HDR
Proposal Manager Team Lead, Strategic Pursuits
Join to apply for the
Proposal Manager Team Lead, Strategic Pursuits
role at
HDR . HDR is seeking a highly motivated individual to partner with our Transportation Business Group Strategic Pursuit Leaders (SPL). This role reports to the Strategic Pursuits Team Lead and will have a number of direct reports. The individual is an important partner to the SPLs managing workload assignments so that the entire proposal manager team is producing winning, professional, competitive proposals on our highly visible, complex and game-changing opportunities. Responsibilities
Work with all TBG Strategic Pursuit Leaders on a consistent basis to know and understand needs and levels of support to carry out appropriate tasks during pre-positioning and proposal production phases. This supervisory position is responsible for the efficient execution and workload management of the proposal managers across all strategic pursuits, including determining whether travel is necessary or not. Understands active pursuit and proposal schedules in order to make work assignment adjustments, offering proper coverage of all activities across the operation. Manage the proposal managers to coordinate and complete any and/or all parts of a pursuit or proposal phase deliverables, including adding staff when deliverables are voluminous, complex, and/or under very tight deadlines. Mentor proposal managers on improving proposal execution processes and procedures while enhancing the use of production tools and software. This mentoring includes interpersonal communication, personal time management, and conflict management strategies. Conduct routine performance appraisals for team members. Serve as a Proposal Manager where and when appropriate (see Proposal Manager position). Proposal Management & Coordination
Foster a self-directed, accountable team culture by delivering high-quality, review- and client-ready materials. Lead the full proposal lifecycle, from kickoff through final production and interview, owning all deliverables and driving a smooth, efficient process. Develop and manage pursuit organization tools, including schedules, compliance matrices, templates, and assignment dashboards, using collaborative online platforms. Include capturing meeting notes and action items, translating key themes and client priorities into a focused capture plan. Review and interpret RFPs to create clear, actionable compliance matrices that guide proposal development. Coordinate input from internal teams and external subconsultants, maintaining alignment and clear communication throughout. Track and communicate progress, manage deadlines, and adjust priorities to keep the team and deliverables on schedule. Support content development by preparing early drafts, capturing meeting notes, and distilling key themes and differentiators into a focused capture plan. Proactively communicate workload needs and availability. Content Development & Quality
Write, edit, and format non-technical proposal content to ensure clarity and consistency. Work closely with specialized experts to write and visualize technical approaches and project understanding information. Work closely with staff to develop qualifications, bios, data, forms, and terms to be accurate and compliant. Support the creation of storyboarding, benefit statements, message development, project profiles, and additional data and materials to demonstrate our aligned qualifications and differentiators. Research project background and tailor content accordingly. Author and review draft proposal text for consistency, brand voice, and grammar to remove errors and redundancy. Integrate risks/issues identified by the pursuit team and translate them into the PSOE (problem, solution, outcome, evidence) table. Work with graphic designers to produce visuals that present this information clearly. Identify gaps in draft proposal text that need to be addressed/written, based on capture planning, PSOE exercises, RFP requirements and other resources. Visual & Layout Skills
Compose and format documents with reader-friendly graphic/layout skills using InDesign. Maintain an intermediate level and pursue growth toward advanced use as needed. Coordinate with marketing resources, including graphic designers, data keepers, and layout artists. Communicate progress with the Strategic Pursuit Leader assigned to the pursuit. Collaborate with technical leads to develop draft presentation materials and work with graphic designers to transform complex technical content into clear visuals. Provide clear direction and timely communication to achieve high-quality deliverables. Develop materials, such as interactive presentations, leave-behinds, and other brand-specific deliverables to communicate key messages and differentiators. Quality Control & Compliance Checks
Create schedules and time blocks to conduct appropriate reviews of content and graphics during production. Monitor progress of the proposal process, with timely follow-up, to ensure internal proposal deadlines and quality processes are met. Work with Strategic Pursuit leaders to meet expectations of quality-driven materials, including graphics and formatting of proposal elements. Take the initiative to perform or request support for technical editing and compliance reviews to ensure grammatical accuracy and alignment with RFP requirements. Continuously improve and evolve efficient processes for producing high-quality materials. Pre-positioning, Collateral & Material Management
Research project background, news articles, and Board/Council meetings; keep collected data organized in a collaborative online platform or tool. Gather and refine resumes, project information, histories, photographs, and other data so all materials are current and effectively support key differentiating sections of the proposal. Develop materials, such as interactive presentations, leave-behinds, and other brand-specific deliverables to help team members communicate key messages. Engage with leadership in the coordination and analysis of marketplace, client, and project-specific research. Partner with the marketing communications team to develop and promote sector qualifications and marketing collateral materials for positioning prior to an RFP release. Continuous Process Improvements
Learn, use, and teach others current and effective AI tools and software to improve efficiency and quality. Support proposal quality by monitoring against best practices and industry standards. Contribute to continuous improvement through internal and external debriefs. Serve as a subject matter expert and advocate, following HDR procedures, policies, and best practices, including standard file management and archiving. Skill Aptitude
Interpersonal skills
Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and complete simultaneous projects. Ability to meet deadlines and work well under pressure. Demonstrated strong written and oral communication skills. Strong attention to detail and adherence to HDRs brand guidelines. Self-starter, team-oriented, able to work with different personalities and professional styles. Active listening to gather and interpret team input, client needs, and leadership direction to inform proposal strategy and content. Adaptable to internal and external client needs, proactively communicating concerns or improvement ideas. Interest in and understanding of the transportation business environment and industry terminology. Comfortable communicating with individuals at all levels; able to work independently and in cross-functional teams. Highly articulate with sound problem-solving and professional judgment. Builds and fosters strong working relationships to keep the team connected and deliver great proposals. Enthusiasm and dedication to developing a professional proposal management career. Computer Skills
Advanced: Word, PowerPoint, Teams/SharePoint, OneNote Intermediate: InDesign, Excel, Photoshop, Illustrator Experience with CRM programs (Salesforce, Oscar, Watson, Proposal Development Marketing System) and current collaborative tools Additional items for the position
Active participation in our employee-owned culture is essential Driven to join a high-caliber team and contribute to its growth and achievements Positive contributor to team culture with a goal to be best in class Anticipated travel: approximately 10-20% Reports to: Strategic Pursuits Proposal Manager Team Lead Required Qualifications
Minimum of 8 years relevant industry experience Self-starter with a track record of completing projects with limited oversight Experience in sales and developing effective win strategies Excellent written and verbal communication skills Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) Proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud applications, including InDesign Deep knowledge of the A/E/C industrys standard procurement of professional services Ability to motivate and inspire others Experience winning high-value contracts in the A/E/C industry Experience writing compelling content based on information from technical staff What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other s life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve. Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day. Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees. We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, health, and success, including medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions.) California: $123,893 - $176,990; Colorado: $106,999 - $176,990; Connecticut: $123,893 - $176,990; Hawaii: $118,262 - $168,945; Illinois: $112,630 - $176,990; Maryland: $118,262 - $168,945; Minnesota: $101,367 - $168,945; Montana: $101,367 - $144,810; Nevada: $112,630 - $160,900; New Jersey: $129,525 - $201,125; New York: $112,630 - $201,125; Ohio: $112,630 - $160,900; Rhode Island: $118,262 - $168,945; Washington D C: $135,156 - $193,080; Washington State: $106,999 - $193,080. Primary Location: United States-Colorado-Denver Industry: Marketing/Communications Schedule: Full-time Employee Status: Regular BusinessClass: Marketing and Admin Job Posting: Aug 29, 2025 At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records. #J-18808-Ljbffr
Join to apply for the
Proposal Manager Team Lead, Strategic Pursuits
role at
HDR . HDR is seeking a highly motivated individual to partner with our Transportation Business Group Strategic Pursuit Leaders (SPL). This role reports to the Strategic Pursuits Team Lead and will have a number of direct reports. The individual is an important partner to the SPLs managing workload assignments so that the entire proposal manager team is producing winning, professional, competitive proposals on our highly visible, complex and game-changing opportunities. Responsibilities
Work with all TBG Strategic Pursuit Leaders on a consistent basis to know and understand needs and levels of support to carry out appropriate tasks during pre-positioning and proposal production phases. This supervisory position is responsible for the efficient execution and workload management of the proposal managers across all strategic pursuits, including determining whether travel is necessary or not. Understands active pursuit and proposal schedules in order to make work assignment adjustments, offering proper coverage of all activities across the operation. Manage the proposal managers to coordinate and complete any and/or all parts of a pursuit or proposal phase deliverables, including adding staff when deliverables are voluminous, complex, and/or under very tight deadlines. Mentor proposal managers on improving proposal execution processes and procedures while enhancing the use of production tools and software. This mentoring includes interpersonal communication, personal time management, and conflict management strategies. Conduct routine performance appraisals for team members. Serve as a Proposal Manager where and when appropriate (see Proposal Manager position). Proposal Management & Coordination
Foster a self-directed, accountable team culture by delivering high-quality, review- and client-ready materials. Lead the full proposal lifecycle, from kickoff through final production and interview, owning all deliverables and driving a smooth, efficient process. Develop and manage pursuit organization tools, including schedules, compliance matrices, templates, and assignment dashboards, using collaborative online platforms. Include capturing meeting notes and action items, translating key themes and client priorities into a focused capture plan. Review and interpret RFPs to create clear, actionable compliance matrices that guide proposal development. Coordinate input from internal teams and external subconsultants, maintaining alignment and clear communication throughout. Track and communicate progress, manage deadlines, and adjust priorities to keep the team and deliverables on schedule. Support content development by preparing early drafts, capturing meeting notes, and distilling key themes and differentiators into a focused capture plan. Proactively communicate workload needs and availability. Content Development & Quality
Write, edit, and format non-technical proposal content to ensure clarity and consistency. Work closely with specialized experts to write and visualize technical approaches and project understanding information. Work closely with staff to develop qualifications, bios, data, forms, and terms to be accurate and compliant. Support the creation of storyboarding, benefit statements, message development, project profiles, and additional data and materials to demonstrate our aligned qualifications and differentiators. Research project background and tailor content accordingly. Author and review draft proposal text for consistency, brand voice, and grammar to remove errors and redundancy. Integrate risks/issues identified by the pursuit team and translate them into the PSOE (problem, solution, outcome, evidence) table. Work with graphic designers to produce visuals that present this information clearly. Identify gaps in draft proposal text that need to be addressed/written, based on capture planning, PSOE exercises, RFP requirements and other resources. Visual & Layout Skills
Compose and format documents with reader-friendly graphic/layout skills using InDesign. Maintain an intermediate level and pursue growth toward advanced use as needed. Coordinate with marketing resources, including graphic designers, data keepers, and layout artists. Communicate progress with the Strategic Pursuit Leader assigned to the pursuit. Collaborate with technical leads to develop draft presentation materials and work with graphic designers to transform complex technical content into clear visuals. Provide clear direction and timely communication to achieve high-quality deliverables. Develop materials, such as interactive presentations, leave-behinds, and other brand-specific deliverables to communicate key messages and differentiators. Quality Control & Compliance Checks
Create schedules and time blocks to conduct appropriate reviews of content and graphics during production. Monitor progress of the proposal process, with timely follow-up, to ensure internal proposal deadlines and quality processes are met. Work with Strategic Pursuit leaders to meet expectations of quality-driven materials, including graphics and formatting of proposal elements. Take the initiative to perform or request support for technical editing and compliance reviews to ensure grammatical accuracy and alignment with RFP requirements. Continuously improve and evolve efficient processes for producing high-quality materials. Pre-positioning, Collateral & Material Management
Research project background, news articles, and Board/Council meetings; keep collected data organized in a collaborative online platform or tool. Gather and refine resumes, project information, histories, photographs, and other data so all materials are current and effectively support key differentiating sections of the proposal. Develop materials, such as interactive presentations, leave-behinds, and other brand-specific deliverables to help team members communicate key messages. Engage with leadership in the coordination and analysis of marketplace, client, and project-specific research. Partner with the marketing communications team to develop and promote sector qualifications and marketing collateral materials for positioning prior to an RFP release. Continuous Process Improvements
Learn, use, and teach others current and effective AI tools and software to improve efficiency and quality. Support proposal quality by monitoring against best practices and industry standards. Contribute to continuous improvement through internal and external debriefs. Serve as a subject matter expert and advocate, following HDR procedures, policies, and best practices, including standard file management and archiving. Skill Aptitude
Interpersonal skills
Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and complete simultaneous projects. Ability to meet deadlines and work well under pressure. Demonstrated strong written and oral communication skills. Strong attention to detail and adherence to HDRs brand guidelines. Self-starter, team-oriented, able to work with different personalities and professional styles. Active listening to gather and interpret team input, client needs, and leadership direction to inform proposal strategy and content. Adaptable to internal and external client needs, proactively communicating concerns or improvement ideas. Interest in and understanding of the transportation business environment and industry terminology. Comfortable communicating with individuals at all levels; able to work independently and in cross-functional teams. Highly articulate with sound problem-solving and professional judgment. Builds and fosters strong working relationships to keep the team connected and deliver great proposals. Enthusiasm and dedication to developing a professional proposal management career. Computer Skills
Advanced: Word, PowerPoint, Teams/SharePoint, OneNote Intermediate: InDesign, Excel, Photoshop, Illustrator Experience with CRM programs (Salesforce, Oscar, Watson, Proposal Development Marketing System) and current collaborative tools Additional items for the position
Active participation in our employee-owned culture is essential Driven to join a high-caliber team and contribute to its growth and achievements Positive contributor to team culture with a goal to be best in class Anticipated travel: approximately 10-20% Reports to: Strategic Pursuits Proposal Manager Team Lead Required Qualifications
Minimum of 8 years relevant industry experience Self-starter with a track record of completing projects with limited oversight Experience in sales and developing effective win strategies Excellent written and verbal communication skills Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) Proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud applications, including InDesign Deep knowledge of the A/E/C industrys standard procurement of professional services Ability to motivate and inspire others Experience winning high-value contracts in the A/E/C industry Experience writing compelling content based on information from technical staff What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other s life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve. Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day. Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees. We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, health, and success, including medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions.) California: $123,893 - $176,990; Colorado: $106,999 - $176,990; Connecticut: $123,893 - $176,990; Hawaii: $118,262 - $168,945; Illinois: $112,630 - $176,990; Maryland: $118,262 - $168,945; Minnesota: $101,367 - $168,945; Montana: $101,367 - $144,810; Nevada: $112,630 - $160,900; New Jersey: $129,525 - $201,125; New York: $112,630 - $201,125; Ohio: $112,630 - $160,900; Rhode Island: $118,262 - $168,945; Washington D C: $135,156 - $193,080; Washington State: $106,999 - $193,080. Primary Location: United States-Colorado-Denver Industry: Marketing/Communications Schedule: Full-time Employee Status: Regular BusinessClass: Marketing and Admin Job Posting: Aug 29, 2025 At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records. #J-18808-Ljbffr