Proposal Writer and Capture Strategist

Who Are We?

Have you struggled to reserve that coveted summer camping spot at a state park? Wondered why you’re still filling out a paper form at the DMV? Or tried (and failed) to book your favorite pickleball court from your phone?

Kaizen Labs is rebuilding the government’s digital front door - bringing modern, people-first software to the public services millions of Americans rely on every day. From parks & recreation and permitting to licensing and payments, we’re replacing outdated systems with intuitive, beautiful technology designed for residents and the public servants who serve them.

Our platform now powers over 50 agencies across 17 states, reaching more than 40 million residents. Recent partners include Maricopa County (AZ), San Bernardino County (CA), and the Cherokee Nation. In Maryland, our platform helped eliminate seven-mile traffic jams at state parks, saving hundreds of thousands in costs and dramatically improving the visitor experience.

Founded in 2022 and based in New York City, Kaizen has raised $35 million from world-class investors, including NEA, Andreessen Horowitz, Accel, 776, and Carpenter Capital.

We’re a team of builders, designers, and operators redefining what it means to serve the public in the digital age - and we’re just getting started.

Location

This is a hybrid role based out of our New York City HQ. Candidates must reside in New York or be able to commute to New York City to work out of our office at least three times a week (Tuesdays - Thursdays).

The Role

As the second hire on Kaizen’s Proposal team, you’ll step into a unique role that blends proposal writing and market research. You’ll own the development of persuasive, well-structured RFP responses for local governments, particularly in parks and recreation, while also exploring new verticals where Kaizen can grow.

This is a high-impact position: you’ll craft the narratives that win competitive RFPs, shape the processes that will scale as the team grows, leverage AI tools to drive efficiency and effectively manage volume, and contribute to Kaizen’s long-term strategy by connecting research insights to new opportunities. It’s a great fit for someone who loves writing, thrives on structure, and is energized by the chance to influence company growth through both storytelling and strategy.

Who You Are

• You have a proven track record of writing and winning proposals for state and local governments; experience in parks and recreation is a strong plus.

• You’re a strong writer and editor who can translate technical concepts into clear, compelling language for public sector audiences.

• You’re curious and analytical, with an interest in researching new markets and verticals to inform company strategy.

• You’re organized, detail-oriented, and thrive in environments with multiple simultaneous deadlines.

• You bring a mix of independence and collaboration, comfortable working cross-functionally while also owning your projects end-to-end.

• You’re excited by the opportunity to help build and scale a proposal function in a fast-growing startup.

What You’ll Do

• Write winning proposals: Own the development of high-quality, compliant, and persuasive RFP responses for state and local governments.

• Explore new verticals: Conduct market research and synthesize insights that guide Kaizen’s entry into adjacent spaces beyond parks and recreation.

• Collaborate across teams: Work closely with product, partnerships, engineering, and leadership to gather inputs and shape compelling narratives.

• Build scalable processes: Help refine our proposal library, templates, and workflows so we can move faster as the team grows.

• Champion AI-driven efficiency: Integrate AI tools into daily workflows to maximize productivity and increase intake while maintaining excellence in proposal standards.

• Balance deadlines and strategy: Deliver on immediate proposal priorities while contributing to Kaizen’s broader market strategy.

• Be a thought partner: Work alongside our Proposal Manager to establish best practices and continue laying the foundation for a growing team.

What You Bring

• 5+ years of experience in proposal writing or management, ideally with exposure to public sector RFPs.

• Demonstrated success in winning competitive proposals at the city, county, or state level.

• Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills tailored to the public sector.

• Ability to conduct market research and connect insights to actionable strategy.

• Excellent project management skills with experience managing multiple, complex deadlines.

• Proficiency with tools like Loopio, InDesign, Figma, and proposal management platforms.

• A self-starter mindset and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Base Salary is $100k - $140k

💚 At Kaizen, we believe that great work starts with taking great care of our people. We’re building something meaningful, and that starts with a culture where people genuinely love to work. Here’s how we support you - in and out of the workplace:

🩺 Comprehensive Health Coverage

We offer Gold and Platinum PPO plans through Oxford (United), with 85% of premiums covered for employees on the Platinum plan, with a $0 premium option.

🏥 Dental, Vision & Financial Wellness

You’re covered with Guardian PPO dental and Beam vision plans - Kaizen pays 99% of premiums for employees and 50% for dependents. We also offer:

• 💳 Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA & Dependent Care FSA)

• 🛡️ $100,000 in fully paid life insurance

• 🏦 401(k) access through Guideline

🤰🏼 Parental Leave That Supports Families

Because time with your growing family matters.

• 🍼 16 weeks fully paid for birthing parents and 10 weeks paid for non-birthing parents

🗽 Everyday Support & Flexibility

• 🚆 $50/month toward your commute

• 🏡 One-time setup stipend (up to $750) for your home or NYC office

• 💪 $100/month for wellness or productivity

🎡 Perks That Make Life Better

• 🎉 $250/year for recreation - because fun matters

• 📚 $500/year for professional development - because growth does too

• 🍱 Expensed lunch three days a week when you’re in the office

• 💻 Company-provided laptop

🌴 Time Off to Recharge

• 🌅 Unlimited PTO

• 🇺🇸 All federal holidays off

• ☃️ A company-wide winter break during the week of Christmas

Kaizen provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

We are committed to maintaining a supportive and inclusive environment for people with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We respect the varied identities, abilities, cultures, and traditions of the individuals who comprise our organization and recognize the value that different backgrounds and points of view bring to our organization.

If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please email us at [email protected]. This information will be treated as confidential and used only to determine an appropriate accommodation for the interview process.