Senior Proposal Manager

About the role

Aretum delivers technology-enabled mission support to the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, and civilian agencies, and we grow by winning work. As our Senior Proposal Manager, you’ll run the proposal process for our priority pursuits, from draft RFP through final submission. You’ll lead writers, subject matter experts, pricing, and teaming partners to deliver proposals that are fully compliant, clearly written, and built around a winning strategy. This is a hybrid role based in our Vienna, VA office, reporting to the Director of Proposals.

Because Aretum is a federal contractor, you may handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and must follow applicable safeguarding requirements.

Responsibilities

Run the proposal

• Manage proposals for federal opportunities from kickoff through submission, including RFIs, sources sought, task orders, and full-and-open competitions
• Analyze RFPs and build compliance matrices, annotated outlines, and response templates mapped to Sections L and M (or equivalent)
• Set and enforce schedules, assign volume and section owners, and keep writers, SMEs, and partners on track to deadlines
• Coordinate with pricing and contracts so the technical, management, past performance, and price volumes tell one consistent story

Shape the win

• Partner with capture managers to turn win themes, discriminators, and customer insight into proposal strategy
• Lead color team reviews (Blue, Pink, Red, Gold), make sure feedback is resolved, and own final compliance and quality checks
• Support orals preparation and responses to evaluation notices, discussions, and final proposal revisions

Build the function

• Maintain and grow a library of reusable content, past performance write-ups, résumés, and templates
• Run lessons-learned sessions after every submission and improve our proposal processes over time
• Mentor proposal coordinators and writers, and stay current on FAR/DFARS changes and evaluation trends

Requirements & Qualifications

Required

• 10+ years of federal proposal management experience, including at least 5 years leading complex proposals as the proposal manager
• Track record managing proposals for DoD, DHS, or civilian agencies, including multi-volume responses and teaming arrangements
• Working knowledge of the FAR, contract types, and federal acquisition processes, including IDIQs, GWACs, and task order competitions
• Strong writing and editing skills, and the ability to turn input from technical SMEs into clear, persuasive content
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams under tight deadlines, often across several pursuits at once
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint
• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent proposal experience
• U.S. work authorization; sponsorship is not available

Preferred

• Experience with Shipley or a similar capture and proposal methodology
• APMP Foundation or Practitioner certification
• Experience with tools such as GovWin, SAM.gov, or proposal automation platforms
• Active security clearance, or eligibility to obtain one

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short Term & Long-Term Disability
• Training & Development
• Salary Range: $120,000–$150,000 annually. Final compensation will be determined based on factors including education, experience, qualifications, skills, and applicable contract requirements.