Proposal Manager

Summary

We are seeking an experienced Proposal Manager to join our Legal team and lead our response efforts to customer RFPs, RFIs, and security questionnaires. This role is critical in showcasing our cybersecurity capabilities, compliance posture, and contractual commitments to prospective and existing enterprise customers. The ideal candidate will combine strong project management skills with the ability to translate complex legal, technical, and security concepts into compelling, customer-focused proposals.

What You'll Do

Proposal Management & Coordination

• Own the end-to-end RFP response process, from initial intake through submission and follow-up
• Maintain and manage the RFP calendar, tracking deadlines and coordinating resources across multiple concurrent proposals
• Conduct go/no-go analysis for incoming RFPs, assessing strategic fit and win probability
• Develop and maintain proposal templates, boilerplate content library, and response databases
• Coordinate with Sales, Legal, Product, Engineering, Security, and Compliance teams to gather accurate, comprehensive responses

Content Development & Quality Assurance

• Write, edit, and refine proposal content to ensure clarity, accuracy, and alignment with customer requirements
• Translate technical cybersecurity capabilities and legal terms into clear, persuasive language
• Ensure all proposals maintain consistent messaging, branding, and compliance with company standards
• Review and update standard security questionnaire responses, NDAs, and other routine documentation
• Conduct quality reviews of all proposals before submission

Legal & Compliance Focus

• Partner closely with Legal team members to ensure accurate representation of contractual terms, SLAs, and liability provisions
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant compliance frameworks (SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, CCPA, etc.)
• Coordinate responses to security assessments and compliance questionnaires
• Support contract negotiations by providing proposal-related documentation and clarifications

Process Improvement & Knowledge Management

• Continuously improve RFP response processes, tools, and timelines
• Maintain a comprehensive knowledge base of product capabilities, security controls, and compliance certifications
• Conduct win/loss analysis and implement lessons learned
• Train team members on RFP best practices and tools
• Track and report on RFP metrics, including volume, win rates, and response times

What You'll Bring

Experience

• 5+ years of experience in proposal management, preferably in B2B SaaS, technology, or cybersecurity industries
• Proven track record of managing complex, multi-stakeholder RFP responses
• Experience working with or within legal departments on commercial contracts and agreements
• Demonstrated success in winning competitive enterprise deals through excellent proposal submissions

Skills & Knowledge

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to synthesize complex information
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously
• Understanding of cybersecurity concepts, compliance frameworks, and enterprise software procurement processes
• Proficiency with proposal management tools (RFPIO, Loopio, or similar) and CRM systems (Salesforce preferred)
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite and/or Google Workspace

Education

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in Business, Law, Communications, or related field preferred
• Professional certifications in proposal management (APMP) are a plus

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in cybersecurity or enterprise software companies
• Knowledge of common security frameworks and certifications (SOC 2, ISO 27001, FedRAMP, NIST)
• Understanding of SaaS business models and metrics
• Experience with legal contract terminology and standard commercial terms
• Familiarity with public sector procurement processes
• Technical writing background or certification

Key Competencies

• Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to ensure accuracy in all proposal content and compliance with requirements
• Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with diverse teams including legal, sales, technical, and executive stakeholders
• Time Management: Excellence in prioritizing tasks and meeting tight deadlines without compromising quality
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to understand customer needs and position our solutions effectively
• Adaptability: Comfort working in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities
• Customer Focus: Strong commitment to understanding and addressing customer concerns and requirements