OPT Proposal Manager Jobs
Proposal Manager jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with backgrounds in business, communications, or technical writing. Most roles qualify as specialty occupations under OPT work authorization, and employers in government contracting, consulting, and engineering frequently sponsor H-1B visas for this position.
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Get Access To All JobsLine of Business: Service & Support
Pay Range: $84,900.00 – $113,193.33
About us
Heidelberg Materials is one of the world's largest suppliers of building materials. Heidelberg Materials North America operates over 450 locations across the U.S. and Canada with approximately 9,000 employees.
What You'll Be Doing
- Own the end-to-end pre-qualification process across EPC and GC supplier portals: legal entity enrollment, document submission, renewals, and database maintenance
- Identify and implement process improvements and automation across pre-qualification and proposal workflows
- Update and maintain a central database of Major Projects pursuits across NAM; provide pipeline visibility to internal stakeholders
- Review incoming RFQs, RFPs, and bid documents to identify requirements, deadlines, evaluation criteria, and compliance items
- Support project team in proposal preparation: writing, editing, and organizing content such as project approaches, safety narratives, and company qualifications
- Maintain a library of reusable proposal content: case studies, past project references, etc.
- Collaborate with project teams to conduct post-project retrospective to assess project execution and deliverables against proposal
- Conduct win/loss analysis and share learnings from won and lost proposals with major project team
What Are We Looking For
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Construction Management, or related field; equivalent experience will also be considered
- 4+ years in supplier operations, contracts administration, bid coordination, or pre-qualification management, preferably in construction, EPC, or materials supply
- Experience with major EPC or general contractor supplier portals preferred
- Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Adobe Acrobat, and collaboration tools (Microsoft Teams, SharePoint)
- Strong writing and document production skills; able to structure complex documents into compliant, professional submissions
- Process discipline and attention to detail; reliable in managing recurring deadlines and renewals
Work Environment
This role is office-based.
What We Offer
- Competitive base salary
- 401(k) retirement savings plan with an automatic company contribution as well as matching contributions
-
Highly competitive benefits programs, including:
-
Medical, Dental, and Vision along with Prescription Drug Benefits
- Health Saving Savings Account (HSA), Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- AD&D, Short- and Long-Term Disability Coverage as well as Basic Life Insurance
- Paid Bonding Leave, 15 days of Paid Vacation, 40 hours of Paid Sick Leave and 10 Paid Holidays
Equal Opportunity Employer - Minority / Female / Veteran / Disabled
Line of Business: Service & Support
Pay Range: $84,900.00 – $113,193.33
About us
Heidelberg Materials is one of the world's largest suppliers of building materials. Heidelberg Materials North America operates over 450 locations across the U.S. and Canada with approximately 9,000 employees.
What You'll Be Doing
- Own the end-to-end pre-qualification process across EPC and GC supplier portals: legal entity enrollment, document submission, renewals, and database maintenance
- Identify and implement process improvements and automation across pre-qualification and proposal workflows
- Update and maintain a central database of Major Projects pursuits across NAM; provide pipeline visibility to internal stakeholders
- Review incoming RFQs, RFPs, and bid documents to identify requirements, deadlines, evaluation criteria, and compliance items
- Support project team in proposal preparation: writing, editing, and organizing content such as project approaches, safety narratives, and company qualifications
- Maintain a library of reusable proposal content: case studies, past project references, etc.
- Collaborate with project teams to conduct post-project retrospective to assess project execution and deliverables against proposal
- Conduct win/loss analysis and share learnings from won and lost proposals with major project team
What Are We Looking For
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Construction Management, or related field; equivalent experience will also be considered
- 4+ years in supplier operations, contracts administration, bid coordination, or pre-qualification management, preferably in construction, EPC, or materials supply
- Experience with major EPC or general contractor supplier portals preferred
- Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Adobe Acrobat, and collaboration tools (Microsoft Teams, SharePoint)
- Strong writing and document production skills; able to structure complex documents into compliant, professional submissions
- Process discipline and attention to detail; reliable in managing recurring deadlines and renewals
Work Environment
This role is office-based.
What We Offer
- Competitive base salary
- 401(k) retirement savings plan with an automatic company contribution as well as matching contributions
-
Highly competitive benefits programs, including:
-
Medical, Dental, and Vision along with Prescription Drug Benefits
- Health Saving Savings Account (HSA), Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- AD&D, Short- and Long-Term Disability Coverage as well as Basic Life Insurance
- Paid Bonding Leave, 15 days of Paid Vacation, 40 hours of Paid Sick Leave and 10 Paid Holidays
Equal Opportunity Employer - Minority / Female / Veteran / Disabled
See all 82+ OPT Proposal Manager Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Proposal Manager
Target government contracting firms first
Defense and federal contractors like Booz Allen, SAIC, and Leidos hire Proposal Managers regularly and have established H-1B sponsorship pipelines. These firms plan hiring well in advance, giving OPT students time to secure sponsorship before their authorization expires.
Lead with your degree field explicitly
Proposal Manager roles require a bachelor's degree in a specific field, typically business, communications, or engineering. Make your degree field prominent in your resume header so hiring managers can immediately confirm you meet the specialty occupation requirement for OPT eligibility.
Quantify proposal win rates on your resume
Employers evaluate Proposal Managers on measurable outcomes. Include win rates, number of proposals managed, and contract values where possible. Concrete metrics signal readiness for the role and distinguish your application from candidates with only general writing experience.
Get Shipley or APMP certified before you apply
The Shipley Method and APMP Foundation certification are industry standards in proposal management. Completing either before job searching signals professional commitment and directly addresses employer concerns about hiring someone on a time-limited work authorization like OPT.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship after an offer, not before
Raising visa sponsorship during an initial interview shifts focus away from your qualifications. Wait until an employer expresses strong interest or extends an offer, then confirm their sponsorship policy directly. Government contractors and large consulting firms sponsor most frequently.
Highlight cross-functional coordination experience
Proposal Managers work with legal, finance, technical, and executive teams simultaneously. Demonstrating that you have managed multiple stakeholders under tight deadlines reassures employers that you can contribute immediately, which reduces perceived risk in sponsoring someone on OPT.
Proposal Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Proposal Manager role qualify as a specialty occupation for OPT?
Yes, in most cases. Proposal Manager positions typically require a bachelor's degree in business, communications, English, or a technical field, which satisfies the specialty occupation requirement for OPT work authorization. Roles at government contractors and consulting firms almost always meet the standard. Positions at smaller companies with looser degree requirements may need closer review before you apply.
Which industries hire Proposal Managers and sponsor H-1B visas most often?
Government contracting is the strongest industry for both hiring and H-1B sponsorship. Firms supporting federal agencies in defense, IT, and infrastructure routinely sponsor Proposal Managers because demand for the role is high and qualified candidates are limited. Engineering firms, management consulting companies, and healthcare services contractors also sponsor regularly. You can filter by industry on Migrate Mate to find OPT-friendly employers in these sectors.
Can I work as a Proposal Manager on STEM OPT extension?
Only if your degree falls under a STEM-designated field. Most Proposal Manager roles are supported by degrees in business or communications, which are not STEM-designated. If your degree is in a STEM field such as computer science, engineering, or information systems, and your employer qualifies, you may be eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before assuming eligibility.
How far in advance should I start my job search as a Proposal Manager on OPT?
Start at least three to four months before your OPT start date. Proposal Manager hiring cycles at government contractors can move slowly due to internal clearance checks and team budget approvals. Beginning early gives you time to complete the application process, negotiate an offer, and confirm H-1B sponsorship intent before your work authorization window becomes a concern for the employer.
What experience can I include on my resume if I have no direct proposal management experience?
Focus on transferable experience: grant writing, research reports, client-facing presentations, project coordination, or any work involving structured writing under deadlines. Internship experience in communications, business development, or consulting is directly relevant. Academic capstone projects that involved formal documentation or competitive proposals also count. Employers hiring junior Proposal Managers understand that candidates are developing the role, so demonstrating writing rigor and process discipline matters more than the specific job title.