Lead Proposal Writer-Editor

Job Family:

Proposal Management

Travel Required:

Up to 10%

Clearance Required:

None

Guidehouse is looking for a lead technical writer/editor to support writing and editing of public sector proposal deliverables, typically prepared in MS Word and Power Point. Our proposal writers/editors help write, review, proofread, and copy edit various sections of proposals, providing compliance with solicitation requirements and adherence to Guidehouse branding standards. The successful candidate must demonstrate an ability to work efficiently under conditions of multiple deadlines and changing priorities to produce a large volume of high-quality material with attention to detail. This position will also provide direct guidance to SME writers on how to construct effective proposal content, including acting as a color team reviewer. Therefore, the ideal candidate will have proposal management experience.

The technical proposal writer should be able to craft outlines and approaches based on RFP instructions, existing proposal content, Guidehouse’s solutions library, and interviews with SMEs. They will be expected to serve as a volume lead for management, staffing, quality or security content. 

What You Will Do:

Proposal Support:

• Write sections or the entire proposal, depending on the nature of the tasks required. The expectation is to perform more technical writing to address RFP requirements including outline development, content planning, strategy implementation, draft writing, and final editing. Narrative subjects may include executive summaries, management structure and approach, organizational charts, schedule narratives, design/build and construction approaches, phasing and logistics plan narratives, technical design solutions using drafts provided by design team, safety, and quality. 

• Interview technical experts and operational resources to gather information that supports proposal development and transforms that information into clear, concise, compelling proposal text.

• Collaborate with Proposal Managers on kickoff material to provide guidance to SMEs tasked with writing proposal sections.

• Provide iterative guidance to individual SMEs tasked with writing to make sections more compelling and easier to evaluate.

• Collaborate with graphic artists to conceptualize visuals (diagrams, workflows, icons, etc.) to accompany writing.

• Perform substantive reviews of both text and graphics, ensure the assigned writing sections comply with RFP requirements, contain win strategies and win themes, and comply with standard format and style criteria.

• Review and copy edit proposals to ensure a compliant product ready for client review; proofread for content, grammar, style, formatting; edit, organize, and reference attachments and exhibits. Edit proposals in accordance with established styles, referencing our Guidehouse style manual, proposal proofreading checklist, and at times, client-specific writing or style guides. Edit to achieve one-voice, readability, clarity, and responsiveness to requirements.

• Apply Guidehouse’s brand messaging, including tone, style, and theme, within all responses. Effectively and consistently demonstrate and promote the Guidehouse solutions and value proposition. Help edit copy to meet page limitations. 

• Identify, re-use, edit, and contribute content in the proposal content management systems.

• Coordinate with subject matter experts to inform responses to RFPs and/or to support the maintenance of content organized in knowledge base, including its technical accuracy.

• Recommend continuous improvement initiatives to refine writing processes and techniques as appropriate.

• Proof work to minimize errors; rework errors.

• Ensure that proposal documentation is retained in accordance with company and department procedures.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Contribute to or lead team initiatives or special projects such as updates to writing guides.

• Provide orientation and training for new proposal team members on proposal writing and editing processes and tools.

What You Will Need:

• Bachelor’s Degree; Four (4) years additional professional experience may be substituted in lieu of degree. 

• Six (6) + years of experience in professional services drafting technical approaches or scope of work documents, in collaboration with consultant/SME teams, in accordance with client requirements and company procedures.

• Advanced skills in Word, Power Point, SharePoint, and PDF.

• High level of attention to detail and a commitment to high-quality work.

• Abili