Senior Proposal Lead

SMMA is seeking an experienced Senior Proposal Lead to join our collaborative Marketing team. This role is responsible for managing and leading the development of compelling, compliant, and strategic proposals, qualifications, and interview materials that support the firm's business development objectives across seven market sectors.

The ideal candidate is an exceptional communicator, organizer, and storyteller who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys partnering with multidisciplinary teams. Working closely with market leaders, technical staff, and marketing professionals, the Senior Proposal Lead will guide pursuits from opportunity identification through submission, helping position SMMA for success through thoughtful strategy, strong project management, and high-quality deliverables.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the full pursuit lifecycle, including opportunity evaluation, kickoff meetings, strategy development, content creation, reviews, submissions, and interview preparation.
• Analyze RFIs, RFQs, RFPs, and other procurement documents to identify requirements, assess pursuit opportunities, and develop response strategies.
• Develop proposal schedules, compliance matrices, outlines, assignments, and review processes to ensure timely, high-quality submissions.
• Compose and format documents with strong reader-friendly graphic/layout skills.
• Collaborate with market leaders, technical staff, and subject matter experts to gather information, define win themes, and develop compelling proposal content.
• Write, edit, and tailor proposal narratives to clearly communicate SMMA's qualifications, experience, and value proposition.
• Coordinate with subconsultants and project partners to obtain required qualifications, schedules, certifications, and commitment materials.
• Conduct opportunity searches and maintain firm profiles and qualifications within procurement portals and industry databases.
• Manage and maintain proposal resources, including project descriptions, resumes, templates, boilerplate content, and lessons learned.
• Track pursuits, maintain pipeline data and opportunity records in Vantagepoint, and provide regular pursuit status reporting to market leadership.
• Participate in post-submission debriefs and pursuit analyses, identifying opportunities to strengthen future proposals and processes.
• Stay informed on industry trends, client priorities, competitor activity, and proposal best practices within the AEC industry.

Successful Characteristics and Behaviors:

• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Strategic thinker who can translate complex information into clear, persuasive, and client-focused messaging.
• Collaborative and relationship-oriented, with the ability to build trust across technical and non-technical teams.
• Capable of working independently while contributing to a team environment.
• Calm and adaptable under deadline-driven conditions.
• Strong project management skills and commitment to delivering high-quality work on schedule.
• Curious and eager to learn about clients, markets, industry trends, and emerging pursuit strategies.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, English, Marketing, Journalism, Business, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience leading qualifications, proposals, and interview materials, preferably within the AEC industry.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex pursuits and coordinating multidisciplinary teams through all phases of the proposal development process.
• Exceptional writing, editing, proofreading, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate technical content into clear, persuasive, client-focused messaging.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Detail-oriented with a commitment to accuracy, quality, and compliance.
• Strong research, analytical, and critical thinking skills.

About SMMA

SMMA is one of New England’s most unique design firms due to our composition, reputation, and focus. Cambridge-based since our incorporation in 1955, we offer an integrated, multidisciplinary environment driven by collaboration between architects, engineers, technologists, researchers, and industry experts.

We focus on building lasting relationships with strategic partners across public and private sectors, with work spanning K-12, higher education, corporate, commercial, life science, federal government, and advanced technology projects.

As an employee-owned firm, we believe that good ideas are welcome from anywhere. Our work reflects a shared commitment to design excellence, sustainability, and social responsibility.

Company Perks

• Employee-owned firm (ESOP)
• Hybrid work-from-home policy
• Competitive benefits package
• Company-funded MA Paid Family and Medical Leave
• 401(k) with company match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Mentor/protégé program
• Educational and licensure reimbursement
• Professional development opportunities

The approximate pay range for this position is $95,000 - $115,000.