Senior Proposal Manager Jobs
Senior Proposal Manager jobs are open across defense, government contracting, construction, healthcare, and professional services, from mid-level to director, with specializations in federal RFP response, technical writing leadership, and capture management. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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Job ID: 2615118-OTHLOC-100000685975216
Location: Chantilly, VA, US
Date Posted: 2026-07-30
Category: Business Development
Subcategory: Proposal
Schedule: Full-Time
Shift: Day Job
Travel: Yes - 10% of the time
Minimum Clearance Required: None
Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: Top Secret
Potential for Remote Work: ORA_HYBRID
Description
SAIC is seeking a Senior Proposal Manager for our Proposal Development Center in Reston, VA. The ideal candidate will have experience working with Subject Matter Experts to manage the development of written proposals and orals presentation slides. This position is hybrid and candidates must be located in Reston VA or surrounding areas.
The Senior Proposal Manager will work closely with business development and operational personnel to develop and deliver winning, high-quality Federal Government proposals. The successful candidate will be responsible for the following:
Proposal Lifecycle Management & Planning
Manage all aspects of proposal lifecycle activities, including pre-proposal planning, kickoff meetings, schedule development and enforcement, compliance, action/issue tracking, writing instructions, and team guidance
Develop and maintain proposal artifacts such as kickoff materials, compliance matrix, proposal structure, schedules, daily stand-up agendas, team contact lists, and review briefings
Provide a structured methodology and process for both the creative and management aspects of complex responses for both written and oral Federal Government proposals
Compliance & Quality Assurance
Ensure compliance across the proposal by tracking solicitation updates, revising critical artifacts (e.g., schedules, outlines, matrices, slides), and performing regular compliance checks
Review and analyze proposal sections for compliance with solicitation requirements and for clear, consistent messaging of win strategies
Apply industry best practices with attention to compliance
Participate in color team reviews and recovery, including facilitating post-review updates and implementing approved content changes
Strategy Development & Messaging
Facilitate solution and collaborative strategy development sessions with capture and technical teams, identifying win themes, customer hot buttons, and innovative solution features/benefits to align client requirements across both written and orals proposals
Capture and communicate proposed solutions during brainstorming sessions, applying critical thinking to refine, document, and align inputs with evaluator objectives
Collaborate with capture and solution teams to develop strategic messaging, impactful graphics, and cohesive proposals that emphasize "Why SAIC" messaging
Leverage advanced proposal tools and frameworks to enhance narrative impact and align content with SAIC's methodologies and win strategies
Writing, Content Development, and Feedback
Provide constructive feedback and guidance to writers to refine content for accuracy, compliance, and narrative impact
Develop, refine, and/or utilize templates, tools, and standardized processes to streamline proposal development in alignment with industry and SAIC best practices
Team Leadership, Communication & Coordination
Facilitate team communication through daily stand-ups, regular updates, progress tracking, and the management of action items
Clarify and enforce proposal roles and responsibilities, ensuring alignment and accountability across capture managers, technical and subject matter experts, writers, production staff, and leadership
Collaborate with executive leadership, business development, and operations to allocate adequate resources and support high-quality, timely proposal submissions
Identify risks, develop mitigation plans, and remove barriers for team members by escalating needs and addressing issues for timely resolution
Navigate dynamic, high-tempo proposal environments with competing priorities by applying analytical expertise and data-driven decision-making
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree and 18 years of experience. Masters and 16 years. 4 additional years of experience can be used in lieu of a degree
- Candidates must be U.S. citizen with ability to obtain a security clearance
- 10 to 15 years of demonstrated experience managing winning competitive Federal Government proposals in a defined proposal role
- Experience with AAS/FEDSIM acquisition, including orals slide development
- Knowledge of the proposal development life cycle and understanding of Shipley or other proposal development processes
- Experience managing large, complex, and highly technical proposals with many stakeholders, and multiple interrelated plans dealing with technical, management, staffing, pricing, quality, and past performance
- Demonstrated ability to work efficiently and successfully under conditions of multiple deadlines and changing priorities
- Ability to effectively manage on site/in-person and off site/largely remote proposals
- Ability to collaborate and work as a leader
- Ability to successfully execute multiple tasks simultaneously
- Effective written, visual, and verbal communication skills to interact with all levels of management and content developers
- Willing to travel; willing to work surge hours
- Demonstrated knowledge of federal procurement environments, including specialized acquisition pathways such as AAS/FEDSIM, OTAs, etc.
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Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Energy
- Manufacturing
- Aerospace & Defense
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in senior proposal manager jobs.
- 5 or more years of proposal development and management experience in a relevant industry
- Demonstrated experience responding to federal or commercial RFPs, RFIs, and RFQs
- Proficiency with proposal management tools such as Loopio, Qvidian, or RFPIO
- Strong project management skills with ability to manage multiple concurrent deadlines
- APMP Foundation or Professional certification preferred by many government contractors
- Bachelor's degree in English, communications, business, or a related technical field
Tips for Your Senior Proposal Manager Job Search
Quantify your win rates and volume
Proposal managers who list the number of proposals managed per year and the percentage of bids that moved to contract stand out immediately. Recruiters in government contracting especially look for this data, so pull it from your records before you apply.
Tailor your resume to the contract vehicle
Federal roles often require familiarity with specific vehicles like GSA schedules or IDIQ contracts. If you have that background, name the contract types explicitly on your resume rather than describing duties generically. Vague language costs you interviews.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists senior proposal manager openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Filter openings by compliance requirement
Some senior proposal manager roles require a clearance or experience with FAR and DFARS compliance. Search for those terms in listings before applying so you're not surprised by hard requirements during a screening call.
Prepare a proposal sample or excerpt
Hiring managers in proposal management routinely ask for writing samples or a redacted executive summary. Have a sanitized excerpt ready before your first interview, specifically a section you personally wrote or substantially revised.
Negotiate on timeline flexibility, not just pay
Proposal work is deadline-driven, so ask directly about surge periods, expected after-hours volume, and whether the team uses color review cycles. Understanding the rhythm helps you evaluate offers beyond compensation and prevents early burnout.
Senior Proposal Manager Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most senior proposal managers?
The companies hiring the most senior proposal managers right now include SmithGroup, Northrop Grumman, and Sentar, with the largest share of openings in Virginia, Florida, and California, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Defense contractors and large professional services firms consistently represent the highest volume of postings.
How many senior proposal manager jobs are remote?
About 81% of senior proposal manager openings are fully remote or hybrid as of August 2026, making it one of the more flexible roles in the business development field. Roles focused on commercial proposals and SaaS vendor responses tend to be the most remote-friendly, while positions requiring facility access or classified work are nearly always on-site.
How do you become a senior proposal manager?
Most senior proposal managers start as proposal writers or coordinators, build experience managing color team reviews and deadline-driven bid cycles, then move into full ownership of complex proposals. Earning an APMP certification signals professional commitment and is recognized across federal and commercial sectors. Demonstrating measurable win rates and cross-functional leadership accelerates the path to senior-level roles.
Can you get hired as a senior proposal manager with limited experience?
Breaking into a senior proposal manager role with limited direct experience is possible if you have a strong foundation in a related area such as technical writing, project management, or business development. Focusing on smaller firms or subcontractors gives you faster exposure to full proposal ownership. Building a portfolio of writing samples and volunteering to lead internal bid efforts on a current team helps bridge the experience gap.
What does the senior proposal manager interview process look like?
The interview process for a senior proposal manager role typically starts with a recruiter screen focused on your proposal volume and industries covered, followed by a hiring manager interview that digs into your process for managing color reviews and deadline pressure. Many employers include a writing or editing exercise using a real or mock RFP section. Final rounds often involve meeting cross-functional stakeholders from capture, contracts, or technical teams.
Where can I find and apply to senior proposal manager jobs?
You can find and apply to senior proposal manager jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Find roles that match your background and apply directly to each listing from the page.
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