Proposal Project Manager

Philadelphia, PA

The Proposal Project Manager, a member of the Proposal Team, manages and develops complex, strategic proposals for key global client opportunities, including RFPs, direct client opportunities, and other specialized business development projects.

The position provides writing, editing and formatting of proposal responses and business development materials, determining the medium for delivery when appropriate. This team member also takes a leading role in cross-functional projects, process enhancements, and strategic initiatives for the larger Marketing group.

The position also manages the proposal process for prospects and current clients, including conducting internal strategy meetings, initiating follow-ups, responding to a variety of complex RFPs, tracking and assessing opportunities, and adhering to tight schedules.

Core Responsibilities

Writing and Content Improvement

• Manage standard proposal projects to include: analysis, research, writing, and editing of responses to RFP questionnaires and work closely with key lawyers to ensure compliance with all RFP questions, guidelines, and requirements.
• Manage custom proposal projects to include: concept development, writing, editing, and visualization of proposal documents and other exhibits to support the strengths of the firm’s legal services.
• Convert highly technical language and concepts into clear and compelling demonstrations of the firm’s legal service offerings in a variety of multimedia platforms.
• Assist firm office managers and practice area business development managers in global locations with enhancing existing marketing collateral, brochures, and practice group descriptions.
• Liaise with the communications department to ensure branding standards across proposal projects.

Analytics and Client Development

• Leverage data, including financial information, to identify win/loss trends and areas for improvement for proposals, as well as analytics for client development and engagement.
• Work with the business development team to determine key actions for clients targeted for growth and/or cross-practice opportunities.
• Conduct research and data analysis on key clients; present findings in appropriate reports/formats to inform business development strategy.

Proposal Process

• Manage the intake of new firm-wide RFPs/RFIs/RFQs and customized proposals, analyze all proposal documentation, and initiate response protocol.
• Communicate the proposal requirements with key firm partners, including the method for responding, deadlines, acceptance of policies/procedures, pricing, and other relevant information.
• Provide strategic input to key stakeholders on the probability of a successful pursuit and estimated ROI.
• Provide quality control of the entire proposal process including written responses, finance and project management requests, Information Technology/security issues, editing, and final submission.
• Manage the proposal submission database, opportunities database, and develop new information gathering systems/procedures to maximize productivity on deadline-oriented projects.
• Coordinate multiple proposals and projects concurrently.

Opportunity Tracking

• Manage the tracking and reporting of firm activities and opportunities utilizing an internal database solution.
• Actively project-manage the input of opportunity information by data stewards and proactively audit the data on a frequent basis.
• Work with practice group and office business development managers to improve the quality of opportunity data and identify useful trends.
• Monitor attorney follow-up on client/prospect opportunities.
• Oversee the “sales pipeline” across the firm and provide feedback/analysis to the marketing group.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, preferably in Business, English, Journalism, or a related field. JD a plus.
• At least three years of proposal and/or business writing experience or grant writing experience in a service-based industry.
• Excellent business/sales writing skills required.
• Knowledge of the law and/or legal industry preferred.
• Client intelligence research experience a plus.
• Data-driven marketing experience preferred.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills required. Strength in Adobe programs or similar publishing software a plus.
• Knowledge of a sales pipeline/process and/or sales experience a plus.
• Proposal content software and/or database experience a plus.
• Superior organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively in high-pressure situations and tight deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and demonstrate resourcefulness.
• Graphic design, video development or similar multimedia experience a plus.