
Proposal Specialist IV
AECOM · Houston, TX
- On site
- Full-time
- $110,000 / year
- Houston, TX
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Subject: Interested in the Proposal Specialist IV role at AECOM
Hi Jamie — I came across the Proposal Specialist IV opening and wanted to reach out directly. I've spent the last few years doing exactly this kind of work, and AECOM stood out because…
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Job highlights
- Lead US Federal proposals from start to finish.
- Manage proposal teams and resources effectively.
- Develop win strategies and compelling content.
- Work on diverse infrastructure consulting projects.
- Utilize strong writing and compliance skills.
About the role
About AECOM:
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 Overview:
AECOM is seeking an experienced Proposal Leader to join our Governments Marketing team, focusing on winning US Federal work globally. This role involves leading key proposals and presentations from pre-RFP positioning through to interviews, supporting our Federal Civilian and DoD Proposal teams, and managing a team of proposal staff. Subject matter expertise can include studies and planning, architecture and engineering design, construction, environmental, program management, and other professional services. The ideal candidate possesses experience with US Federal proposal writing, strong leadership, a keen compliance focus, robust pre-positioning and proposal writing skills, and creative design ideas. This is a hybrid position, allowing for a blend of remote and in-office work, and can be based in Houston, TX, among other locations.
Key Responsibilities:
General Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with regional and business line teams on priority pursuits, including pre-positioning, capture, RFQ/RFP responses, and interview stages.
- Report to the Marketing Team Lead within the Governments Marketing group.
Proposal Management and Development:
- Lead large, complex, priority must-win pursuits from capture through interview stages, potentially involving multiple disciplines/geographies.
- Facilitate workshops to support win strategy development and analyze debriefs to incorporate lessons learned.
- Create detailed annotated outlines, first-draft content, compliance lists, and proposal schedules, adapting to changing requirements.
- Write proposal sections including cover letters, executive summaries, past performance, management approaches, and resumes/staffing.
- Actively participate in Go/No-Go decisions, capture strategies, and greenlight analyses, ensuring compliance with delegation of authority.
- Facilitate color reviews (pink and red team) and apply lessons learned.
- Serve as a reviewer on other priority pursuits, applying institutional knowledge.
- Ensure quality and compliance of all deliverables and support debriefs to gather client feedback for continuous improvement.
- Manage proposal and project filing on secure servers and within CRM systems.
- Maintain familiarity with top IDIQs and associated project managers.
- Contribute to strategic planning, including evaluating marketing intelligence, identifying customer concerns, and developing win strategies.
- Potentially contribute to internal training programs and lead special projects involving business line staff.
Qualifications:
Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Journalism, English, Communications, Marketing, or a related field; or equivalent experience.
- 6+ years of related proposal experience, preferably in US Federal Civilian and/or DoD sectors.
- Working knowledge of the A/E industry, including AECOM’s Federal clients, projects, and competitors.
- Demonstrated success in leading multi-disciplinary or multi-geography proposals valued over $20 million.
- Thorough understanding of effective proposal and presentation best practices, including conveying messages, themes, and responses to evaluation criteria.
- Experience applying industry best practices to support positioning and business development processes.
- Strong proposal writing and editing skills, with excellent grammar and style.
- Proficiency in desktop publishing (Adobe Creative Suite), graphics (InDesign, Illustrator, Acrobat, Photoshop), word processing (Microsoft Word), spreadsheet management (Excel), and presentation software (PowerPoint).
- Working knowledge of collaborative tools like Microsoft Teams and SharePoint.
- Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently, follow up, and complete tasks independently.
- Professional demeanor with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to handle sensitive issues discreetly.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively, demonstrating diplomacy and resourcefulness.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Journalism, English, Communications, Marketing, or a related field with 8+ years of proposal experience in US Federal Civilian and/or DoD sectors.
- APMP/SMPS certification.
- Understanding of CRM, specifically Salesforce experience.
Additional Information:
- US Citizenship is required due to the nature of the work.
- Relocation assistance and per diem are not offered.
- All new employees must attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding.
- Compensation: USD $85,000 - $110,000 annually, based on qualifications and location.
About AECOM (Continued):
AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, paid time off, retirement savings plans, and more. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm with $16.1 billion in FY25 revenue, committed to delivering a better world through innovative and sustainable solutions in water, environment, energy, transportation, and buildings. Learn more at aecom.com.
What makes AECOM a great place to work:
Join a global team that supports your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects that shape the future with cutting-edge technology and expert resources. Benefit from award-winning training programs to enhance technical and leadership skills. AECOM fosters a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration, and community, offering opportunities for growth.
Key skills/competency:
- Proposal Management
- US Federal Proposals
- Business Development
- Capture Strategy
- Technical Writing
- Compliance Management
- Team Leadership
- Client Relations
- Project Management
- Marketing Strategy
Skills & topics
- Proposal Specialist
- Proposal Manager
- US Federal Proposals
- AECOM
- Marketing
- Business Development
- Technical Writing
- Compliance
- Government Contracts
- Infrastructure Consulting
- Houston
- Hybrid
- Salesforce
- APMP
- SMPS
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Microsoft Office
- Leadership
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight your experience with US Federal proposals, leadership, and A/E industry knowledge. Quantify achievements where possible.
- Craft a compelling cover letter: Express your enthusiasm for AECOM's mission and demonstrate how your proposal management skills align with the role's requirements.
- Prepare for interviews: Be ready to discuss your experience leading complex proposals, your approach to compliance, and your leadership style. Research AECOM's recent federal projects.
- Showcase technical proficiency: Be prepared to discuss your experience with proposal software (Adobe Suite, Microsoft Office, collaborative tools) and your understanding of A/E industry proposals.
- Network and research: Understand AECOM's role in delivering a better world and their focus on infrastructure. Mention specific federal sectors or projects that interest you.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is the salary range for the Proposal Specialist IV position at AECOM?
- The offered salary range for this Proposal Specialist IV position at AECOM is $85,000 to $110,000 annually. The final compensation will be determined based on your individual education, qualifications, experience, and work location.
- Does AECOM offer relocation assistance for the Proposal Specialist IV role?
- No, AECOM does not offer relocation assistance or per diem for this Proposal Specialist IV position. Candidates should be prepared to cover these costs themselves.
- Is US Citizenship required for the Proposal Specialist IV position at AECOM?
- Yes, US Citizenship is a requirement for this Proposal Specialist IV position due to the nature of the work involved with US Federal contracts.
- What is the work arrangement for the Proposal Specialist IV role at AECOM?
- This Proposal Specialist IV position is a hybrid role, meaning it includes a combination of both remote and in-office work schedules. Specific days in the office will be determined by your work location and team needs.
- What kind of experience is most valuable for an AECOM Proposal Specialist IV candidate?
- The most valuable experience for an AECOM Proposal Specialist IV candidate includes a strong background in US Federal proposal writing, leadership of complex proposals (especially in the A/E industry), a sharp focus on compliance, and proficiency with proposal development tools and software.
- What are the core responsibilities of a Proposal Specialist IV at AECOM?
- The core responsibilities include leading major federal pursuits from capture to interview stages, developing win strategies, writing proposal content, managing proposal teams, ensuring compliance and quality, and collaborating with various AECOM teams and clients.
- What software and tools should I be familiar with for the AECOM Proposal Specialist IV role?
- You should be proficient in desktop publishing software (like Adobe Creative Suite), graphics programs (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop), word processing (Microsoft Word), spreadsheet management (Excel), presentation software (PowerPoint), and collaborative tools such as Microsoft Teams and SharePoint.
- Can you explain the onboarding process for new AECOM Proposal Specialist IV hires?
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