BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Rocket Lab’s Business Development team is responsible for connecting customers across government and commercial sectors with our industry leading mission solutions spanning launch and space systems. They work closely with new and existing customers to understand their needs and develop tailored solutions to deliver their missions. Building and maintaining relationships with customers and internally with engineering and operations teams is at the core of our Business Development team. They have their fingers on the pulse of the space industry and are driven to deliver results for our customers and our business.

PROPOSAL MANAGER

Based out of Rocket Lab’s global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Proposal Manager plays a key role in creating compliant and compelling business proposals that win new business with U.S. and international customers. This role primarily supports the Space Systems Business Development team, with a specific focus on satellite opportunities.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Develop and execute proposal plans, including analyzing RFPs, creating outlines, and building compliance matrices.
• Collaborate with the Business Development Manager and/or Director to craft winning proposal strategies and develop compelling messaging.
• Write and manage compliant, high-quality proposals that clearly address RFP requirements.
• Take responsibility for specific sections ("volumes") of proposals, ensuring they are well-written, compliant, and align with the overall strategy.
• Lead proposal kick-off meetings and facilitate regular check-ins with contributors to ensure timelines are met.
• Coordinate with internal teams (e.g., engineering, finance, legal) to gather and refine content for proposals.
• Create and manage proposal templates, reusable content, and visual elements (e.g., charts, tables, and infographics).
• Conduct quality assurance reviews for grammar, consistency, and formatting to ensure polished submissions.
• Oversee final production and submission, ensuring proposals are delivered on time and meet customer requirements.
• Document lessons learned and recommend process improvements for future proposals.

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical, management, or business discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in proposal management.
• Demonstrated success leading proposals with values greater than $100 million.
• Technical writing expertise, with a proven ability to translate complex technical information into clear, concise, and persuasive language tailored to different audiences.
• Project management experience, with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, meeting deadlines while ensuring high-quality deliverables.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams to achieve proposal objectives.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Active U.S. security clearance.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel.
• Experience using tools such as Salesforce and SharePoint.
• Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to balance and prioritize multiple tasks.
• A background in organizational effectiveness and operations, implementing best practices.
• Experience with Proposal Frameworks and Methodologies: Familiarity with industry-standard proposal processes such as Shipley or APMP (Association of Proposal Management Professionals).
• Export Compliance Knowledge: Familiarity with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR), critical in the aerospace industry.
• Aerospace or Defense Industry Experience: A strong understanding of the competitive landscape, customer base, and technology trends in the aerospace or satellite industry.
• Oral Presentation Skills: Ability to effectively present proposal concepts and strategies to internal stakeholders, including team members and leadership.
• Interpersonal Skills: Proven ability to build relationships with internal stakeholders, including engineers, leadership, and cross-functional team members.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be willing to travel as needed (~10%).
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.
• Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing.
• Must be physically able to commute to buildings.
• Occasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate levels of noise.