Job Details

JOB SUMMARY

We are seeking an experienced Proposal Manager to oversee the full proposal lifecycle, from initial strategy through final submission. The Proposal Manager will work closely with the Director of Marketing and Senior Technical Writer to execute responses to broker requests for proposals (RFP) and finalist meeting activities.

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, organized and able to work in cross-functional teams to deliver consistent, well-structured proposal responses. The Proposal Manager will develop proposal/marketing materials that clearly demonstrate the value proposition of VBA against competitors in the vision insurance market sector.

This role reports to the Director of Marketing. The marketing team is responsible for a broad area of expertise beyond typical marketing functions, including proposals and RFPs. As a member of the marketing team, the Proposal Manager may be required to complete additional marketing assignments as needed to support the department.

Success in this position looks like managing and responding to all proposal requests within the first 60 days and completing all RFP responses within the first 90 days.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Manage the end-to-end proposal process, ensuring all deadlines are met
• Read RFP or RFI documents thoroughly and prepare proposal checklists that list client submission requirements and identify proposal team action items.
• Review and refine proposal materials (e.g., resumes, biographies, templates, RFP library, etc.) for alignment with brand and messaging standards
• Prepares new group and existing group proposals by reading and interpreting data from sales and incorporating requested options into a complied, customized proposal document
• Understands and leverages VBA product knowledge to develop client-focused content for each assigned proposal and RFP
• Serve as a brand, product, content and compliance expert
• Develop finalist presentations to ensure key RFP details are effectively communicated
• Print, assemble and ship proposals and/or prepare electronic submission files as needed
• Create and manage sales enablement resources including pipeline PowerPoint presentations and continuing education courses for brokers and benefits administrators
• Work with the marketing content team to develop high-impact graphics for proposals and presentations
• Perform activities and functions of related lower-level personnel as assigned or required
• On-site notary services and other marketing tasks as required

*The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of this position.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Communications, Professional Writing or related experience

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 5 years of proposal development and RFP experience
• Experience working in the insurance, employee benefits, optical or other highly regulated industries including distribution channel, business to business and direct to consumer marketing
• Advanced with HubSpot, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Adobe Creative Suite and Canva
• Current and active Notary Public preferred, or must be able to obtain and maintain Notary Public certification within three months of start date

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Advanced oral and written communication skills with internal and external clients
• Ability to work independently, determine work priorities, handle multiple tasks simultaneously and meet deadlines
• Ability to handle a large volume of work with conflicting priorities
• Strong organizational and analytical skills with the ability to research, organize, analyze and create meaningful copy with attention to detail, accuracy and compliance
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently to carry out assignments to completion within parameters of instructions given, established timeframes, procedures and accepted standards
• Ability to organize and thoughtfully store company data
• Excellent teamwork and collaboration skills
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of all information and act with utmost integrity in the discreet and proper handling of all confidential and financial information
• Committed to quality, continuous improvement and VBA values
• Must be presently authorized to work in the US without a requirement for work authorization sponsorship by our company for this position now or in the future

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• This is a primarily remote position, with occasional travel to our main office in Carnegie as needed or required. Ability to commute to the office on short notice is required.
• Work is performed in a home office environment and may require:
  • occasionally lifting 0 – 40 pounds.
  • prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions described herein. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

The starting salary range for this position is: $70,000-$80,000/year

Full-time, permanent VBA employees receive an exceptional benefits package including:

• Health and Dental benefits with minimal employee contribution.
• Employer paid Vision, Short Term and Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance benefits. Vision plan offers generous allowances, no copays, and two materials per year for eligible employee and dependents.
• 401k employer matching up to 6% following six months of service, vesting after five years of service.
• Competitive time off and leave package