Proposal Manager / Solutions Architect

Position Overview


The Proposal Manager / Solutions Architect at C3EL is a hands-on leadership role responsible for managing and executing Federal proposal development activities across DoD and Federal Civilian opportunities within a fast-paced small business environment. Operating in a player-coach capacity, this position combines proposal leadership, operational ownership of the proposal function, and direct proposal writing responsibilities while helping mature and scale C3EL’s proposal capabilities, including proposal processes, reusable content libraries, AI-enabled workflows, knowledge management practices, and long-term proposal operations infrastructure aligned to company growth objectives. The selected candidate is expected to remain actively engaged in proposal writing, editing, recovery writing, and content refinement across technical, management, staffing, transition, and past performance volumes, while translating operational, technical, and management concepts into compliant, compelling, and evaluator-focused proposal narratives.


The position will work closely with executive leadership, capture and business development personnel, technical SMEs, operations leadership, contracts, pricing, recruiting, and external teaming partners, and will report directly to executive leadership within the growth organization. A successful candidate will possess strong Federal proposal writing capabilities, experience managing proposal development activities, and the ability to translate operational, technical, and management concepts into compliant, compelling, and evaluator-focused proposal narratives.


Job Description


As the Proposal Manager / Solutions Architect you will directly contribute to the growth and strategic expansion of C3EL through the development of high-quality Federal Government proposals supporting mission-critical customer environments. This role requires an individual capable of balancing proposal leadership responsibilities with direct proposal development contributions under compressed timelines and evolving customer requirements. In addition to supporting active proposal efforts, this position is expected to help establish scalable proposal operations processes and contribute to the long-term growth and maturation of C3EL’s proposal development function.


Responsibilities

• Lead the development and submission of Federal Government proposals, RFQs, RFIs, task orders, and related business development artifacts.


• Serve as a primary contributor and writer for proposal volumes including technical, management, staffing, transition, executive summary, and past performance sections.


• Analyze solicitations, Statements of Work (SOW), Statements of Objectives (SOO), Performance Work Statements (PWS), and Sections L & M to ensure proposal compliance and alignment with evaluation criteria.


• Develop and manage proposal artifacts including schedules, annotated outlines, compliance matrices, storyboards, kickoff materials, review briefings, and submission checklists.


• Coordinate effectively with Growth leadership, Capture personnel, Program Managers, engineers, pricing, contracts, and subject matter experts throughout proposal development activities.


• Perform substantive editing, recovery writing, and refinement of SME-generated content to improve clarity, compliance, persuasiveness, and overall proposal quality.


• Identify discriminators, strengths, and win themes aligned to customer mission priorities and evaluation criteria.


• Lead and facilitate proposal kickoff meetings, working sessions, and color team reviews.


• Manage proposal schedules, internal deadlines, and proposal production activities to ensure timely submission of compliant deliverables.


• Effectively communicate proposal status, risks, and recommendations to C3EL leadership throughout the proposal lifecycle.


• Utilize AI-enabled tools responsibly and effectively to improve proposal development efficiency, artifact generation, content refinement, and research activities.


• Support the development and continuous improvement of proposal processes, templates, reusable content libraries, AI-assisted workflows, and knowledge management practices.


• Help establish scalable proposal operations capabilities aligned to the long-term growth objectives of the organization.


• Support future growth of the proposal function, including recommendations for process improvements, resource planning, and operational scalability.


• Operate effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven, highly collaborative proposal environment.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution OR equivalent directly relevant professional experience.


• Minimum 5 years of Federal Government proposal writing experience supporting DoD and/or Federal Civilian agencies.


• Minimum 2 years of proposal management experience supporting competitive Federal proposals. Proposal management and proposal writing experience may be concurrent.


• Demonstrated experience serving as a direct proposal writer and content developer, not solely as a proposal coordinator or administrative manager.


• Demonstrated experience developing compliant and compelling proposals for Federal opportunities including technical, management, staffing, transition, and past performance volumes.


• Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying solicitation requirements including Sections L & M, PWS/SOW/SOO requirements, evaluation criteria, and compliance requirements.


• Demonstrated experience developing and managing proposal artifacts including schedules, compliance matrices, annotated outlines, storyboards, kickoff materials, and color review documentation.


• Strong persuasive writing, editing, and content refinement skills with the ability to translate technical concepts into evaluator-focused proposal narrative.


• Strong organizational, prioritization, and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities and deadlines simultaneously.


• Experience operating in collaborative proposal environments involving technical SMEs, operational leadership, pricing teams, subcontractors, and executive stakeholders.


• Advanced proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint in proposal development environments.


• Experience utilizing AI-enabled tools to support proposal development, research, drafting, editing, and content refinement activities.


• Ability to operate independently and take ownership of proposal operations activities within a growing small business environment.


• US Citizenship required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting Enterprise IT, Cybersecurity, Engineering, Communications, AV/VTC, and/or C5ISR-related Federal programs.


• Experience supporting proposals within small business or growth-oriented GovCon environments.


• Familiarity with Shipley-based proposal development methodologies. Shipley Associates Proposal Management Certification and/or Shipley Capture Management Training preferred.


• Experience establishing or improving proposal operations processes within a growing organization.


• Experience managing proposal content repositories, templates, and proposal knowledge management practices.


• Active security clearance or ability to obtain one preferred.