Proposal Manager – Federal Government Contracting

VETS Group

. Lead end-to-end development of responses to RFPs, RFQs, RFIs, Sources Sought notices, and task order solicitations .

Posted 10/9/2026full-timeUnited StatesMid-LevelSeniorWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates extensive experience in proposal development for U.S. federal government opportunities, including managing proposals from kickoff to submission. Proficient in writing persuasive content, developing compliance matrices, and leading structured proposal reviews.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Proposal Development ExperienceFederal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) KnowledgeMicrosoft Word ProficiencyProposal Color Team ManagementOpportunity Research and Qualification

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Proposal WritingCompliance Matrix DevelopmentDocument FormattingContent EditingProposal Review Coordination

Soft Skills

Strong Organizational SkillsAbility to Lead ContributorsEffective Communication

Tools & Technologies

Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft PowerPointPDF Editing SoftwareSAM.govGSA eBuy

Certifications & Qualifications

APMP Certification

Industry Keywords

RFPRFQRFITask OrderProposal Templates

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead end-to-end development of responses to RFPs, RFQs, RFIs, Sources Sought notices, and task order solicitations
Analyze solicitations, statements of work, proposal instructions, evaluation criteria, and amendments
Identify requirements, submission risks, and clarification questions
Develop and manage proposal schedules, compliance matrices, outlines, writing assignments, and submission checklists
Conduct kickoff meetings, establish contributor expectations, track progress, and communicate risks or delays to leadership
Write, edit, and integrate executive summaries, management approaches, staffing plans, past performance narratives, and corporate experience
Translate customer priorities, company capabilities, and competitive differentiators into persuasive proposal content
Coordinate contributions from employees, subject matter experts, subcontractors, and teaming partners
Plan and lead Pink, Red, and Gold Team proposal reviews
Establish review objectives, coordinate reviewers, consolidate feedback, and oversee revisions through final leadership approval
Coordinate with pricing contributors to ensure consistency between technical, staffing, and pricing volumes
Manage final document production, formatting, quality checks, and submission
Retain submission records and confirmations
Maintain and improve proposal templates, reusable content, capability statements, past performance records, resumes, and business development materials
Support opportunity research and qualification using SAM.gov, GSA eBuy, and other relevant platforms
Capture lessons learned and recommend improvements to proposal processes, content, and tools

Requirements

What you’ll need

At least five years of proposal development experience supporting U.S. federal government opportunities for a government contractor
Demonstrated responsibility for independently managing proposals from kickoff through submission
Experience preparing proposals for professional services, including technical, management, staffing, and past performance content
Bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, Business, Marketing, Journalism, or a related field; additional directly relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree
Working knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) as it relates to proposal preparation and solicitation compliance
Ability to interpret solicitation instructions and evaluation criteria, including Sections L and M when applicable
Demonstrated ability to write, edit, and organize clear, persuasive content tailored to customer requirements
Experience developing compliance matrices and preparing proposals for final submission
Demonstrated experience managing proposal color team reviews or equivalent structured review processes
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage concurrent proposals, competing priorities, and firm deadlines
Ability to lead contributors without direct supervisory authority
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, including styles, templates, tables, and document formatting
Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, collaboration tools, and PDF editing software
Familiarity with SAM.gov and GSA eBuy
Ability to work independently in a remote environment while remaining responsive and collaborative during established core business hours
Preferred: Experience supporting small business federal contractors, including 8(a) and SDVOSB opportunities
Preferred: Experience with GSA Multiple Award Schedule proposals or task orders, GWACs, and IDIQ vehicles
Preferred: Familiarity with Shipley or comparable proposal development methods; APMP certification
Preferred: Experience supporting capture research, opportunity qualification, and bid/no-bid recommendations
Preferred: Experience coordinating cost or price volumes and contributing to pricing narratives, assumptions, and supporting documentation
Preferred: Familiarity with labor category mapping, direct and indirect costs, escalation assumptions, and staffing/pricing relationships
Preferred: Experience with Service Contract Labor Standards/SCA proposals
Preferred: Experience using GovWin, GovTribe, or comparable opportunity research and pipeline management tools
Preferred: Experience developing proposal graphics or working with graphic design contributors
Availability during established core business hours and occasional evening or weekend work when necessary

Benefits

Comp & perks

Pay is commensurate with experience and certifications
Remote work arrangement
Occasional travel to Northern Virginia for proposal planning, team collaboration, or business meetings