Senior Proposal Manager - D&A Communications

About Us

We are an equity-first, full-service, integrated communications agency that supports clients to lead with cultural intelligence, find equitable solutions, and reach diverse audiences.

About Our Culture

We encourage your ideas and input, and as an equity-first agency, your voice and lived experience make a significant impact both internally and on the communities we serve. We believe in work/life balance and are constantly evolving to meet the ever-changing needs of our employees and our community. We champion making space for our team members to have the freedom to openly and actively contribute their diverse perspectives. We believe that people work best in an environment where they are recognized for their efforts and respected as individuals. We work collaboratively as a team. We measure our success against our values:

Grit-We do whatever it takes to deliver. We take ownership. We persevere and we are persistent.

Courage-We are brave and daring. We are willing to go beyond our comfort zone. We are curious leaders who don’t settle for the status quo.

Intentionality-We are committed to meaningful work and creating impact. Everything we do is focused, deliberate, and purposeful. We don’t wait for change. We are proactive instead of reactionary in our approach. We approach every great challenge and every small task with the belief that our work has the power to change the world for the better.

Fluency-We are accomplished professionals who take pride in lifelong learning, continuous improvement, and staying on the cutting edge of our field. We’re on the pulse of what's now, and we’re on the pulse of what's next.

Resilience-We leverage our experiences to solve current challenges. We are quick to respond and recover with optimism and conviction.

Creativity-We take a generative approach to creativity that results in bold future-focused ideas that delight and deliver results.

We foster a hardworking, energetic, passionate, creative, and remote-first culture. D&A also promotes a dynamic working environment, offering full-time jobs with no travel requirements and optional remote flexibility. Eligible employees also receive a comprehensive benefits package and competitive compensation that includes medical, dental, and health benefits and LTD, STD, ADD/Life. Benefits include vacation and sick time, holidays, a 401(k) matched by D&A, a professional development stipend, and a monthly phone/internet reimbursement. We strongly believe in and gladly support investing in our employees, their health and well-being, future retirement, and professional development.

General Purpose:

To lead the creation, management, and oversight of public sector proposal processes, ensuring successful submissions that are accurate, compliant, competitive, and reflect our equity lens. This role’ main focus will be on writing engaging and persuasive public sector proposals, while also identifying and pursuing new public sector opportunities,managing the complexities of government/public RFPs, and ensuring that our Agency’s value and capabilities are communicated effectively.

What You Will Be Doing:

As a Senior Proposal Manager (Public Sector), you will lead our public sector business development efforts by overseeing and writing high-quality, compelling proposals that align with government/public agency RFP requirements. This includes reviewing, managing, and customizing proposals to reflect priorities and goals. You will write the proposal content, ensuring that each submission tells a clear, persuasive narrative, and delivers a compelling value proposition through an equity lens. You will also identify new opportunities, manage the intricacies of public sector RFPs, and guide cross-functional teams to create tailored responses that articulate our Agency’s unique value and competitive edge. This role involves strategic oversight, hands-on writing, and collaborative leadership to influence meaningful business growth through impactful public sector work.

Examples of the types of proposals you will work on writing and preparing for submission may include addressing barriers to mobility and transportation in underserved communities; rebranding beloved places, spaces, infrastructure, and government agencies that make up the fabric of our community; working with community groups and city departments to advance reform of government fees and fines that adversely impact low-income residents and communities of color; raising awareness about environmental resilience; creating marketing strategies and branding that reflects an equity lens; crafting integrated communications strategies to reach people where they are; and creating public policy initiatives that ensure diversity and inclusion is valued.

Who You Are

Your career has focused on public sector, mission-driven work, and you are passionate about driving meaningful social impact. Your values are aligned with those of our Agency, and you are skilled at using your expertise to make a difference in diverse communities.

You are…

• Strategically savvy, with a proven ability to identify opportunities and navigate the complexities of public sector business development.
• A clear and persuasive communicator, adept at simplifying complex ideas into compelling narratives tailored for public sector audiences.
• A meticulous writer, skilled at producing articulate, engaging, and error-free proposal content. A self-starter who thrives in deadline-driven environments, managing multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining high standards of quality and accuracy
• An insightful analyst, staying current on government policies, public sector trends, and community challenges to guide strategy.
• A collaborative problem-solver, skilled in coordinating cross-functional teams and adapting to changing priorities.
• Equity-minded, ensuring all proposals reflect inclusivity and align with the needs of diverse stakeholders.

You have…

• Extensive public sector proposal writing experience, including managing government RFPs from development to submission.
• A deep understanding of public procurement processes and the nuances of public sector compliance and equity frameworks.
• Demonstrated expertise in proposal lifecycle management, with the ability to streamline workflows and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple demands and lead collaborative teams.
• An eye for both details and big-picture strategy, ensuring proposals are polished and strategically aligned.
• Proven research skills, enabling you to quickly synthesize complex information into clear, actionable insights.

You can…

• Lead the development of compelling narratives, ensuring alignment with public sector priorities and community needs, and can develop through an equity lens.
• Oversee and manage large-scale proposal efforts, including strategy, timelines, and cross-departmental coordination.
• Ensure compliance with all public sector requirements, from formatting to submission guidelines.
• Write engaging and tailored responses that highlight our Agency’s unique value proposition while addressing client goals.
• Provide actionable feedback to continuously enhance proposal strategies and improve success rates.

Key Responsibilities

Proposal Writing and Development

• Lead the creation and writing of high-quality public sector proposals, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and alignment with client needs.
• Strategize and execute proposals that effectively communicate our Agency’s values, equity lens, and competitive edge.

Public Sector Opportunity Management

• Identify and evaluate new opportunities in the public sector, leveraging insights to shape competitive proposals.
• Conduct thorough research on potential clients, government initiatives, and industry trends to inform strategy.

Collaboration and Team Leadership

• Manage cross-functional teams to gather information and create cohesive, winning proposals.
• Collaborate with creative and technical teams to ensure the inclusion of compelling visuals and content.

Continuous Improvement and Knowledge Sharing

• Collect feedback from proposal outcomes, incorporating lessons learned to refine future approaches.
• Organize and maintain a repository of proposal templates, content, and strategies for efficiency.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in English, Communications, Business, Marketing, Technical Writing, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in public sector proposal writing and project management, including RFPs, RFIs, and RFQs.
• Demonstrated success in developing and leading public sector business development strategies.
• Knowledge of industry best practices and trends in proposal writing.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other proposal management tools.Experience working in communications and/or business development is a plus!
• Experience with equity-focused initiatives and familiarity with community engagement principles is a plus.
• Experience with and deep knowledge of San Francisco Bay area public sector organizations and initiatives is a plus.