Proposal Manager

Job Summary
We are excited to announce that AKS Engineering & Forestry (AKS) is seeking a full-time Proposal Manager to join our established marketing team located in our Keizer, Tualatin, or Bend, Oregon or Vancouver, Washington office. Our team works together to produce high-quality proposals, rosters, and statements of qualifications supporting our business development efforts. This fast-paced environment will have you working directly with project managers and technical staff in all our AKS offices, but primarily our teams in Keizer and Bend, Oregon.
Ideal Candidate Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s Degree in English, journalism, communications, marketing, business, or a related combination of education and experience.
• A minimum of 2 to 5 years of A/E/C experience developing customized Qualifications Based Selection (QBS) proposals for local, state, and federal agencies.
• Capacity to self-start and work independently with minimal supervision, but function as part of an integrated team.
• Ability to develop a fundamental understanding of all aspects of AKS’ business and be able to clearly communicate that understanding verbally and in writing.
• Effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proficiency in marketing research and tracking Requests for Proposals (RFPs).
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign and Illustrator) and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience working with client relationship management software (CRM), Unanet (Cosential) preferred.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• Proven ability to manage and prioritize multiple deadlines.
• Personal responsibility for completing quality work within budgets and timelines.
• Flexibility and willingness to adapt to fluctuating priorities and deadlines.
• Must be willing and able to provide industry-specific proposal samples upon request.

Job Functions & Responsibilities: Working with the rest of the marketing and business development team, you will focus on leading the development and production of high-quality proposals, rosters, resumes, and project descriptions in response to Request for Proposals (RFPs) and Request for Qualifications (RFQs). You will be responsible for managing all stages of the proposal development process, including preparing and developing content, graphic design, and layout; ensuring compliance with solicitation documents; editing; producing the final document; and any other required materials for delivery to the client within the required time frames. The position will require the ability to interact with all levels of staff, especially middle to senior management, as well as with the marketing team. Responsibilities will include:

• Strategizing, writing, and editing content for proposals, qualification packages, resumes, project descriptions, and award submittals.
• Coordinating go/no-go meetings with management teams.
• Ensuring proposal documents and statements of qualifications comply with RFQ and RFP requirements while highlighting points of differentiation.
• Drafting proposal outlines and development plans.
• Collaborating regularly with technical and marketing staff regarding details about proposal schedules, tracking action items, and ensuring everyone on the team meets the internal deadlines.
• Supporting the rest of the marketing team by proofreading and editing materials as needed or jumping in to help with the preparation of deliverables when deadlines approach.
• Adhering to the specifications outlined in AKS’ Writing Style Guide and company-wide branding standards.
• Supporting other marketing and business development projects on an as-needed basis.
• Traveling to other AKS offices to attend in-person meetings and provide support, as needed.
• Maintaining data in firm-wide CRM software (Unanet-Cosential), including project photography, project descriptions, resumes and employee qualifications information, and awards.
• Developing and maintaining effective positive working relationships with co-workers, clients, and other project team members.
• Producing hard copy and/or electronic final proposal and qualification statements in compliance with submission requirements outlined in RFPs and RFQs.
• Applying information from technical personnel and other sources, coordinating with subconsultants, and editing proposal text in a unified voice and persuasive style.
• Leading interview strategy and preparation meetings; preparing presentation and interview materials.

Company Overview
AKS Engineering & Forestry is a locally owned multidiscipline engineering consulting firm focused on developing infrastructure for private and public clients throughout the Pacific Northwest. Remaining true to our values and diligently maintaining our focus on quality enables our staff to thrive and grow. With six offices and over 28 years in business, AKS is a well-respected and trusted resource to a broad portfolio of clients, providing a unique and diverse combination of services.
- Civil Engineering - Land, Aerial, and Hydrographic Surveying
- Land Use Planning - Landscape Architecture
- Forestry/Forest Engineering - Arboriculture
- Natural Resources - Water Resources
- Construction Support Services - GIS
 
Culture
AKS is recognized annually as one of the Top Workplaces in Oregon and Southwest Washington. With a reputation built on personal responsibility, straight answers, practical solutions, and client and employee service, AKS has become a highly sought-after place to work. We care deeply about building long-term relationships at all levels of our organization and look for opportunities to share meals together every week, go on team-building adventures, make team site visits, and host events that bring our people and clients together.
 
We are organized around multidisciplinary teams that follow projects from conception through construction. We function as one team, one company, one community, and empower our employees to deliver their best work to evolve, grow, and succeed.
 
Benefits
AKS proudly offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, immediately vested 401(k) matching, and additional benefits and special perks, including:

• Opportunities for personal and professional development, mentorship, advancement, and training.
• Collaborative team environment, fun atmosphere, and all staff and team events.
• Security working for an established, reputable, stable, and successful company.
• Weekly lunches with dining area set up to encourage staff to spend unstructured time together.
• Flexible work schedule, vacations, and time off.

AKS Engineering and Forestry does not work with third-party recruiters or agencies. Candidates should be warned that third-party recruiters may misrepresent themselves as working on behalf of AKS. Candidates should only communicate directly with AKS employees.
 
Third-party recruiters and agencies should not contact AKS Engineering and Forestry employees directly. Any resumes sent from third-party recruiters or agencies to an AKS employee or submitted through the AKS website are considered unsolicited and the property of AKS. AKS will not pay a placement fee unless the recruiter or agency has a signed contract with AKS before submitting a candidate for consideration.