Proposal Manager

XLA is currently seeking a Proposal Manager.

Role Summary

The Proposal Manager leads the end-to-end proposal lifecycle, ensuring compliant, compelling, and on-time submissions to federal agencies. This role requires mastery of Shipley level 5 skills, as well as strong coordination across proposal, SMEs, pricing, and operations.

Responsibilities

• Manage full proposal lifecycle: outline, compliance matrix, schedule, color team reviews (Pink, Red, Gold), final production.
• Interpret solicitation requirements (FAR/DFARS, Section L/M, evaluation factors) and translate into clear instructions for contributors.
• Lead kickoff meetings and establish proposal calendars, milestones, and deliverables.
• Draft and edit technical, management, and past performance narratives in collaboration with SMEs.
• Coordinate with pricers to integrate cost/price volumes with technical/management approaches.
• Maintain proposal knowledge base (templates, boilerplate, graphics, past performance library).
• Oversee formatting, graphics, production, and electronic submissions in SAM, eBuy, PIEE, etc.
• Mentor and manage proposal coordinators, writers, and surge consultants.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience managing federal proposals (DoD, Civilian, Health, State/Local).
• Deep familiarity with FAR Part 15 and federal acquisition lifecycle.
• Strong writing and editing skills; able to turn SME input into polished, compliant text.
• Experience running multiple concurrent bids under tight deadlines.
• Proficiency with proposal tools (SharePoint, GovWin, HigherGov, CaptureExec, Adobe, MS Office Suite).
• APMP certification preferred (Foundation or higher).