Senior Proposal Specialist

The Senior Proposal Specialist actively manages assigned sections or volumes of proposal efforts, coordinating inputs from multiple stakeholders while ensuring compliance with solicitation requirements, consistency with MELE's brand, and alignment with established win strategies. This role requires strong initiative, attention to detail, and an ability to execute assignments with limited supervision, while ensuring all major actions and deliverables are reviewed and approved by the Proposal Manager or Capture Manager.

The successful candidate will demonstrate leadership, organization, and writing skills to support the full proposal lifecycle, from pre-RFP planning through final submission and post-submission follow-up, while contributing to continuous process improvement across the department.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Serve as proposal specialist or volume lead for assigned opportunities, developing compliant and persuasive content with oversight and approval from the Proposal Manager and Capture Manager.
• Coordinate with capture, contracts, operations, and technical teams to ensure clarity of requirements and deliverables.
• Draft and edit proposal sections (technical, management, and past performance) that are responsive, compliant, and compelling.
• Manage proposal schedules, compliance matrices, outlines, and version control throughout the proposal lifecycle, escalating issues or risks for guidance as needed.
• Conduct quality checks to ensure all proposal content aligns with solicitation requirements and MELE standards prior to management review.
• Support and help facilitate internal color team reviews (Pink, Red, Gold, and White Glove), incorporating reviewer feedback into final deliverables.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to Proposal Coordinators and junior staff to strengthen proposal development capabilities across the team.
• Collaborate with subcontractor proposal teams to coordinate content, resolve questions, and ensure timely and compliant inputs.
• Support capture and business development efforts by assisting with pipeline tracking, research, and the preparation of capability statements or qualification packages.
• Maintain and enhance MELE's proposal library, templates, and standard operating procedures to support ongoing efficiency and quality improvement.
• Prepare and format final proposal submissions in accordance with solicitation instructions, ensuring final versions are reviewed and approved by the Proposal Manager.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree required or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of five (5) to seven (7) years of experience in proposal coordination, writing, or management for federal government solicitations.
• Demonstrated experience supporting the full proposal lifecycle from RFI/RFP review through submission.
• Proven ability to take initiative and manage multiple concurrent proposals under tight deadlines while adhering to review and approval processes.
• Strong understanding of federal acquisition processes (FAR, DFARS, etc.) and government contracting practices.
• Exceptional written communication and editing skills with attention to tone, consistency, and compliance.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, and collaborative proposal tools (e.g., SharePoint, Teams).
• Excellent organization and time management skills with the ability to manage priorities proactively and independently.
• Skilled in collaborating with SMEs, integrating technical input, and producing compliant and persuasive content under management oversight.
• Ability to identify and recommend process improvements to enhance proposal efficiency and compliance.
• Demonstrated professionalism and quality focus in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

LOCATION: This position is full-time and hybrid in Rockville, MD.

SALARY: Salaries are determined based on several factors including external market data, internal equity, and the candidate's related knowledge, skills, and abilities for the position. The range for this position is 70k-85k.

BENEFITS

• Employer-paid employee Medical, Dental and Vision Care.
• Low-Cost Family Health Care offered.
• Federal Holidays and three (3) weeks' vacation
• 401(k) with Employer Match
• Cross-training opportunities

About MELE

With over 300 employees and offices in Rockville, MD, Washington, DC, and Albuquerque, NM, MELE is a veteran and minority-owned government contractor empowering its customers with innovative solutions for more than three decades. MELE has team members located across the U.S. and has served more than a hundred countries across hundreds of project locations. The company offers technical, engineering, and programmatic support expertise to a host of U.S. federal and international agencies, including, but not limited to, the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, INTERPOL, and the International Atomic Energy Agency. MELE's services include National Security and Intelligence, CBRNE Defense and Security, Facility Management and Engineering, Law Enforcement and Emergency Response Training, Technical, Analytica, and Program Management Support, and IT/Cybersecurity.

MELE Associates, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. MELE Associates, Inc. is an E-Verify employer.