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 JobsINTRODUCTION
At GHD, we don’t just believe in the power of commitment, we live and breathe it every day! That’s why we pledge to support and empower all of our people to make a positive impact when working hand in hand with our business to inspire change. We'll help you accelerate your career and empower you with the right technology and training as you bring ideas and projects to life. Together with your colleagues, clients and partners, you'll make an impact that is felt by all. See where your commitment could take you.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
GHD has an exciting opportunity for a new Proposal Manager to support pursuit and proposal activities and the development and implementation of pursuit plans and strategy.
This role can be based at any of our central offices with a hybrid schedule of 3 days in office.
Primary Functions
- Assist in the completion of persuasive proposals, marketing collateral and presentations.
- Understand technical terminology, project management structure, and discipline functions by Sectors.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, coordinate groups of content providers and deal with changing priorities.
- Review RFPs and participate/lead strategic win plan discussions with Project Managers and Technical Leaders.
- Coordinate and participate in proposal kick-off meetings.
- Develop and implement the proposal template and schedule.
- Develop various sections of the Strategic Win Plan (RFP requirements and schedule).
- Facilitate color review meetings, and driving content completion.
- Coordinate proposal formatting, writing, editing, and proof-reading efforts.
- Effective use of graphic and organizational software to create key graphics (e.g. PowerPoint).
Clients:
- Assist the Proposal Team with BD-related tasks to support the prepositioning phase with the Technical Leads.
People:
- Understand and adhere to GHD’s values, Codes of Conduct, and Policies.
- Develop a strong internal network and contribute to the identification of the best resources for the project team.
- Coordinate with the Marketing and Graphic Teams and provide graphics support in preparation of bid packages, statements of qualifications (SOQs), and requests for proposal/information/qualifications (RFQ/RFI/RFQ).
- Understand client requirements to facilitate effective proposal development.
- Coordinate effective kick-off meetings, group status calls, ensuring activities adhere to the Strategic Win Plan.
- Demonstrate superior teamwork abilities and a willingness to jump in and help others when needed.
- Produce the successful development of compliant and competitive proposals through effective collaboration across stakeholders (internal team, sub-consultants, etc.).
- Ensure quality content and appearance of final proposal deliverables.
- Accurate application of GHD Visual and Writing Style Guidelines.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree.
- Minimum three years of experience coordinating and writing technical proposals for an engineering, construction or professional services organization.
- Understanding of marketing techniques (layout, graphics, strategy-to-win).
- Proficient in Microsoft Suite.
- Proficient in Adobe Acrobat.
- Knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign) and Photoshop.
- Knowledge of Salesforce/PowerBI.
- Strong communication skills - both written and oral.
- Negotiation problem solving, planning and time management skills.
- Flexible and able to meet challenging deadlines.
- Excellent organizational skills required with ability to multi-task and prioritize.
- Even tempered in fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
- Consistent personal ethics: integrity, dependability, initiative, and quality.
Take on some of the world’s toughest challenges - with everyone at GHD backing you every step of the way. We'll give you control over your career, empower you to find innovative solutions and help you create a lasting impact. See where your commitment could take you with GHD.
EEO Statement US: As a multicultural organization, we encourage individual achievement and recognize the strength of a diverse workforce. GHD is an equal opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status or veteran status.
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INTRODUCTION
At GHD, we don’t just believe in the power of commitment, we live and breathe it every day! That’s why we pledge to support and empower all of our people to make a positive impact when working hand in hand with our business to inspire change. We'll help you accelerate your career and empower you with the right technology and training as you bring ideas and projects to life. Together with your colleagues, clients and partners, you'll make an impact that is felt by all. See where your commitment could take you.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
GHD has an exciting opportunity for a new Proposal Manager to support pursuit and proposal activities and the development and implementation of pursuit plans and strategy.
This role can be based at any of our central offices with a hybrid schedule of 3 days in office.
Primary Functions
- Assist in the completion of persuasive proposals, marketing collateral and presentations.
- Understand technical terminology, project management structure, and discipline functions by Sectors.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, coordinate groups of content providers and deal with changing priorities.
- Review RFPs and participate/lead strategic win plan discussions with Project Managers and Technical Leaders.
- Coordinate and participate in proposal kick-off meetings.
- Develop and implement the proposal template and schedule.
- Develop various sections of the Strategic Win Plan (RFP requirements and schedule).
- Facilitate color review meetings, and driving content completion.
- Coordinate proposal formatting, writing, editing, and proof-reading efforts.
- Effective use of graphic and organizational software to create key graphics (e.g. PowerPoint).
Clients:
- Assist the Proposal Team with BD-related tasks to support the prepositioning phase with the Technical Leads.
People:
- Understand and adhere to GHD’s values, Codes of Conduct, and Policies.
- Develop a strong internal network and contribute to the identification of the best resources for the project team.
- Coordinate with the Marketing and Graphic Teams and provide graphics support in preparation of bid packages, statements of qualifications (SOQs), and requests for proposal/information/qualifications (RFQ/RFI/RFQ).
- Understand client requirements to facilitate effective proposal development.
- Coordinate effective kick-off meetings, group status calls, ensuring activities adhere to the Strategic Win Plan.
- Demonstrate superior teamwork abilities and a willingness to jump in and help others when needed.
- Produce the successful development of compliant and competitive proposals through effective collaboration across stakeholders (internal team, sub-consultants, etc.).
- Ensure quality content and appearance of final proposal deliverables.
- Accurate application of GHD Visual and Writing Style Guidelines.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree.
- Minimum three years of experience coordinating and writing technical proposals for an engineering, construction or professional services organization.
- Understanding of marketing techniques (layout, graphics, strategy-to-win).
- Proficient in Microsoft Suite.
- Proficient in Adobe Acrobat.
- Knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign) and Photoshop.
- Knowledge of Salesforce/PowerBI.
- Strong communication skills - both written and oral.
- Negotiation problem solving, planning and time management skills.
- Flexible and able to meet challenging deadlines.
- Excellent organizational skills required with ability to multi-task and prioritize.
- Even tempered in fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
- Consistent personal ethics: integrity, dependability, initiative, and quality.
Take on some of the world’s toughest challenges - with everyone at GHD backing you every step of the way. We'll give you control over your career, empower you to find innovative solutions and help you create a lasting impact. See where your commitment could take you with GHD.
EEO Statement US: As a multicultural organization, we encourage individual achievement and recognize the strength of a diverse workforce. GHD is an equal opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status or veteran status.
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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.