Proposal Business Development Manager - HYBRID - Creative Associates International

Creative Associates International is a dynamic, global development company that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic institutions, and stabilization. Based in Chevy Chase, MD (metro Washington, D.C. area), Creative has programs in more than 30 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Founded in 1977, Creative is a minority-owned, mission-driven organization that has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.

We value diversity — in backgrounds and in experiences. We are deliberate and self-reflective about the kind of team and culture that we are building, seeking staff that are not only strong in their own aptitudes but care deeply about supporting each other's growth. Our success depends on all our employees' points of view, and the principle that inclusion is everyone's responsibility. 

Position Summary:

This is a management position that performs a variety of complex business development assignments on proposal teams. Responsibilities include leading and supporting cross-functional proposal teams (including Education in Development, Communities in Transition, Economic Growth, Contracts and Pricing and Human Resources) for contract or cooperative agreement funded proposals.  The incumbent ensures the development and delivery of competitive proposals, participates in preparatory efforts for bid pursuits, develops partnerships and client relationships, tracks procurement opportunities, and provides guidance on pre-bid intelligence gathering efforts. The incumbent works within the parameters of Creative’s Business Development Policy and Procedures, including Creative’s Style Manual, and all company policies, procedures and timelines to support proposal submissions that are technically and financially sound, responsive, compliant, and of the highest quality.

Reporting & Supervision:

The Proposal Business Development Manager works under general supervision and reports to and is typically supervised by the Director of Business Development Operations, Director of Regional Business Development, interim Vice President of the Business Development Division or designee.

Expected Outcomes:

• Successful leadership of assigned proposal development projects, ensuring the integrity of implementation of Creative’s business development process;
• Coach and mentor junior staff in business development;
• Continue deepening understanding and skills in proposal development and apply lessons learned from prior proposal teams to subsequent assignments;
• Provide dynamic representation of business development across the company; develop desired synergies and alliances when working on assigned proposals for technical program divisions;
• Continue proactive involvement within the international development industry and proposal management profession to stay abreast latest developments, innovations, and best practices.

• Works with Technical Leads to form proposal development team(s); in collaboration with Technical Lead(s), develops technical volume outlines, compliance matrices, and layout and style protocols;
• Develops the proposal development packet for kick-off, including the proposal development calendar; organizes and leads the kick-off meeting and all other preparatory meetings;
• Manages proposal development team(s) from solicitation release through submission and after-action reviews, under the oversight of the Director;
• Facilitates and leads design sessions that result in agreed upon program designs responsive to the request for proposal;
• Serves as the point of contact for subcontractors and partner organizations. Prepares and assists in negotiating teaming agreements with partners;
• Reviews Technical and Cost Volumes, including annexes; conducts re-writes and substantial technical editing, as required;
• Holds regular checkpoint meetings with proposal team to ensure adherence to schedule, checks quality and compliance of response, surfaces potential problems early;
• Arranges Red, Green and Gold team reviews; assembles relevant documents for the reviews;
• Collects and submits proposal team questions to the client;
• Manages review process and works closely with technical writers to ensure the proposal is responsive to the evaluation criteria of the solicitation;
• Oversees preparation of the proposal for production and delivery;
• Serves as a point of contact for consultants, as assigned, and receives and evaluates deliverables, including timesheets and payment requests;
• Supervises business development specialists, business development coordinators, and/or interns;
• Tracks deadlines and timelines and informs the Director of any potential problems in meeting deadlines or submitting a compliant and high-quality proposal;
• Facilitates post proposal debriefing meetings to discuss the process and identify lessons learned.
• May be required to support a bid effort in another role, e.g. proposal coordinator, should the bid be particularly large or complex.

• Bachelor's degree in International Relations, International Development or a related field and at least 6 years of relevant experience OR a Master's degree in a related field and at least 4 years of relevant experience;
• Specialized knowledge of business development and proposal writing experience on winning proposals of at least $5M in funding;
• Excellent skills in writing, editing, formatting, research, and communications;
• Excellent meeting facilitation skills and organizational skills;
• Strong knowledge of the competitive market within Creative’s technical areas;
• Commitment to international development and to values-driven work environment.

Desired Skills & Qualifications:

• Considerable knowledge of and expertise in the international development industry;
• Proficiency in a second language, preferably Spanish, French, or Arabic

The Salary Range for this position is expected to be: $98,000 to $119,800

EEOC Statement: Creative is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, age, or other legally protected characteristics. Military veterans, Ameri-Corps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.

Accessibility Notice: If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Ireneb@creativedc.com. Please view Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here. 

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision: Creative will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation. #LI-IB

Only finalists will be contacted.  No phone calls, please.