Director of Proposals

Are you looking for an opportunity to truly make a difference? Do you want to join a collaborative, mission-driven team that protects the planet, strengthens communities, and supports businesses when they need it most? Are you seeking a place where your work contributes directly to an organization known for excellence in environmental services, crisis management, and emergency response? If your answer is “yes,” then you belong at Ambipar.

Position Summary 

We are seeking a Director of Proposals with extensive experience successfully leading proposal operations and managing a diverse proposal team, all while maintaining a notable record of submitting winning proposals. The Director of Proposals will be responsible for the leadership, management, and ongoing development of the Witt O’Brien’s Proposal Team, comprised of talented proposal specialists, proposal coordinators, and graphic designers geographically dispersed across the country. You will be expected to direct the full lifecycle of the proposal preparation process for local, state, and federal government opportunities. This position will coordinate the efforts of and work collaboratively with capture managers, practice leaders, and technical SMEs to plan, develop, and deliver compliant, complete, and compelling proposals. The Proposal Team supports capture coaching, letter proposals, and solicitation responses through orals interviews and best and final offers (BAFO).

This position requires the ability to comfortably work with senior management, subject matter experts, technical staff and external partners while simultaneously leading, managing, and mentoring staff assigned to the Proposal Team.  It also demands the ability to engage at an executive level in the business development process by providing value added insight on win strategies and differentiators based on continuous assessment of proposal success and client feedback.  The use of a CRM to manage and report on proposal support is an essential component of the role.

The ideal candidate is a thought-leader, able to see the big picture without overlooking the details, fosters a positive and responsive team environment, and can quickly adjust to dynamic proposal development schedules and requirements, while managing corporate processes, systems/tools, and activities related to proposal execution and knowledge management.

Position Details

• Reports to: VP, Capture Management
• Location:  Remote
• Position Type:  Full-Time
• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Pay:  Salary
• Compensation:  Commensurate with experience
• Travel:  10 - 20%

Essential Job Functions

• Support the Sector’s strategic business plan and associated business development strategy designed to capture and win highly competitive business within the public sector/government, as well as within emerging markets.
• Lead the Proposal Team, providing guidance and direction in the management and development of complex, thoughtful, and competitive proposals in collaboration with the Practice Leaders, capture managers, and technical SMEs.
• Address and be accountable for Proposal Team’s compliance with solicitation requirements by managing and controlling all proposal activities against the proposal schedule and the RFP's requirements.
• Manage quality by ensuring reviews and rigorous quality controls for effective story selling, compliance, completeness, and easy-to-read/score proposals that are visually effective.  
• Manage and continually improve on the Proposal Team’s use of management systems, processes, tools, and databases.
• Collaborate with the capture team and executive leadership to discuss the competitive landscape and client pain points to develop strong win themes that are clearly articulated throughout the proposal. 
• Contribute to Sector’s weekly Go/No Go discussions, identifying proposal resource/staffing issues as well as any red flags regarding the opportunity.
• Possess strong communication skills, both verbally and in writing. Interact effectively with senior and executive leadership and Sector staff throughout the proposal lifecycle, from Capture Phase, including pre-RFP, through post proposal submission, to include coaching the selected team in RFP-required oral presentations.
• Work under pressure -- This is a highly collaborative position that requires ability to work under pressure and under challenging deadlines of proposals that have executive-level visibility.

Minimum Job Requirements

• 10+ years of relevant proposal writing and proposal management experience with at least 5 years of experience in a people leadership/management role and 5+ years relevant proposal writing and management experience with U.S. Federal government, state, and/or local/municipal government in the professional services.
• Solid understanding of opportunity capture and demonstrated ability to participate at an executive level in the business development process, as may be required.
• Ability to review and understand the requirements of a complex government-led request for proposal (RFP), coordinate a series of meetings to gather input from proposal team participants, business leaders and executive staff to outline a compliant response and publish a complete, compliant, and compelling document for submission.
• Strong understanding of the development and execution of the proposal methodology, process, and tools.
• Proven experience writing, editing, and re-writing inputs from others in order to achieve a track record of winning proposals, qualifications, and oral presentations.
• Experience mentoring and growing a proposal team; demonstrated experience of successfully leading a diverse proposal team and effectively managing the range of proposal activities.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate across diverse audiences and influence cross-functionally.
• Ability to foster a sense of community and belonging within the Proposal Team by creating and upholding a culture of teamwork and collaboration.
• Ability to multi-task, as well as be strategic, creative, and innovative in a dynamic, fast-paced matrix team environment.
• Self-starter with a positive attitude and the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• High proficiency in the MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project), Adobe Acrobat, and SharePoint and experience working in CRM platforms (preferably Microsoft Dynamics 365).
• High proficiency in managing proposal libraries.
• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, English, Journalism, Public Administration/Government, or related field; or equivalent experience.

Preferred Job Requirements

• Experience leading and developing proposals for U.S. Federal government, state, county, and municipal governments opportunities.
• History of being an effective leader of large, diverse teams and able to attract, develop, and retain talented proposal staff.
• Experience solving complex problems related to proposal transactions using a creative and collaborative mindset.
• Strong collaborator adept at teaming with key stakeholders at all levels across the firm and external teaming partners to develop winning proposals and orals presentations.
• Expertise in proposal management processes, procedures, and technologies to support proposal development and management.
• Passionate about developing proposals of the highest quality, while streamlining processes, and looking for opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Proposal management training experience and/or AMPM certification(s) desirable.
• Experience and familiarity utilizing Microsoft Teams for communications, meetings, and channel(s) usage for tracking and sharing proposal documents, notes, and research data.
• Experience working with databases (preferably Microsoft SharePoint).

Work Schedule

Requires the flexibility and willingness to adapt work schedule, if necessary, to support Sector’s time-sensitive or pressing needs (i.e., when the company is facing an impending bid/proposal deadline directly related to a strategic client or Sector target). 

Job Description and Hiring Disclaimer

This position description incorporates the core responsibilities of the job. It recognizes that other related duties not specifically mentioned might also be performed, and that not all responsibilities may be carried out depending on operational needs.

The hiring department will conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check, and no job application submitted prior to such interview shall inquire into an applicant's criminal history. If this position is subject to a background check for any convictions related to its responsibilities and requirements, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history. Criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate.

Commitment to Diversity

• Witt O'Brien's is always looking for the most qualified and experienced professionals with a passion for public safety, emergency management, homeland security, disaster response, and continuity of operations.
• We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veteran/Disabled

With you when it counts.