Sr. Proposal Lead

Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

Are you seeking an opportunity to join a dynamic team of proposal managers dedicated to securing US Federal work worldwide? AECOM is actively recruiting an experienced proposal leader to join our Governments Marketing team. In this pivotal role, you will take ownership of leading major proposals and presentations, providing strategic guidance and hands-on support from pre-RFP positioning through to interview stage, as required. You will also mentor junior proposal professionals supporting both Federal Civilian and DoD Proposal teams. 

This position offers the flexibility of a remote work schedule and can be based from a variety of locations in the US were AECOM has an office.

Your responsibilities will span proposal writing and development, with a strong emphasis on strategic thought leadership—crafting compelling win themes, shaping key messaging, and ensuring all deliverables are fully compliant and differentiated. You’ll leverage your expertise to drive creative approaches and effective strategies throughout the pursuit lifecycle, including workshops to refine win strategies and messaging.

The subject matter includes studies and planning, architecture and engineering design, construction, environmental, program management, and other professional services. Experience with Department of State and international pursuits for U.S. Federal agencies is highly valued, as is your demonstrated success in Federal proposal writing, strategic positioning, and innovative design. Additional preferred experience includes proposal writing for DOI, NASA, and other Federal civilian and defense clients.

The ideal candidate brings proven experience in US Federal proposal development, a collaborative leadership style, advanced skills in compliance and pre-positioning, and a record of thought leadership in developing winning themes and key messages, especially for Federal environmental opportunities.

Duties

General

• As a Proposal Manager and Writer, collaborate with regional and Business Line (BL) teams on identified priority pursuits, including pre-positioning, capture, responses to requests for qualifications (RFQ) and requests for proposals (RFP), as well as shortlist interviews.
• Reports to the Federal Civilian Proposal Team Lead within our Governments Marketing group.

Proposal Writing and Management

• Responsible for leading large, complex, priority must-win pursuits from capture through to interview stage, as required, which may include multiple disciplines/geographies.
• Leads, writes, and contributes to the writing of proposal sections such as cover letters, executive summaries, past performance sections, management approaches, and resumes/staffing sections.
• May facilitate workshops/sessions to support the capture manager in development of the win strategy.
• Analyzes debriefs and applies lessons learned to add value to strategy and reviews.
• Creates detailed annotated outlines and first-draft content, compliance lists, and capture and proposal schedules, with the ability to pivot if requirements change.
• Participates actively in Go/No-Go, capture strategies and greenlight analyses and drives compliance with delegation of authority guidelines, capture planning and positioning activities, providing leadership and direction, where required.
• Facilitates color reviews for assigned pursuits, and applies lessons learned to add value to proposal and win plan.
• Serves as a reviewer on color reviews for priority pursuits led by others, as needed, applying in-depth institutional knowledge.
• Responsible for quality and compliance of deliverables.
• Supports debriefs and gathering of client feedback on proposals to ensure and demonstrate continuous improvements.
• Responsible for proposal and project filing on the server and CRM. Knows where to go for all recent submittals and project descriptions. Is familiar with the top IDIQs and top IDIQ managers and project managers.
• Participates in strategic planning that includes evaluating marketing intelligence, identifying customer concerns and key issues, and developing win strategies to thread into strategic pursuits.
• May contribute to development and implementation of internal training on topics related to core processes, tools, practices, or other special topics.
• May lead special projects involving teams of BL staff, as directed by Governments Marketing Lead

Qualifications

• Bachelor's, preferably in Journalism, English, Communications, Marketing or a related field + 6 years of related proposal management and writing experience, ideally within the US Federal Civilian and/or DoD client sectors or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education.

Knowledge and Experience

• Working knowledge of and interest in the A/E industry, including AECOM’s Federal clients, projects, people, credentials, and competitors.
• Strong proposal writing and editing skills, including grammar and style.
• Evidence of successful leadership of multi-disciplinary or multi-geography proposals valued >$20 million.
• A thorough understanding of effective proposal and presentation best practices and tools, including how to convey messages, themes, discriminators, and responses to evaluation criteria clearly and effectively.
• Demonstrated experience applying industry best practices and procedures to support positioning, client or business development processes.
• A strong working knowledge of desktop publishing software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite), graphics programs (e.g., InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Acrobat, Photoshop), word processing programs (e.g., Microsoft Word), spreadsheet management (Excel), and presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint).
• A working knowledge of collaborative tools such as Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, etc.
• An understanding of CRM. Salesforce experience is a plus.
• Initiative, skill, and personal commitment to manage multiple projects and details concurrently, follow up, and bring tasks and projects to full completion.
• Professional demeanor and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to exercise discretion with confidential/sensitive issues.
• Ability to work independently and with others.
• Diplomacy with peers and internal clients in handling challenging situations.
• Resourceful problem solver.

Preferred 

• Federal environmental proposal experience with both US Federal Civilian and DoD client sectors is a plus.
• APMP/SMPS certification is a plus.

Additional Information

• This position does not include sponsorship for United States work authorization now or in the future
• Relocation assistance and/or per diem is not offered for this position

About AECOM 

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan. 

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com. 

What makes AECOM a great place to work 

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.