Manager, Proposal Strategy

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction of and reporting to the Executive Director of Marketing & Sales Operations, the Manager, Proposal Strategy & Operations will manage the end-to-end proposal development process. This position will be directly responsible for the preparation, management, development, and delivery of all ForHealth Consulting business proposals—from kickoff to submission—ensuring compliant and compelling deliverables. Equally critical to this role is strategic writing and the ability to produce persuasive content of the highest quality. May oversee one or more proposal coordinators.

This is a remote position, with ability to participate in on site team meetings as needed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Be responsible for and manage the end-to-end proposal process, ensuring the timely and accurately production and submission of compliant and compelling proposals to clients. This includes proposals resulting from RFPs, grant applications, business-led pursuits, and client-initiated requests.

Provide and implement process improvement recommendations so that the proposal process increases operationally efficiency and effectiveness. Leverage industry best-practices and customize to reflect ForHealth’s unique structure and needs.

As it relates to Request for Proposal (RFP) responses, specifically:

·       Oversee the development and have responsibility for ensuring timely and accurate submission of all RFP responses.

·       Analyze RFP documents to understand requirements and provide key information (e.g., dates, conditions, scoring criteria, etc.) to the           proposal team.

·       Properly interpret solicitation requirements, ensuring RFP responses are always compliant.

·       Develop proposal outline and templates in line the with RFP requirements (e.g., governing document organization, templates, style,              accessibility, production, etc.).

·       Have ultimate responsibility for all administrative tasks (e.g., forms, sign-off, printing, etc.).

·       Ensure production of and final delivery to client.

Create, manage, and track to detailed proposal work plans, ensuring all proposal documents are produced properly, reflective of the highest quality, and delivered on time. Conduct regular proposal progress status meetings, monitoring completion of action items and maintaining the proposal schedule.

Hold ultimate responsibility for all administrative tasks related to proposals, including but not limited to: proper maintenance of proposal files and associated documents on the proposal team site; accurate and timely communications regarding client updates, document status, upcoming internal and external deadlines, and formal reviews; compilation and completion of all forms, signatures, and authorizations; and facilitation and documentation of reviews and approvals from all necessary stakeholders.

Act as liaison and coordinate between ForHealth Business Units and UMass Chan Departments (e.g., Office of Management, InfoSec, Office of Sponsored Programs).

Organize and facilitate proposal reviews and associated processes with stakeholders, ensuring all internal protocols are followed and documented.

Collaborate with and provide strategic guidance to graphics team to develop templates and standards for proposal look and feel, meaningful graphic elements, and presentation materials.

Oversee maintenance of database of proposal content (past proposals, boilerplate language, project qualifications, bios and resumes, etc.), and ensure all relevant database information is stored, organized, updated regularly, and searchable for future proposals.

Write compliant and compelling proposal content. Author non-technical portions of the proposal (i.e., cover letters, executive summaries, project descriptions, resumes and bios, win themes, executive summaries, etc.). Co-author technical portions of the proposal (i.e., methodologies, management plans, requirements, etc.) with input from subject matter experts (SMEs).

Provide substantive edits of each proposal draft so that requirements are satisfied or, if unable to edit the content and in need of additional SME input, provide comprehensive reviews of proposal content so that any requirement gaps are flagged to and can be addressed by the SMEs.

Provide strategic edits of each proposal draft, ensuring win themes are integrated and any discrepancies in answers have been identified an addressed.

Develop proposal frameworks, outlines, and templates that reflect requirements and incorporate evaluation criteria.

Capture, shape, synthesize, and edit information to create a cohesive proposal, written in one voice. Translate complex solutions and methodologies into easily understandable, readable, and compelling responses, and technical information and jargon into clear, crisp, and consistent content.

Engage strategically with proposal teams, posing questions that encourage the team to draw out essential messaging and guide them to providing compliant, compelling content.

Participate in workgroup sessions to develop winning strategies and solutioning, including the identification and articulation of win themes, value propositions, and differentiators and produce excellent written content that captures and incorporates that information.

Develop proposal narratives and win themes both independently and through internal ForHealth Consulting and UMass Chan SME interactions and interviews.

Craft persuasive and precise executive summaries for proposals that are engaging, accurate, and succinct.

Draft and write strong, compelling boilerplate content to reflect ForHealth Consulting and resonate with both existing and potential clients, center their needs and interests, and differentiate our brand and voice. Expertly customize boilerplate content so that it reflects a specific target audience and their needs and interests while still maintaining the single, consistent brand and voice of ForHealth Consulting.

Provide final, client-ready drafts that have been expertly proofed, copyedited, and reflect the expected level of quality, specifically adhering to any provided style guides.

Contribute to the overall department activities.

Have responsibility across multiple, concurrent projects.

Perform other duties as required.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelors Degree with 5-7 years of experience of technical proposal writing, preferably in various health care and/or human services settings.
• Demonstrated success of exceptional proposal writing and editing (viewable in a professional portfolio).
• Proven familiarity with the RFx process (specifically, public sector procurements).
• Ability to sift through a discussion, extracting the most significant information and key points.
• Ability to work on multiple projects for multiple teams simultaneously.
• Excellent time management skills, including prioritizing, scheduling, and adapting as necessary.
• Exceptional verbal, organizational, leadership, and project management skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with individuals at multiple level, from peers to executive leadership.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment.
• High level of self-motivation and accountability.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, remote environment with rapid turnaround times and short-term deadlines.
• Strict adherence to editorial and style guides and standards.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

PREFERRED WORK EXPERIENCE:

• Experience in health care and/or human services agencies.
• Experience in health care and/or human services consulting.
• Experience in proposal management.
• A portfolio of writing samples.