RFP Specialist

UnboundEd empowers educators to eliminate the predictability of student outcomes by race, language, and socioeconomic status through evidence-informed, engaging, affirming, and meaningful grade-level instruction—so all students succeed academically. As the largest equity-focused professional learning organization in the nation, we provide professional learning products and services to hundreds of thousands of educators nationwide. 

UnboundEd is a passionate team of former teachers, district and school leaders, curriculum writers, and education experts united by the desire to see every student thrive. We walk alongside educators on their professional learning journey, helping them cultivate the mindsets, knowledge, and skills to deliver equitable, effective instruction. In 2023, UnboundEd joined forces with Pivot Learning and CORE Learning to expand our offerings and drive long-needed changes in instruction, especially in the highest-need schools.

ROLE SUMMARY 

Reporting to the Chief Growth Officer, the RFP Specialist will be responsible for executing strategies to identify, engage, and secure new opportunities through Requests for Proposals from key states and districts. The primary responsibility of the RFP Specialist is to lead the end-to-end process of preparing and submitting high-quality proposals to secure funding for our programs and initiatives. This role requires a strategic mindset, exceptional writing and communication skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with various stakeholders.

UnboundEd is a virtual organization and this employee can be based anywhere in the United States. UnboundEd has core business hours where we expect all staff to be available from 9 am to 5 pm ET and occasional travel is required. 

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Proposal Development:
• Research funding opportunities from government agencies, foundations, corporations, and other sources.
• Analyze RFP requirements and develop proposal outlines, timelines, and budgets.
• Coordinate with program managers, finance department, and other relevant stakeholders to gather necessary information for proposals.
• Write, edit, and proofread proposal narratives, ensuring clarity, consistency, and alignment with funder guidelines.
• Develop compelling executive summaries and other sections to effectively communicate the organization's mission, goals, and impact.
• Project Management:
• Establish and maintain a centralized system for tracking all RFPs, deadlines, and submission requirements.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure timely completion of proposal components.
• Conduct regular meetings and follow-ups to keep stakeholders informed and on track with proposal development timelines.
• Manage multiple proposals simultaneously, prioritizing tasks based on urgency and strategic importance.
• Relationship Building:
• Cultivate relationships with RFP owners in key accounts and other stakeholders to understand their priorities and funding preferences.
• Collaborate with program staff to ensure proposals are aligned with organizational priorities and demonstrate programmatic impact.
• Represent the organization professionally in meetings, conferences, and networking events related to funding opportunities.
• Compliance and Quality Assurance:
• Ensure proposals comply with all funder requirements, including formatting, content, and submission guidelines.
• Conduct thorough reviews of proposals to ensure accuracy, completeness, and adherence to internal standards.
• Work closely with the finance department to develop accurate budgets and financial projections for proposals.
• Knowledge Management:
• Stay informed about trends in nonprofit funding, grant-making practices, and changes in regulations affecting proposal development.
• Maintain a library of boilerplate content, templates, and best practices for proposal development.
• Provide training and support to staff members involved in proposal development as needed.

Requirements

THE STRONGEST CANDIDATES WILL HAVE/BE: 

• Commitment to UnboundEd’s vision and core values
• Learning orientation and commitment toward diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Willingness to work alongside a dynamic, highly collaborative and mission-driven team
• Ability to work independently and effectively in a virtual, remote environment and build strong relationships with colleagues and partners across geographies and time zones
• Experience in K-12 finance, sales, and/or budgets