Proposal Writer II

As THE leader in transit technology, Clever Devices' vision is to make meaningful contributions to worldwide mobility. Our goal is to be the leading provider of exciting technology that improves the quality of mobility in communities around the world. We are continuing to grow and are looking for a Proposal Writer II to join our team.

(Note Applicants must have 5 years of proposal writing experience)

The Proposal Writer II is responsible for leading and writing a proposal from conception through to submission by determining the proposal layout, gathering, analyzing and formatting information, writing drafts, ensuring compliance with the technical requirements, and seeking the appropriate approval. The Proposal Writer needs to ensure that we comply with all the requirements of the customer’s RFP/RFI, and clearly define the proposed technical solution, deployment, and on-going service approach. The Proposal Writer II will support the proposal activity by working with the Account Manager in deriving the proposal concepts and win strategy, leveraging the sales department and other departments as deemed necessary. The Proposal Writer II will coordinate and support the proposal review process with the sales, project management and systems engineering organizations. Ultimately, the Proposal Writer II is responsible for the entire proposal package from release of the request for proposals to shipment, including preparation, production, assembly, shipping, and confirmation of receipt. The Proposal Writer II leads proposal meetings for kickoff, addenda impacts, project management, warranty, training, and all non-technical areas, and facilitates meetings for the solution architects when necessary. The Proposal Writer II is responsible for capturing and documenting all decisions, including pricing meeting decisions and strategic decisions. The Proposal writer II sends out proposal closeout summaries to prepare the Sales Team for next steps.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Determines the proposal concept by identifying and clarifying opportunities and requirements, studying Requests for Proposal (RFPs), attending bid-board and strategy meetings
• Prepares relevant proposal information and leads meetings to advance the proposal as required
• Reviews and outlines the proposal to meet the RFP requirements and ensures the proposal clearly addresses the evaluation criteria, special requirements, and complying with all the specifications within the RFP
• Develops the proposal by assembling information including project scope, objectives/outcomes/deliverables, implementation, methods, timetable, staffing, budget, standards of performance, and evaluation; writing, revising, and editing drafts including executive summaries, conclusions, and organization credentials
• Ensures the proposal clearly defines the proposed technical solution and deployment approach, including the project management approach offered to the customer and identifies any clarifications or exceptions to the customer’s requirements
• Meets the proposal deadline by establishing priorities and target dates for information gathering, writing, review, and approval; entering and monitoring tracking data; coordinating requirements with contributors from other departments; contributing proposal status information to review meetings; transmitting proposals
• Ensures that all addendums are reviewed and acted upon
• Distributes inquiry documents to others involved in the proposal and estimates and coordinates the preparation as required, if the Proposal Specialist is unavailable.
• Manages and delivers all clarification questions to be submitted to the customer. Distribute and socialize the response and ensure the proposal reflects impacts properly
• Participates in all aspects of the proposal process including analyzing RFP/RFQ requirements, writing non-technical portions, editing and organization of materials and ensuring compliance with Clever Devices’ corporate standards as well as participating in debriefs
• Supports, and participates in, legal department review of the RFP documents, and incorporates any impacts into the proposal document
• Collaborates with the assigned pricing analyst to ensure the technical support personnel provide content to complete the pricing effort
• Works closing with the pricing analyst to ensure the technical requirements are accurately reflected in the pricing
• Participates in pricing discussions and meetings, while documenting and distributing a summary of all decisions.
• Assists the Proposal Specialist/Solutions Architect/Installation Manager in reaching out for vendor quotes pertaining to the project and confirming compliance with RFP requirements
• Maintains quality results by using templates; following proposal-writing standards including readability, consistency, and tone; maintaining proposal support databases
• Performs quality control reviews of proposal documents, prints all required copies, creates electronic copies, and assembles proposal packages
• Obtains approvals by reviewing proposal content with key internal stakeholders
• Prepares all shipping information and ensures shipment and delivery
• Finalizes proposal by evaluating text, graphics, and binding; coordinating printing
• Supports post award debriefs with transit agency to learn the strong and weak points of the proposal and address the weaknesses, as deemed necessary, in order to make successive proposals stronger
• Stays connected to the industry and seeks out industry and competitor trends, and communicates such trends to management. Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; maintaining personal networks. Understands new product development as it relates to developing the proposal technical solution
• Coordinates and collaborates with Proposal Production Team to improves proposal-writing results by evaluating and re-designing processes, approach, coordination, creates new material for the library, and implements changes. Gathers proposal information by identifying sources of information; coordinating submissions and collections
• Obtains feedback from the project deployment/sales organization for “lessons learned” to incorporate in future proposals
• Updates the bid library as required

Skills Required:

• 5 years of Proposal Writer Experience
• Strong organizational skills
• Strong project management skills and ability to meet deadlines in a comprehensive manner; ability to handle multiple tasks and prioritize
• Excellent computer skills including working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Project, Visio, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, as well as ability to learn new software programs
• Ability to identify, analyze, and communicate risks and to develop risk mitigation strategies
• Exceptional written, presentation, interpersonal and communications skills
• Comfortable presenting to senior management
• Ability to understand technical and business concepts
• Creative problem solving
• Strategic planning, analytical thinking and market research skills
• Willingness to work late and work over the weekend on occasion to meet deadlines
• Strong understanding of the transit industry and intelligent transit systems used on public transportation is preferred
• Post-Secondary education preferable in a technical or business field

The compensation range posted for this position represents the anticipated minimum and maximum compensation for this position based upon a good faith and reasonable estimate. The exact compensation offered will depend on several factors such as the candidate’s experience, skills, training, education and/or physical location; internal equity; and, budget.

In addition, Clever Devices Ltd. offers a variety of benefits to eligible employees, including health insurance coverage, wellness and family support programs, life and disability insurance, retirement savings plans, paid leave programs, education-related programs, paid holidays and time off, and many others, depending on the level and position offered. Many of these benefits are subsidized or fully paid for by the company.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice based on business need.