OPT Proposal Specialist Jobs
Proposal Specialist roles involve writing, coordinating, and managing responses to RFPs, RFQs, and grant opportunities, skills that translate well across government contractors, consulting firms, and nonprofits. Many employers in these sectors are experienced with OPT work authorization and the 60-day transition window between positions.
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We’re building a world of health around every individual — shaping a more connected, convenient and compassionate health experience. At CVS Health®, you’ll be surrounded by passionate colleagues who care deeply, innovate with purpose, hold ourselves accountable and prioritize safety and quality in everything we do. Join us and be part of something bigger – helping to simplify health care one person, one family and one community at a time.
Position Summary
A successful candidate will play a critical role in the quality of our RFP responses and the efficiency of the whole team. The quality analyst continuously strives to increase their knowledge of Aetna Medicaid, products offered, and industry best practices to produce thoughtful, strategic, quality edits at every milestone of the proposal process.
The Quality Analyst supports the quality and consistency of Aetna Medicaid proposal responses through detailed proofreading, editing, and structured review processes. This role focuses on foundational quality practices, ensuring content aligns with style, formatting, and compliance expectations while developing and honing their skills.
Required Qualifications
- Conduct structured quality checks to support compliance, consistency, and responsiveness to RFP requirements, following established guidelines and processes.
- 1-2 years of Medicaid proposal experience.
- 1-2 plus years of proposal writing experience.
- Ensure all content aligns with Aetna style, bid guides, templates, and brand voice, maintaining consistency across proposal materials.
- Collaborate with proposal writers and quality team members to provide clear, constructive edits and feedback throughout the review process.
- Utilize editing and collaboration tools (e.g., SharePoint, Microsoft Word, PerfectIt, and AI-enabled tools) to enhance efficiency and consistency.
- Support and drive the development of internal processes and procedures, including scorecards, quality business reports, style guides, and performance measures.
- Follow defined proposal processes, timelines, and quality standards to ensure timely and accurate completion of assigned work.
- Build foundational knowledge of Aetna Medicaid products, proposal structure, and industry best practices to support quality development.
- Actively participate in team meetings, training, and coaching to continuously strengthen editing, compliance, and quality review skills that drive effectiveness and efficiency.
- Ability to work extended hours including nights and weekends during proposal review stages.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office products (SharePoint, Word, Excel, Teams, PowerPoint) and AI technology/tools (Asana, Domo, proposal management software).
- Ability to travel – up to 15-30%.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with understanding of Associated Press and internal style guides.
Preferred Qualifications
- Knowledge of APMP and Shipley best practices; Six Sigma certification and APMP Bid/Proposal Foundation Certification are recommended.
Education
Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
Five plus years of experience in a quality reviewer/editor capacity.
Pay Range
The typical pay range for this role is:
$75,400.00 - $182,549.00
This pay range represents the base hourly rate or base annual full-time salary for all positions in the job grade within which this position falls. The actual base salary offer will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education, geography and other relevant factors. This position is eligible for a CVS Health bonus, commission or short-term incentive program in addition to the base pay range listed above. This position also includes an award target in the company’s equity award program.
Our people fuel our future. Our teams reflect the customers, patients, members and communities we serve and we are committed to fostering a workplace where every colleague feels valued and that they belong.
Great benefits for great people
We take pride in offering a comprehensive and competitive mix of pay and benefits that reflects our commitment to our colleagues and their families.
This full‑time position is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the physical, emotional, and financial well‑being of colleagues and their families. The benefits for this position include medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, retirement savings options, wellness programs, and other resources, based on eligibility.
Additional details about available benefits are provided during the application process and on Benefits Moments.
We anticipate the application window for this opening will close on: 11/21/2026
Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state and local laws.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Proposal Specialist
Target government contractors and consulting firms
Federal contractors and management consulting firms regularly hire Proposal Specialists and are experienced with OPT work authorization. These employers often have dedicated HR processes for international hires, making the sponsorship conversation significantly less complicated than with smaller companies.
Emphasize your writing and compliance skills together
Proposal work requires precision under tight deadlines, a combination that signals to employers you can handle compliance-heavy environments. Highlighting both technical writing ability and attention to regulatory requirements makes you a stronger candidate who can also navigate OPT paperwork independently.
Build a portfolio of RFP responses before applying
Even if your experience is academic or volunteer-based, a portfolio showing structured proposal writing demonstrates real competency. Employers evaluating OPT candidates often need confidence in immediate contribution, and sample work removes doubt about your readiness to produce on day one.
Apply before your OPT start date, not after
Hiring timelines for Proposal Specialist roles can run four to eight weeks between application and first day. Starting your search two to three months before your OPT authorization begins gives you enough runway to clear the process without burning into your authorized work period.
Clarify your STEM OPT eligibility if your degree qualifies
Degrees in technical fields like engineering, information systems, or data analytics may qualify you for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Employers in proposal management find this especially valuable, as it reduces the urgency around H-1B visa sponsorship timelines and extends your contribution window considerably.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship policy during the second interview round
Raising sponsorship too early can stall an application, but waiting until an offer creates pressure. The second interview is a natural checkpoint to confirm an employer sponsors H-1B visas, giving both sides time to align before commitment without derailing early-stage evaluation.
Proposal Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Proposal Specialist on OPT?
Yes. Proposal Specialist roles qualify as OPT-eligible employment as long as the position is directly related to your field of study. Degrees in communications, English, business, public administration, or technical fields typically satisfy this requirement. You should confirm the connection between your degree and the job description with your DSO before accepting an offer.
Do Proposal Specialist employers commonly sponsor H-1B visas?
Government contractors, large consulting firms, and defense-sector employers are among the most experienced sponsors for Proposal Specialists, since they routinely hire internationally and understand the H-1B process. Smaller agencies and nonprofits are less consistent. Searching Migrate Mate filters for sponsorship-willing employers in this field so you avoid applying to companies unlikely to sponsor.
Does a Proposal Specialist role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your underlying degree, not the job title. If your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as information systems, applied mathematics, or a technical discipline, and your Proposal Specialist role involves applying that training, you may qualify for the 24-month extension. Confirm your degree's STEM designation with your DSO and verify that the job duties align.
What should I include in my OPT disclosure to a Proposal Specialist employer?
Be direct and specific. Tell the employer your OPT authorization period, your STEM extension eligibility if applicable, and your H-1B timeline expectations. Proposal-heavy environments value clarity and organized communication, so presenting your work authorization status in a clean, factual way often lands well with hiring managers in this field.
How do I find Proposal Specialist jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Most general job boards do not filter by sponsorship willingness, which wastes significant time when you are on a limited OPT window. Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and surfaces Proposal Specialist roles at employers who have sponsored international candidates before, so you can focus your applications where they have a realistic chance of success.