Proposal Manager - Utility Clients and Energy Sector (Remote US)

Mid-level Proposal Manager, Energy, Environment & Infrastructure, Remote U.S.

ICF is in the business of Making Big Things Possible and we are looking for a mid-level proposal manager to support our energy, environment, and infrastructure business. We provide professional services and technical solutions that maximize impacts for people, businesses, and government in areas critical to the world's future.

What we are looking for:

We are looking for an enthusiastic and capable proposal manager, ideally experienced in the types of requests for proposals (RFPs) typically received from energy clients such as investor-owned utilities, and who is genuinely passionate about strategy and positioning us to win. We are looking for someone who will add to our cohesive, dynamic team to help develop compelling proposals and coach winning orals/interviews.

The ideal candidate will have strong communication and facilitation skills, experience in writing and editing, excellent attention to detail, organizational and planning skills, and the ability to take direction and identify priorities and multi-task, all while demonstrating a professional demeanor, flexible attitude, and a willingness to take initiative in fast-paced, complex business environment.

This position can work remotely from anywhere in the United States.

What you will be doing:

• Lead the preparation, management, and administration of the RFP responses, including the coordination of effort with all involved parties.
• Review and understand all proposal requirements to ensure appropriate subject matter experts (SMEs) are involved to determine the best product and services fit to meet requirements.
• Organize cross-functional teams for various meetings
• Develop proposal plan, annotated proposal outline (including basic formatting), compliance matrix, and schedule, and monitor progress to ensure all deadlines are met. Verify proposal template aligns with all RFP requirements.
• Schedule and facilitate solutioning sessions, and support teams in articulating key messages, discriminators, benefits, and proof statements.
• Establish and delegate writing assignments. The proposal manager should be comfortable pulling in/drafting original text standard proposal sections (company overview, past performance, etc.) and other sections as appropriate, including resumes and past performance. Ensure all written materials reflect the key messages identified during solutioning development and are written in a persuasive style.
• Coordinate Requests for Information with teaming partners/subconsultants.
• Manage each stage of the writing process (color reviews) to ensure drafts are progressing and communicate with teams when there are gaps in content and/or delays.
• Review proposal response to validate accuracy, ensure adherence to company policy (through coordination with contracts, pricing, and other corporate functions), satisfaction of customer specifications, and quality of material sent to customers. Ensure all questions or comments in the document are addressed.
• Brief proposal team on deliverables status and ensure adherence to internal deadlines; document and update processes and procedures to ensure consistency of approach.
• Develop and manage the schedule for and lead all color reviews and other required team touch points including recovery of proposal after reviews and final compliance, messaging, and continuity between technical, management, and cost volumes or sections. Determine gaps in the response, ensuring all questions or comments in the document are addressed.
• Work with proposal writers and graphics design team to create visuals that simply convey complex ideas, processes, or information.
• Ensure ongoing communication and collaboration with contracts, pricing leads, ad-hoc services (formatting, editing), etc. to keep all proposal components and deliverables on schedule.
• Coordinate oral/interview preparation meetings including helping to identify a presentation approach and ensuring discriminators are articulated; manage production of necessary props (PowerPoint slides, leave-behinds, boards, etc.). Facilitate orals rehearsals.
• Participate in ad hoc working groups, e.g., process improvements and tool updates.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (preferably in Communications, English, Business Administration, Marketing, or similar)
• 5+ years of applicable experience managing the entire proposal process
• 3+ years of experience in a professional setting
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Project, Outlook, and Teams), Adobe Acrobat, and SharePoint Understanding of the color review process, i.e., Shipley.

Preferred Skills/