Pursuit Specialist

Description

Pursuit Specialist (2)

Role Description:  The Pursuit Specialist plays a critical role in developing and implementing winning strategies for complex proposals in the firm. This role involves leading strategic planning sessions, developing value propositions, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to create compelling and competitive proposals that meet client requirements and align with company goals. From pursuit initiation through capture planning, proposal production, and interview preparation, the Pursuit Specialist effectively partners with Principals, Proposal Managers, Project Managers, and other technical pursuit team members to achieve growth outcomes.  

Location: Dallas, Fort Worth, TX

Employment Type: 40 FT Hours

Compensation Type: Salary

Reports To:  Business Development Enablement Manager 

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, or related field

Duties: 

 Strategic Planning and Development:

• Through capture plan facilitation, lead the development of proposal strategies and win themes to position the company favorably against competitors.
• Conduct thorough analyses of RFPs, RFQs, and other solicitation documents to identify key requirements and evaluation criteria. 
• Facilitate strategy sessions with technical experts, principals, and practice leaders to define proposal approaches.

 Proposal Management: 

• Manage the entire proposal lifecycle, from initial assessment to final submission.
• Develop and manage proposal schedules, outlines, and compliance matrices. 
• Coordinate and lead proposal kickoff meetings, strategy sessions, and review meetings.

 Content Development and Review: 

• Develop and refine proposal content, including executive summaries, technical approaches, and value propositions.
• Review and edit proposal sections to ensure consistency, clarity, and compliance with client requirements.
• Create compelling visuals that enhance the proposal narrative.

 Client and Market Analysis:

•  Conduct research on clients, competitors, and market trends to inform proposal strategies and content.
•  Develop insights into client needs, preferences, and decision-making processes.
•  Incorporate market intelligence and client feedback into proposal strategies and approaches. 

Collaboration and Team Leadership: 

• Collaborate with Business Development Enablement Manager on strategy development, use of various tools and platforms embedded into the BD ecosystem, identify and develop best practices. 
• Coordinate with external partners and subcontractors to integrate their contributions into the proposal.

Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement: 

• Implement quality control processes to ensure the accuracy, completeness, and professionalism of proposals.
• Conduct debriefs and post-mortem analyses to identify lessons learned and areas for improvement. 
• Maintain and update proposal templates, tools, and best practices to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposal process.  

Key Responsibilities:

• Understands, follows, and enforces Huitt-Zollars' business process.
• Productively collaborates with others and leads or encourages teams to achieve success and camaraderie amongst each other.
• Understands and follows HZ QMS and Quality initiatives. Ensures quality control measures are being adhered to on projects and daily operations.  
• Understands duties and responsibilities, possesses necessary job knowledge and technical skills, maintains job knowledge current.
• Assist with appropriate administrative and project support tasks supporting the needs of the project team and office. 
• Complete assignments on-time, within budget, and with highest level of quality. 
• Routinely proposes and produces more effective ways to accomplish assignments. 

  Role Competencies:

• Sharing Information: Conveying up-to date information in the most efficient and useful manner to the appropriate stakeholders.
• Critical Thinking: Analyzing problems and solutions by evaluating the quality of the information available from different sources and avoiding decision-making bias.
• Executes Strategy: Ensuring that people remain focused on accomplishing strategic goals by thoughtfully planning tasks and overcoming obstacles.
• Fosters a Learning Culture: Creating an inspiring and engaging atmosphere where people feel motivated to grow, experiment, and learn new skills.
• Identifies Talent: Actively maintaining awareness of internal and external talent, current abilities, and hiring needs. 

Qualifications: 

•  Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, or related field.
•  7+ years of experience in proposal management, preferably in the AEC industry. 
•  Proven track record of managing and winning complex proposals.
•  Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
•  Strong organizational and management skills.
•  Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) and Microsoft Office Suite (Word,  Excel, PowerPoint).
•  Proficiency in Open Asset or another Digital Asset Management Platform is a plus.
•  Experience with proposal management software (e.g., Adobe Acrobat, Bluebeam, CRM systems) is a plus. 

This position is also required to adhere to Huitt-Zollars’ Core Value Competencies

About Huitt-Zollars:

• Huitt-Zollars, Inc. is a privately held, 100% employee-owned leading Architectural and Engineering (A/E) firm since being established in 1975. Since then, our firm has been providing innovative planning, engineering, architectural and interior design, construction and program management, and design-build services to our clients. 
• Located in more than 20 locations throughout 10 different US states, Huitt-Zollars holds a vision to improve the environment in which we live, work, and play. Employees/co-owners can expect to collaborate with their team, listen to client and community needs, and deliver world-class professional services. Learn more about a career with #teamHZ by viewing our LinkedIN Life page.

Benefits & Perks:

• Health insurance (BCBS TX BlueChoice PPO)
• Dental insurance (BCBS TX BlueChoice PPO)
• Vision insurance (BCBS TX BlueChoice PPO)
• MDLive Telehealth
• Employer-Paid Short- & Long-Term disability
• 8 Paid Holidays
• Employee Morale/Teambuilding events and activities
• Paid Vacation/Annual Leave 
• Paid Sick Leave
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Commuter Benefits
• Professional Societies and Registrations Fee Reimbursements
• Term Life / AD&D insurance
• Cancer and Specified Disease insurance
• Two retirement plans: 401(k) and an ESOP

This position will office out of our Dallas, TX location in a 'Class A' office space including a state-of-the-art gym (no cost), covered parking, food court, and more.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times
• May be required drive to visit client or project sites for short periods of time
• The employee must be able to concentrate on details, work under deadline pressures, apply sound logic and judgment, and prioritize tasks and responsibilities

Applicants must be legally authorized to work for Huitt-Zollars in the U.S. without employer sponsorship. Currently, Huitt-Zollars does not sponsor H1-B or any other work visa petitions.

Huitt-Zollars does not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters without a previously signed third-party agreement. Any unsolicited third-party resumes forwarded by recruiters to any Huitt-Zollars hiring manager or employee will be considered public information, may be treated as a direct application from the person identified in the resume, and will not be eligible for placement fee payment to the agency submitting the unsolicited resume. Huitt-Zollars will not pay a fee to a third-party recruiter or agency that has not coordinated their recruiting activity with the appropriate member of the Human Resources team and without an active, fully executed service agreement. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Huitt-Zollars is a federal contractor and subcontractor and abides by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-300.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-741.5(a), which prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on protected veteran status or disability and require affirmative action to employ and advance qualified protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.