BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CREATIVE MANAGER - HIGHER EDUCATION

A family of companies and experiences

As the leading foodservice and support services company, Compass Group USA is known for our great people, great service and our great results. If you’ve been hungry and away from home, chances are you’ve tasted Compass Group’s delicious food and experienced our outstanding service. We have over 284,000 US associates who work in award-winning restaurants, corporate cafes, hospitals, schools, arenas, museums, and more in all 50 states. Our reach is constantly expanding to shape the industry and create new opportunities for innovation. Join the Compass family today!

great people. great services. great results.

Each and every individual plays a key role in the growth and legacy of our company. We know the next big idea can come from anyone. We encourage developing and attracting expertise that differentiates us as a company as we continue to raise the bar.

Job Summary:

The Business Development Creative Manager, Higher Education Dining, leads a team of Proposal Managers and Proposal Coordinators responsible for developing high-quality, strategic proposals that drive new business and client retention across Compass Group’s Higher Education sectors. This role ensures each proposal is aligned with brand standards, sales objectives, and client expectations. As both a team leader and process owner, the Creative Manager provides guidance, removes barriers, and drives continuous improvement across the proposal lifecycle.

 

Key Responsibilities:

Team Leadership & Development

• Manage and mentor a team of Proposal Managers and Proposal Coordinators, supporting growth and performance through coaching, feedback, and clear goal-setting
• Foster a high-performance, solution-focused culture with emphasis on accountability, collaboration, and creativity
• Onboard new team members and ensure consistent understanding of proposal processes and brand standards

Proposal Process Oversight

• Oversee and assign incoming proposal requests, ensuring the right team member is matched to each opportunity based on complexity, sector, and workload
• Ensure all proposals are delivered on time, error-free, visually aligned, and strategically positioned for Compass Group’s growth goals
• Lead strategy discussions for high-value RFPs, RFIs, and renewals in collaboration with Sales, Operations, and Creative Directors

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Act as a liaison between the sales team, sector leads, subject matter experts (SMEs), and the creative team to maintain clear communication and alignment
• Partner with Creative Director, Graphic Designers, and Content Developers to ensure proposals are both compelling and compliant
• Participate in and lead kick-off calls and debriefs to continuously improve proposal effectiveness

Quality Control & Process Improvement

• Review and approve final proposals to ensure they meet internal standards and client expectations
• Monitor and enhance proposal processes, tools, and templates to improve efficiency, consistency, and scalability
• Champion the use of collaboration and workflow platforms (e.g., Smartsheet, Teams) to streamline operations

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience in proposal development, marketing, or sales enablement; experience in managing direct reports required
• Proven track record of successfully leading high-value proposals and team projects in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Strong writing, editing, and message development skills
• Familiarity with the full proposal lifecycle, including compliance, strategy, and creative execution
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Smartsheet, and Adobe Creative Cloud; working knowledge of visual storytelling a plus
• Excellent organizational, communication, and leadership skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, build cross-functional relationships, and influence outcomes

Apply to Compass Group today!

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Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer.  At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfact