Senior Proposal Lead

SMMA

Senior Proposal Lead guiding complex proposals, qualifications, and interviews for SMMA, an employee-owned multidisciplinary AEC design firm. Managing pursuit strategy, content, compliance, and submissions.

Posted 8/21/2026full-timeCambridge • Massachusetts • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $95,000 - $115,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in leading proposal development processes, including opportunity evaluation, content creation, and compliance management, while effectively collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. Possesses strong writing, editing, and project management skills to deliver high-quality, persuasive proposals in the AEC industry.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Proposal DevelopmentProject ManagementWriting and EditingOpportunity EvaluationAEC Industry Experience

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Proposal WritingContent CreationDocument FormattingCompliance ManagementRFI AnalysisRFP AnalysisProposal SchedulingResearch and AnalysisCritical ThinkingGraphic/Layout Skills

Soft Skills

Verbal CommunicationDetail-OrientedOrganizational SkillsCollaborationTime Management

Tools & Technologies

VantagepointProcurement PortalsIndustry Databases

Industry Keywords

AEC IndustryProposal Best PracticesClient-Focused MessagingMultidisciplinary TeamsPursuit Lifecycle

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead and manage the full pursuit lifecycle, including opportunity evaluation, kickoff meetings, strategy development, content creation, reviews, submissions, and interview preparation.
Analyze RFIs, RFQs, RFPs, and other procurement documents to identify requirements, assess pursuit opportunities, and develop response strategies.
Develop proposal schedules, compliance matrices, outlines, assignments, and review processes to ensure timely, high-quality submissions.
Compose and format documents with strong reader-friendly graphic/layout skills.
Collaborate with market leaders, technical staff, and subject matter experts to gather information, define win themes, and develop compelling proposal content.
Write, edit, and tailor proposal narratives to clearly communicate SMMA's qualifications, experience, and value proposition.
Coordinate with subconsultants and project partners to obtain required qualifications, schedules, certifications, and commitment materials.
Conduct opportunity searches and maintain firm profiles and qualifications within procurement portals and industry databases.
Manage and maintain proposal resources, including project descriptions, resumes, templates, boilerplate content, and lessons learned.
Track pursuits, maintain pipeline data and opportunity records in Vantagepoint, and provide regular pursuit status reporting to market leadership.
Participate in post-submission debriefs and pursuit analyses, identifying opportunities to strengthen future proposals and processes.
Stay informed on industry trends, client priorities, competitor activity, and proposal best practices within the AEC industry.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in Communications, English, Marketing, Journalism, Business, or a related field preferred.
Minimum of 7 years of experience leading qualifications, proposals, and interview materials, preferably within the AEC industry.
Demonstrated experience leading complex pursuits and coordinating multidisciplinary teams through all phases of the proposal development process.
Exceptional writing, editing, proofreading, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate technical content into clear, persuasive, client-focused messaging.
Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Detail-oriented with a commitment to accuracy, quality, and compliance.
Strong research, analytical, and critical thinking skills.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Employee-owned firm (ESOP)
Hybrid work-from-home policy
Competitive benefits package
Company-funded MA Paid Family and Medical Leave
401(k) with company match
Employee Assistance Program
Mentor/protégé program
Educational and licensure reimbursement
Professional development opportunities