Proposal Manager - Energy Sector/State & Local (Remote US)

Mid-level Proposal Manager, Energy, Environment & Infrastructure, Remote U.S.

ICF is in the business of Making Big Things Possible and we are looking for a mid-level proposal manager to support our energy, environment, and infrastructure business. We provide professional services and technical solutions that maximize impacts for people, businesses, and government in areas critical to the world's future.

What we are looking for:

We are looking for an enthusiastic and capable proposal manager, ideally experienced in the types of requests for proposals (RFPs) typically received from energy clients such as investor-owned utilities and/or state and local entities, and who is genuinely passionate about strategy and positioning us to win. We are looking for someone who will add to our cohesive, dynamic team to help develop compelling proposals and coach winning orals/interviews.

The ideal candidate will have strong communication and facilitation skills, experience in writing and editing, excellent attention to detail, organizational and planning skills, and the ability to take direction and identify priorities and multi-task, all while demonstrating a professional demeanor, flexible attitude, and a willingness to take initiative in fast-paced, complex business environment.

This position can work remotely from anywhere in the United States.

What you will be doing:

• Lead the preparation, management, and administration of the RFP responses, including the coordination of effort with all involved parties.
• Review and understand all proposal requirements to ensure appropriate subject matter experts (SMEs) are involved to determine the best product and services fit to meet requirements.
• Organize cross-functional teams for various meetings
• Develop proposal plan, annotated proposal outline (including basic formatting), compliance matrix, and schedule, and monitor progress to ensure all deadlines are met. Verify proposal template aligns with all RFP requirements.
• Schedule and facilitate solutioning sessions, and support teams in articulating key messages, discriminators, benefits, and proof statements.
• Establish and delegate writing assignments. The proposal manager should be comfortable pulling in/drafting original text standard proposal sections (company overview, past performance, etc.) and other sections as appropriate, including resumes and past performance. Ensure all written materials reflect the key messages identified during solutioning development and are written in a persuasive style.
• Coordinate Requests for Information with teaming partners/subconsultants.
• Manage each stage of the writing process (color reviews) to ensure drafts are progressing and communicate with teams when there are gaps in content and/or delays.
• Review proposal response to validate accuracy, ensure adherence to company policy (through coordination with contracts, pricing, and other corporate functions), satisfaction of customer specifications, and quality of material sent to customers. Ensure all questions or comments in the document are addressed.
• Brief proposal team on deliverables status and ensure adherence to internal deadlines; document and update processes and procedures to ensure consistency of approach.
• Develop and manage the schedule for and lead all color reviews and other required team touch points including recovery of proposal after reviews and final compliance, messaging, and continuity between technical, management, and cost volumes or sections. Determine gaps in the response, ensuring all questions or comments in the document are addressed.
• Work with proposal writers and graphics design team to create visuals that simply convey complex ideas, processes, or information.
• Ensure ongoing communication and collaboration with contracts, pricing leads, ad-hoc services (formatting, editing), etc. to keep all proposal components and deliverables on schedule.
• Coordinate oral/interview preparation meetings including helping to identify a presentation approach and ensuring discriminators are articulated; manage production of necessary props (PowerPoint slides, leave-behinds, boards, etc.). Facilitate orals rehearsals.
• Participate in ad hoc working groups, e.g., process improvements and tool updates.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (preferably in Communications, English, Business Administration, Marketing, or similar)
• 5+ years of applicable experience managing the entire proposal process
• 3+ years of experience in a professional setting
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Project, Outlook, and Teams), Adobe Acrobat, and SharePoint Understanding of the color review process, i.e., Shipley.

Preferred Skills/Experience:

• Experience managing proposals for clients across the US (regardless of time zone)
• Ability to manage and work with various sized proposal teams, including all levels of internal staff, as well as outside teaming partners
• Excellent verbal, interpersonal, and written communication skills
• Experience working in a fast-paced, client-oriented environment
• Experience creating prompts and agents using generative AI tools with an understanding of how to apply them to streamline proposal development workflows
• Ability to work to meet deadlines (nights, weekends, and holidays, if needed)
• Experience and understanding of the proposal response process, such as training by Shipley
• Demonstrated ability to leverage generative AI technologies and tools (e.g., MS Copilot, AI Foundry, ChatGPT) to streamline proposal writing, research, or formatting tasks

Working at ICF

We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer.Together, our employees are empowered to share theirexpertiseand collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read our EEOpolicy.

Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals withsincerely heldreligious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To requestan accommodation,please email Candidateaccommodation@icf.com and we will be happy toassist. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extentrequiredto provide needed reasonable accommodations. 

Read more about workplace discrimination rightsor our benefit offerings which are included in the Transparency in (Benefits) CoverageAct.

At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate orassistwith responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is notpermitted. This policy is in place tomaintainthe integrity and authenticity of the interview process. 

However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodation that involves the use of AI. Ifsuch anaccommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance at candidateaccommodation@icf.com. Weare dedicated to providingthe necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed. 

Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.

The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is: