Director - Proposal Writer - Maximus
Newark, NJ 07101
About the Job
Maximus has an exciting career opportunity for a Director-level Proposal Writer position within the Federal Proposal Operations Group. This position is a highly-visible, senior-level role within the proposal organization that works closely with senior leadership, capture personnel, and operations management to write, edit, review, and produce winning proposals typically valued between $20 Million and $1Billion.
Candidates should enjoy developing complex proposals for a broad range of Federal agencies. Our ideal candidate possesses substantial Federal proposal writing experience and seeks intellectually engaging work with an opportunity to impact our customers' missions. Candidates looking to work with a company that values well-articulated, solutions-based writing tailored to solving our customers' challenges while meeting their mission objectives are encouraged to apply today.
Maximus motivates and fosters opportunities for growth. Our diverse and interesting clients and projects offer opportunities to learn something new daily. You would work among a team of friendly, dedicated, and collaborative professionals.
This remote-work opportunity may require occasional travel to Maximus HQ in McLean, VA.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Analyze RFPs and other bid opportunities to determine key requirements and deliverables.
- Work with cross-functional teams to develop proposal strategies aligned with business objectives.
- Oversee the end-to-end proposal development process, from initiation to submission.
- Coordinate with subject matter experts, writers, and other contributors to gather necessary information.
- Collaborate with business development, sales, and other teams to understand client needs and expectations.
- Participate in client meetings and discussions to gather information and clarify requirements.
- Assess and manage risks associated with proposals, including legal and contractual considerations.
- Complete post-submission reviews including score submitted proposals and proposal materials against an agreed upon quality scorecard to ensure competitiveness and design.
- Maintain current policies and procedures ensuring ongoing adherence and development of proposal standards.
- Report regularly on win-loss trending and make recommendations for process improvements and skills development training and facilitate lessons learned roundtables.
- Write responses to Requests for Proposals, Requests for Information, and other Federal Government requests
- Define response approach to assigned sections and/or RFP volumes
- Create compliant, compelling, and responsive content
- Write technical content (with SME support), management, past performance, and resumes
- Create associated concept graphics, charts, tables, appendices, and other information
- Coordinate graphic concept development with graphic designers
- Ensure win strategy, technical solution, win themes, discriminators, compliance, and understanding of the requirements are well-articulated and consistent throughout final proposal documents
- Work on issues where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth knowledge of company markets and strategic objectives
- Manage activities of two or more sections, working with multiple SMEs
- Review and edit proposal responses for grammar, brevity, consistency, compliance, win theme incorporation, solution accuracy, and other elements during regular and core team review cycles to create the final proposal submission
- Research relevant corporate, project, client, and industry data in support of content development for all lines of business
- Mentor junior writers on the team
- Remain current on all solicitation modifications/Q&As
- Collaborate with Capture Managers, Technical Leads/PMs, and SMEs as required
- Use automated proposal collaboration and document management tools, including SharePoint
- Support other Proposal Operations activities as needed
Minimum Requirements
Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in related field.
- 10-12 years of related professional experience
•Ability to develop compelling themes, discriminators, and messaging to communicate and support value proposition
•Ability to guide and effectively influence with and without authority;
•Possess strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interface with all levels of management, proposal teams, SMEs, peers, and teaming partners
•Ability to lead graphics development that supports win themes, solutions, and key messaging
•Ability to create original content using interview and research techniques
•Ability to prioritize and write several projects simultaneously, including hands-on and strategic support
•Ability to work to meet deadlines (work overtime as needed)
•Ability to work well independently or as part of a team
•Ability to work remotely and/or with geographically disparate teams
•High School degree or GED required and 15 years of relevant experience or; Bachelor's Degree with at least 10 years' proposal writing experience with at least 7 years' Federal Government proposal management, support, and/or writing experience
•Experience implementing standard proposal processes or procedures
•Fluency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and SharePoint
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Evidence of successful support to large competitive proposals with values more than $100m. Prior Volume Lead experience a plus.
•Experience leading teams of proposal writers and subject matter experts
•Candidate may be required to provide a portfolio of representative writing samples
•Formal proposal training and/or certifications (e.g., APMP) preferred
EEO Statement
Active military service members, their spouses, and veteran candidates often embody the core competencies Maximus deems essential, and bring a resiliency and dependability that greatly enhances our workforce. We recognize your unique skills and experiences, and want to provide you with a career path that allows you to continue making a difference for our country. We're proud of our connections to organizations dedicated to serving veterans and their families. If you are transitioning from military to civilian life, have prior service, are a retired veteran or a member of the National Guard or Reserves, or a spouse of an active military service member, we have challenging and rewarding career opportunities available for you. A committed and diverse workforce is our most important resource. Maximus is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Maximus provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disabled status.
Pay Transparency
Maximus compensation is based on various factors including but not limited to job location, a candidate's education, training, experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value analysis including seniority and merit systems, as well as internal pay alignment. Annual salary is just one component of Maximus's total compensation package. Other rewards may include short- and long-term incentives as well as program-specific awards. Additionally, Maximus provides a variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, paid holidays and paid time off. Compensation ranges may differ based on contract value but will be commensurate with job duties and relevant work experience. An applicant's salary history will not be used in determining compensation. Maximus will comply with regulatory minimum wage rates and exempt salary thresholds in all instances.