Senior Proposal Specialist

CDW

. Lead the largest, most complex and high-value pursuits, including multi-volume and high-dollar bids, from assignment through submission and post-submission .

Posted 10/23/2026full-timeRemote • Illinois • United StatesSenior💰 $90,000 - $126,200 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in leading complex proposal management processes, including compliance, project management, and effective communication. Proficient in utilizing generative AI tools and advanced Microsoft Office applications to enhance proposal quality and efficiency.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Proposal Management ExperienceProject Management SkillsGenerative AI ProficiencyPublic Sector Procurement ExpertiseAPMP or PMI Certification

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Proposal WritingCompliance AnalysisRisk ManagementContent DevelopmentDeadline ManagementColor Team ReviewsExecutive SummariesRFP Response PlatformsAttention to DetailIT Products Knowledge

Soft Skills

Excellent CommunicationCoaching and MentoringJudgment Under PressureCollaborationInfluencing Senior Leaders

Tools & Technologies

Microsoft OfficeAdobe AcrobatGenerative AI ToolsSharePointTeams

Certifications & Qualifications

APMP PractitionerAPMP ProfessionalPMI PMP Certification

Industry Keywords

Proposal ManagementPublic Sector ProcurementContractsTerms and ConditionsPurchasing Requirements

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

AssemblyPMP

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead the largest, most complex and high-value pursuits, including multi-volume and high-dollar bids, from assignment through submission and post-submission
Analyze requirements, evaluation criteria and risks; build compliance matrices mapping each to an owner
Research customers, incumbents and competition to inform sales-led bid/no-bid decisions
Run kickoffs, build schedules, define roles, and track risks and actions
Manage concurrent proposals with little oversight and hold contributors accountable without authority
Lead Pink, Red, Gold and White color team reviews and coordinate Green pricing reviews
Shape win strategy, themes, discriminators and value propositions
Write executive summaries and persuasive, accurate, compliant content aligned to evaluation criteria
Use approved generative AI tools to analyze solicitations, draft and refine content, verify output, protect confidential data and grow the content library
Ensure compliance with forms, certifications and page limits; manage final assembly, quality control and on-time submission
Lead debriefs and lessons-learned sessions; support clarifications, Q&A, orals, BAFOs, protests, award transition and close-out
Coach and mentor Proposal Specialists and junior staff; support onboarding and training
Lead or contribute to process, template, checklist, standards and content-library improvements
Analyze lessons learned and win/loss trends, recommend improvements and share best practices

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant work experience
Five or more years of proposal writing or proposal management experience, including leading complex responses
Excellent writing, editing and verbal communication skills, including strengthening others' work
Proven project management skills; able to lead large cross-functional teams without direct authority
Ability to manage multiple complex, deadline-driven projects at once with little oversight
Strong attention to detail and a focus on compliance
Proficiency with generative AI tools and the ability to help others adopt them
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint) and Adobe Acrobat
Sound judgment, composure under pressure and executive-level communication that influences senior leaders
Proven ability to coach and mentor others
Public sector procurement expertise, including contracts, terms and conditions and purchasing requirements
General knowledge of IT products, services and solutions
Experience with proposal content/RFP response platforms and structured color team reviews (e.g., Shipley)
APMP (Practitioner or Professional) or PMI (PMP) certification

Benefits

Comp & perks

Annual bonus target of 5% subject to terms and conditions of plan
Benefits package described at https://cdw.benefit-info.com/
Opportunities for coaching, mentoring, onboarding, training, professional development and industry events
Equitable, transparent, and respectful hiring process