Senior Proposal Manager

At Commence, we’re the start of a new age of data-centric transformation, elevating health outcomes and powering better, more efficient process to program and patient health. We combine quality data-driven solutions that fuel answers, technology that advances performance, and clinical expertise that builds trust to create a more efficient path to quality care.

With human-centered, healthcare-relevant, and value-based solutions, we create new possibilities with data. We provide proof beyond the concept and performance beyond the scope with a focus on efficiencies that transform the lives of those we serve. With a culture driven by purpose, straightforward communication and clinical domain expertise, Commence cuts straight to better care. 

We are seeking an experienced Senior Proposal Manager to lead and manage the development of high-quality, compliant, and compelling proposals for large-scale federal health programs. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in federal contracting, particularly with agencies such as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and Defense Health Agency (DHA). This role requires strategic thinking, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to coordinate cross-functional teams under tight deadlines.

• Lead the full lifecycle of proposal development for complex, high-value federal opportunities, from pre-RFP planning through submission and post-submission activities, ensuring compliance and alignment with solicitation requirements. 
• Serve as the executive owner of strategic proposal efforts, ensuring alignment with corporate growth objectives and capture strategies. 
• Collaborate with growth leadership, business development, capture leads, and solution architects to define win themes, pricing strategies, and discriminators that position the company competitively. 
• Direct and manage cross-functional proposal teams including SMEs, writers, and designers to produce high-quality, compelling proposal responses. 
• Write, edit, and oversee proposal sections such as executive summaries, technical approaches, management plans, and past performance narratives. 
• Coordinate and lead proposal reviews (e.g., Pink, Red, Gold teams), integrating reviewer feedback to improve final deliverables. 
• Review and approve final proposal deliverables to ensure they meet quality, compliance, and strategic objectives prior to submission. 
• Manage senior-level stakeholder engagement, including briefing executive leadership on proposal progress, risks, and recommendations for mitigation. 
• Continuously refine the proposal infrastructure - including templates, tools, content libraries, governance processes, and knowledge management systems - to enhance scalability and efficiency. 
• Lead process improvement initiatives focused on increasing the effectiveness of proposal operations, including adoption of automation tools and proposal AI/analytics. 
• Establish and enforce proposal standards, style guides, and compliance checklists that ensure consistency across all submissions. 
• Mentor and guide proposal staff at all levels, providing strategic oversight, quality assurance, and professional development planning. 
• Conduct strategic lessons learned debriefs to capture best practices, customer feedback, and areas for refinement. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in English, Communications, Business, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in federal proposal management, with at least 5 years focused on health-related agencies such as CMS, VA, or DHA. 
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to support multiple projects and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong ability to collaborate with SMEs to extract key insights and develop a well-structured proposal that accurately describes our solutions, conveys our value proposition, and meets client requirements 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a keen attention to detail.
• Must be able to work efficiently and collaboratively in a remote environment, utilizing virtual collaboration tools to coordinate efforts. 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, and other relevant proposal tools and software.

Preferred Qualifications

• Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP) certification preferred
• Shipley certification and/or training? preferred

Commence is an equal employment opportunity employer. All personnel processes are merit-based and applied without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, disability, national or ethnic origin, military and veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. 

If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at 757-306-4920 or hr@commence.ai