Role overview

Qualifications

Proven experience managing private business and state and federal contract proposals
Experience leading full lifecycle proposal development processes
Negotiation skills with ability to secure favorable contracts
Excellent written and verbal communications skills

Responsibilities

Lead enterprise-wide responses to RFPs, RFIs, and large, complex bid opportunities
Drive a consistent, scalable proposal development process across business units
Partner with Sales, Solution Architects, and subject matter experts to develop winning strategies
Track win/loss metrics, analyze performance, and identify areas for improvement

Key facts

Remote from: Illinois (USA), Indiana (USA)
Full time
Senior (5-10 years)
138 - 180K yearly
English

Hard skills

Proposal Development Cross-Functional Collaboration Process Improvement Technical Solution Design Proposal Software Online Communication Organizational Structure

Other skills

Strategic Thinking
Team Leadership
Negotiation
Presentations
Social Skills
Detail Oriented
Problem Solving
Communication
Teamwork
Time Management

About the company

Connection

As a Global IT Solutions Provider, we connect people with technology that enhances growth, elevates productivity, and empowers innovation. Founded in 1982, Connection delivers valuable IT services and advanced technology solutions to business, government, healthcare, and education markets. Today, we serve our customers through our staff of highly trained Account Managers, our team of on-staff experts, and our efficient procurement websites. Additionally, we deliver global procurement solutions through our network of 500 suppliers in 174 countries. Twice recognized by Forbes as one of “America’s Most Trustworthy Companies,” our goal is to provide customers with the expert guidance, state-of-the-art tools, and exceptional service to solve their technology challenges. Throughout our community, we strive to inspire success and increase the value of IT investments. Our Values Respect: We are united by one common vision. We work together to create a winning culture built upon mutual trust and respect. Excellence: We focus on activities that drive results. We lead by example. We work to achieve excellence in all aspects of our business. We are always looking for better ways to serve our customers. Teamwork: We win together—all success is mutual. We are accountable to our customers, employees, and shareholders. We work as a team to effectively collaborate, and drive innovation. Integrity: We are honest and direct in all of our dealings. Honor above all else!

Company details

Company typeLarge

Company size1001 - 5000

Links

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Job description

Overview:

What We Do

We calm the confusion of IT by guiding the connection between people and technology. If a customer is looking for a better way to manage their warehouse inventory, equip their workforce, or secure their data, we make it happen. All it takes is finding the right combination of tech hardware, software, cloud solutions, and support services. That’s what we do. We’re the IT Department’s IT Department.

Who We Are

Our team is made stronger by a multitude of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. It’s what makes Connection unique—what drives us to innovate and create technology solutions that stand apart from the crowd. We’d love for you to be a part of that fabric, to share your ideas and experiences with a team that thrives on fresh thinking, creativity, and helping others.

Why You Should Join Us

You’ll find supportive teammates and a rewarding career at Connection—plus great benefits. We take pride in supporting employees with a total rewards package that provides financial, emotional, and physical resources for you and your family. Our compensation, 401k plans, medical insurance, and other benefits are progressive and competitive. We value the importance of our employees’ emotional wellbeing. To support employees, we provide free therapy visits, mental health coaching and tools, and meditation resources. You’ll also enjoy a generous paid time off package that includes not only vacation and sick time, but also Wellness and Volunteer Time Off days.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

Because of the possibility for fraudulent job postings on many popular job boards, please be advised that Connection will never offer a position of employment without a complete interview process, communication with a live person, and a signed offer letter.

Responsibilities:

We are seeking a strategic and results-driven Director of Proposals to lead and elevate our enterprise-wide proposal function. In this high-impact leadership role, you will oversee the development of compelling, compliant, and competitive responses to RFPs, bids, and other strategic pursuits across our Sales organization.

You will serve as the central leader guiding proposal strategy, driving cross-functional collaboration, and standardizing processes that improve efficiency, quality, and win rates. This role offers the opportunity to shape how we position our solutions, tell our story, and win business.

Lead enterprise-wide responses to RFPs, RFIs, and large, complex bid opportunities
Drive a consistent, scalable proposal development process across business units
Own high-priority pursuits, ensuring submissions are accurate, compelling, and on time
Partner with Sales, Solution Architects, and subject matter experts to develop winning strategies and narratives
Establish and lead a Deal Desk to evaluate and shape high-value opportunities
Build and maintain a centralized proposal knowledge base to improve efficiency and consistency
Implement governance, compliance standards, and post-deal review processes to drive continuous improvement
Lead proposal kickoff meetings, coordinate deliverables, and manage timelines and resources
Track win/loss metrics, analyze performance, and identify areas for improvement
Develop and mentor a high-performing proposal team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and excellence

Min: USD $138,000.00/Yr. Max: USD $179,670.00/Yr. Qualifications:

· Proven experience managing private business and state and federal contract proposals with the demonstrated capability to take ownership and initiative over the entire proposal development life cycle, including managing proposal resources, teams of internal personnel from across the company, and subcontractors to deliver compliant, winning-quality, professionally designed proposal documents.

· Experience leading full lifecycle proposal development processes, including but not limited to: pre-RFP solution development; proposal outlines; schedule; writing assignments; past performance; deal reviews; and proposal submission.

· Experience working closely with growth leads and technical staff including division sales leaders, subject matter experts, external consultants, and other writing support to develop understanding of, create and persuasively articulate a winning solution.

· Negotiation skills with ability to secure favorable contracts.

· Process improvement inclinations and/or experience.

· Proven ability to lead teams, not just manage processes and schedules.

· Proven ability to manage teams with many writers and subcontractors.

· Experience working with Solution Architects to assist in development of technical solutions for proposals.

· Experience managing oral presentations, technical demonstrations, and/or video proposals.

· Experience working with and developing standardized sets of proposal development tools, templates, and processes.

· Excellent written and verbal communications skills with people at all levels of the company, internal personnel, and subcontractors.

· Excellent Interpersonal skills with ability to build collaborative relationships.

· Detail oriented with meticulous attention to detail with ability to proofread for accuracy.

· Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.

· Flexible with ability to handle and prioritize multiple proposals.

· Self-motivated with ability to work independently with minimal supervision and in large teams ranging from Account Managers to senior level management.

· Strong organization skills and commitment to high-quality of work.

· Strong interpersonal and presentation skills for interacting with team members and clients.

· Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Salesforce.