Proposal Specialist

Shoestring Valley Holdings is a Pacific Northwest based holding firm that serves the Real Estate and Construction industries. With over 1,000 employees across several business units, SVH is a value driven enterprise established to bring consistent and high performing shared services for target industries. SVH aims to strengthen both the employee experience and customer outcomes. Reinforcing our desire to be an enduring organization for generations to come.

SVH is committed to hiring employees of diverse backgrounds, viewpoints, and experiences. We are committed to attracting diverse talent and believe trust is built through actions, not words. Inaction is not an option. We are taking immediate steps and developing long-term solutions to enact change across four major areas: Collaboration, Operations, Culture, and Community.

CORE VALUES:

• LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIPS
• CLIENT IS #1
• TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
• SEEK CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
• CAN BANK ON OUR WORD
• DO EVERYTHING AS A TEAM
• ALWAYS PRODUCE WORK THAT MAKES US PROUD
• DO IT SAFELY, OR WE DON'T DO IT
• IS TREATED AS AN INDIVIDUAL WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT

Job Purpose:

The Proposal Specialist is a competent page layout designer and collaborates with the entire marketing team, executive leadership, project staff (including field and office personnel), estimating, and others throughout the project pursuit process from RFQ->RFP->Interview->Debrief. This involves streamlining their collective knowledge to curate and design thoughtful, cohesive proposal responses that effectively demonstrate how we work and solve problems. Critical thinking and design expertise are used to communicate detailed information with clear hierarchy and messaging, combined with photography and other graphics. As an active participant in the interview process, the Proposal Specialist also designs presentation materials as part of a holistic win strategy. This position requires a solid language and grammar foundation, excellent time management skills, and people skills to work with both technical and management staff. This deadline-driven position requires an exceptional eye for detail and a calm demeanor when under duress, with an ability to quickly solve design and software challenges to meet submission timelines.

Qualifications and Technical skills:

• 2+years in related A/E/C marketing role (preferred)
• Bachelor's degree in graphic design or marketing background; or significant on-the-job design experience
• Strong sense of page layout creation and long document management
• Understanding of how to craft a narrative / storytelling approach
• 2+ years / highly competent using Adobe InDesign
• Intermediate level using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator

Professional Qualities:

• Excellent time management and ability to prioritize work amidst multiple ongoing projects
• Attention to detail and creative, design-oriented problem-solving capabilities
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Proactive mindset and teamwork, can-do attitude
• Ability to exemplify the Core Values in all interactions with staff and the public.

RESONSIBILITIES:

Proposal Development

• Carefully read incoming RFQ/P documents to determine full scope of marketing requirements
• Manage multiple pursuits concurrently while meeting quality standards and deadlines
• Asses and prioritize deadlines to effectively manage time and allow for maximum input from team
• Work closely with Business Development and project pursuit teams to understand key differentiators and communicate them effectively throughout the response
• Brainstorm win strategies and compelling content through outlining and storyboarding
• Create responsibility matrix defining roles, deadlines and assignments
• Participate in, and occasionally lead all proposal meetings, including kickoff, status check-ins, reviews, and debriefs
• With strong layout skills: develop, design and coordinate proposal responses using InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator and other Creative Suite apps as needed
• Track progress and communicate clearly with pursuit team
• Print and bind responses either in-house or occasionally with remote printer

Interview Preparation

• Collaborate with project team to define and create compelling interview materials and presentations, including on-screen visuals, leave behind print collateral, logistics plans, placemats and more
• Attend team interview prep sessions and provide feedback in alignment with win strategy
• Assist with room setup as required
• Occasionally sit in on interview to assist with live visual coordination
• Lead coordination of, and participate in debrief process with client to provide feedback to team and for future opportunities

Marketing Team Support

• Collaborate with entire marketing team on other creative projects, events, and graphics in support of Communications, Branding and additional overarching marketing efforts
• Update project information and photos on company website
• Upload, tag and maintain photography database (Open Asset)
• Schedule regular project check-ins with teams to confirm accuracy of information, and update project database
• Review new employee resumes and upload information into marketing database (Dynamics)
• Maintain updated templates and/or project portfolios in support of Business Development efforts

Reports to: Director of Marketing

Job classification and hours:

• Salaried / Exempt Employee
• Option to work (4) 10-hour shift or (5) 8-hour shift

Location:

• Option to work in Portland, Boise, Seattle, or Eugene.
• Option for partial hybrid schedule after initial period of training and evaluation.
• Infrequent travel to business units and regions as necessary.
• Infrequent conference travel as deemed applicable for position.

Physical Demands:

Lifting < 25 pounds

Compensation:

• Employee (and their family) can enroll in the company’s medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance.
• Employee may receive an annual employer discretionary bonus.
• Employee will have access to a personal 401(k) plan (no employer match); and Discretionary Employer Contribution Plan.
• Employee will start with 130 hours of PTO not including 7 recognized holidays.

Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability, or protected veteran status. Applications from women, minority and under-represented group members, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Work Authorization: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Substance Abuse Screening: Shoestring Valley Holdings is a drug-free workplace. We conduct random, post-accident, and for-cause drug and alcohol screening. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of this drug screening and as well as future screenings.

Background Check & Driving Record: Shoestring Valley Holdings conducts background checks of all candidates. Driving records are checked for positions that require frequent driving as part of the job duties as listed in the job description. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of the pre-employment verifications.

Benefits:

• Collaborative office environment
• Free access to gym in office building(s)
• Coffee/Espresso, cold brew and snacks available at main office
• Industry organization memberships and events
• Year End Bonus Program
• Profit Sharing Plan
• 401k Self Driven Program w/ Access to Financial Advisor
• 7 Paid Holidays + Generous & Flexible PTO Program
• 75% Paid by Owner PPO Medical/Dental/Vision Plan (includes Naturopathic & Chiropractic Care)
• Cancer Guard Screening Program
• Wellness Incentive Program – Active participation earns you reductions in healthcare premiums
• Employee Assistance Program
• Telemedicine Option
• Employee Referral Incentive Program
• Education Assistance for Continued Education
• Wellness Seminars & Brown Bags
• Discounted Income Protection Plans:
• Gradifi, Student Loan Refinance Plans
• Estate Planning
• Refinance and Purchase Programs for Home Buyers
• Medicare Assistance Program
• Incent Fit – Participation in fitness activities can earn you $35/mo.
• Supplemental Insurance Options
• Corporate Discount Programs from Local Retail & Clothing Vendors
• ASPCA Pet Insurance Discount
• Andersen Foundation – Be an active part of volunteer activities from soup kitchens, building support, camps, golf & cornhole tournaments.
• Fun, Festive and sometimes competitive - team building events throughout the year