functions to include Proposal Coordinators, Writers, Editors, Graphic Artists, Executive Personnel, and SMEs
Facilitates color reviews, including debrief meetings and recovery strategy
Ensures proposal documentation receives appropriate internal/capture management approval; coordinating any necessary updates and certifying compliance
Coordinates and leads all proposal team meetings, such as kick-off meetings, periodic proposal team standup meetings, color reviews, and other meetings as needed
Manages proposal-specific content in Salesforce, SpringCM, SharePoint, and MS Teams content management repositories and proposal-specific workspaces
Collaborates with other professionals (Business Developers, Capture Managers, SMEs, and senior-level management) to clearly articulate a winning strategy, compelling solutions, and substantiated themes
When necessary, serves as liaison between subcontractors and/or prime contractors on behalf of Kearney
Researches, analyzes, creates, documents, and shares proposal boilerplate, including proof points; past proposals for lessons learned, reuse; and past performance data
In coordination with the Proposal Coordinator, creates and maintains high-quality templates and process documentation
Edits and rewrites text as needed - leveraging existing boilerplate text, where appropriate
Oversees the development and maintenance of proposal-specific graphics
Assists the Proposal Coordinator in the overall production, packaging, and delivery of proposals, when required
Serves as the quality assurance function for final products, ensuring quality and compliance
Assists in identifying lessons learned and/or gaps in provided resources in order to improve the proposal process
Has the ability to obtain and maintain a Government security clearance
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's Degree or equivalent
Minimum of 5 years of experience managing proposal development/processes, preferably for proposals developed in response to U.S. Federal Government solicitations
Excellent communication and organizational skills
Extreme attention to detail
Working knowledge of MS Office Suite applications (MS Word [advanced], Teams, Excel, and PowerPoint)
Experience working with SharePoint and Salesforce platforms preferred
Must be detail oriented and able to work with minimal supervision
Must be willing to work the hours necessary to accomplish the tasks assigned which may include evenings, weekend, or overtime hours, as needed
Other Requirements :
Must be flexible in adapting to deadlines, changing schedules, priorities and unpredictable events
Must be a team player with a “whatever it takes” attitude
Ability to proactively identify issues and develop timely resolutions
Ability to work in a high-stress deadline driven environment
Ability to mentor other team members.
KCO1701
#LI-MA1
Overview
Exclusively focused on the Government, Kearney & Company provides financial services, including auditing, consulting, and technology services. Our commitment to our employees and clients as well as to dedication and trust, critical values to our Firm, have led to Kearney’s recognition as one of the leading accounting firms in the country. Based on our employees’ feedback, we are also consistently rated a Best Place to Work. Employment at Kearney means a flexible, collaborative, and open-minded work environment. We hope it is your “first easy decision.” Learn more at www.kearneyco.com/careers.
The expected salary range for this position is between $90,000 and $110,000. This range is representative of base pay only and does not include straight time pay for hours worked over 40 per week, company contributions towards paid benefits, and/or bonuses. Actual compensation (meeting or exceeding the range) will be determined based on specific experience, education, work location, clearance level, and other factors permitted by law. This position is eligible for bonuses (when applicable).
We also offer a competitive benefits package that includes:
Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, and Disability Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan and 529 Education Savings Plan
Flexible Spending & Health Savings Account
Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity Insurances
Legal Insurance and Pet Insurance
Employee Assistance Program, fitness and wellness benefits, and other firm benefits.
Paid holidays, vacation, and sick time
EEO Notice
Work location is subject to change based on client requirements.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws
EEO Notice and Applicant Accommodation Requests
Kearney & Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, genetic information, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth, any medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, disability, protected veteran status, relationship or association to a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal laws, rules or regulation. Click here to understand your rights on employment discrimination. Click here for more information on Kearney’s EEO Policy.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, regarding accessibility of our website, a modification or adjustment of the job application or interview process due to a disability, please call 703-236-2391 or email accommodations@kearneyco.com . Please be advised that this contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of an application.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
FMLA is designed to help employees balance their work and family responsibilities by allowing them to take reasonable unpaid leave for certain family and medical reasons. Kearney & Company provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year. Military family leave is available for up to 26 weeks under FMLA. Click here to learn more about FMLA rights.
Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA)
The EPPA prohibits most private employers from using lie detector tests either for pre-employment screening or during the course of employment. Kearney & Company adheres all provisions of the EPPA. Click here to learn more about the EPPA.
The Proposal Manager is responsible for providing overall management throughout the entire proposal lifecycle in response to Request for Proposals (RFPs). The successful candidate should be an expert at leading proposal teams, coordinating and managing proposal related meetings and responses, and in creating all necessary proposal related documents.
The successful candidate will have experience performing in fast-paced, dynamic office environments while ensuring schedule milestones and delivery dates are met. The candidate shall be highly organized with a strict attention to detail and experienced in multi-tasking and handling high priority projects.
The Proposal Manager performs the following specific roles and responsibilities:
Provides direct management of the proposal team from bid approval through award
Develops all necessary proposal documentation (e.g., compliance matrixes, proposal outlines, writing assignments, responsibility matrices, proposal-related questions, annotated outlines, finalized proposal documents, oral presentations, lessons learned, etc.) to win the assigned bid
Facilitates proposal strategy sessions with capture and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs); capturing marketing-oriented hot buttons, win themes, and features and benefits
Ensures the response clearly conveys the proper key messages, value propositions, and differentiators
Works closely with business development teams and Senior Leadership to incorporate executive feedback, input, and vision
Manages virtual and physical proposal teams of complex skills and functions to include Proposal Coordinators, Writers, Editors, Graphic Artists, Executive Personnel, and SMEs
Facilitates color reviews, including debrief meetings and recovery strategy
Ensures proposal documentation receives appropriate internal/capture management approval; coordinating any necessary updates and certifying compliance
Coordinates and leads all proposal team meetings, such as kick-off meetings, periodic proposal team standup meetings, color reviews, and other meetings as needed
Manages proposal-specific content in Salesforce, SpringCM, SharePoint, and MS Teams content management repositories and proposal-specific workspaces
Collaborates with other professionals (Business Developers, Capture Managers, SMEs, and senior-level management) to clearly articulate a winning strategy, compelling solutions, and substantiated themes
When necessary, serves as liaison between subcontractors and/or prime contractors on behalf of Kearney
Researches, analyzes, creates, documents, and shares proposal boilerplate, including proof points; past proposals for lessons learned, reuse; and past performance data
In coordination with the Proposal Coordinator, creates and maintains high-quality templates and process documentation
Edits and rewrites text as needed - leveraging existing boilerplate text, where appropriate
Oversees the development and maintenance of proposal-specific graphics
Assists the Proposal Coordinator in the overall production, packaging, and delivery of proposals, when required
Serves as the quality assurance function for final products, ensuring quality and compliance
Assists in identifying lessons learned and/or gaps in provided resources in order to improve the proposal process
Has the ability to obtain and maintain a Government security clearance
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's Degree or equivalent
Minimum of 5 years of experience managing proposal development/processes, preferably for proposals developed in response to U.S. Federal Government solicitations
Excellent communication and organizational skills
Extreme attention to detail
Working knowledge of MS Office Suite applications (MS Word [advanced], Teams, Excel, and PowerPoint)
Experience working with SharePoint and Salesforce platforms preferred
Must be detail oriented and able to work with minimal supervision
Must be willing to work the hours necessary to accomplish the tasks assigned which may include evenings, weekend, or overtime hours, as needed
Other Requirements :
Must be flexible in adapting to deadlines, changing schedules, priorities and unpredictable events
Must be a team player with a “whatever it takes” attitude
Ability to proactively identify issues and develop timely resolutions
Ability to work in a high-stress deadline driven environment
Ability to mentor other team members.
KCO1701
#LI-MA1