Proposal Manager (Public Sector Programs)

Proposal Manager (Public Sector Programs)

Location: Atlanta, GA or Remote

Department: Strategic Growth / Business Development

Reports To: VP

About the Role

Neighborly Software is seeking a Proposal Manager to lead and execute high-value, complex public-sector RFP pursuits for our upmarket growth initiatives. This role is both strategic and hands-on - ideal for someone who can own proposal strategy and structure while also writing significant portions of content initially, particularly during our current growth phase.

You will lead proposals for state-level and enterprise opportunities, including disaster recovery (CDBG-DR/MIT), DOE Home Energy Rebate Programs, state energy offices, and large housing portfolios. You will serve as the central orchestrator of the proposal lifecycle - from kickoff through submission - while helping build the processes, templates, and content foundation that will support future scale.

At this stage, this is a player/coach role. While you will be supported by a Proposal Coordinator, external design resources, and SMEs, you should expect to do substantial writing and synthesis yourself as we build toward a more fully staffed proposal function.

Key Responsibilities

Proposal Strategy & Ownership

• Own end-to-end execution of complex RFPs, RFIs, and RFQs, including schedule, roles, compliance, and submission readiness.
• Develop proposal strategy, win themes, response architecture, and evaluator-focused positioning.
• Lead kickoff meetings, solutioning sessions, color team reviews, and final reviews.
• Translate evaluation criteria into clear, scoreable narratives across all volumes.

Writing & Content Development (Hands-On)

• Write, edit, and synthesize high-quality proposal content, particularly for executive summaries, technical narratives, implementation approaches, and differentiators.
• Partner with SMEs across Product, Engineering, Implementation, Client Success, Partnerships, and Leadership to extract input and convert it into compelling, compliant responses.
• Ensure consistency of voice, messaging, and positioning across all sections.
• Maintain and evolve a reusable content library, templates, and boilerplate as part of building long-term structure.

Process & Structure Building

• Establish repeatable proposal processes, timelines, and pursuit frameworks suited for complex, upmarket procurements.
• Define best practices for content development, reviews, version control, and submission readiness.
• Identify gaps in documentation and proactively build materials needed to support future pursuits.
• Help shape the future proposal team structure as the function scales.

Visuals, Formatting & Production Oversight

• Partner with graphic designers and/or external resources to develop visuals such as process flows, system diagrams, and roadmaps.
• Oversee layout, formatting, and final packaging (Word, PDF, or InDesign-based), ensuring compliance with page limits and submission requirements.
• Coordinate with the Proposal Coordinator on formatting, document assembly, and portal submissions.

Q&A, Addenda & Compliance

• Lead development of responses to bidder Q&A, addenda, and clarification requests.
• Ensure accuracy, consistency, and alignment across all submitted responses.
• Partner with Legal as needed on proprietary language, redactions, and public-records considerations.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Serve as the connective tissue across Strategic Growth, Sales, Product, Engineering, Implementation, Finance, and Legal.
• Guide SMEs on how to write to evaluators and focus on what drives scoring.
• Manage multiple concurrent pursuits while maintaining quality and calm under deadline pressure.

Qualifications

Required

• 7+ years of experience leading and/or writing complex proposals in a consulting, GovTech, SaaS, or enterprise solutions environment.
• Strong experience responding to state or local government procurements.
• Proven ability to both manage proposal strategy and write high-quality content.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and synthesis skills with the ability to simplify complex technical and regulatory concepts.
• Deep understanding of RFP compliance, evaluation scoring, and public-sector procurement dynamics.
• Highly organized, deadline-driven, and comfortable operating in a build-as-you-go environment.

Preferred

• Experience developing proposal responses for large-scale, public sector programs, such as disaster recovery (CDBG-DR/MIT), DOE energy or rebate initiatives, and HUD or affordable housing.
• Familiarity with APMP-style proposal methodologies.
• Experience with proposal tools such as Loopio or RFPIO.
• Comfort collaborating with graphic designers and overseeing visually polished proposal outputs.

Why This Role Matters

This role is foundational to Neighborly Software’s upmarket growth. You are not stepping into a mature proposal machine - you are helping build it. For the right person, this is an opportunity to shape strategy, structure, and standards while playing a visible role in winning some of the company’s most important pursuits.