Associate Manager, Proposal Development

Associate Manager, Proposal Development - Position Description - September 2024

McKinley Advisors is an award-winning association consulting firm providing tailored research and strategy services to solve the unique challenges of mission-driven organizations. The work the McKinley team delivers is consequential. Our clients have a direct impact on society, from improving healthcare outcomes to creating a more sustainable future for our planet and its people. We take that responsibility seriously. 

Our team is composed of amazing individuals, each with a rich and diverse background and all sharing a commitment to deliver exceptional client experiences. McKinley Advisors was recently recognized as one of the “Best Places to Work” by the Washington Business Journal for the third consecutive year.

McKinley provides the option to work in person in our Washington, D.C. office or remotely in approved jurisdictions (please see the list of approved states and jurisdictions).

JOB DESCRIPTION

The associate manager, proposal development position is critical to the continued growth of our business. Working in partnership with colleagues in the business acceleration team (BAT) and across the firm, the associate manager for proposal development utilizes systems like HubSpot and PandaDoc to manage the creation of expertly crafted proposals and related materials. The associate manager leverages our brand to communicate the value of the firm, using high-impact writing and visuals to demonstrate how McKinley Advisors’ customized solutions meet the diverse needs of our association clients and prospects.

The associate proposal development manager is a proactive, adaptable and collaborative professional who is oriented toward high-quality work and client satisfaction. The role is a full-time, exempt position and reports to the Director, Marketing and Business Development. 

Who you are: 

• A creative communicator and proposal developer who leverages written and visual brand assets to convey our value proposition to clients and prospects.
• A well-organized manager who successfully navigates the priorities of cross-functional teams by designing and implementing timelines and project plans.
• A data-driven professional who continuously updates and leverages marketing and business development data to inform actions and pursue business results.
• A respected colleague with a strong track record of consistently delivering excellent results, meeting deadlines and upholding McKinley values.

What this looks like:

• You develop persuasive and impactful materials that ultimately generate business for the firm. Team members seek your support in translating scopes of work into materials that “wow” our clients and prospects. 
• You deftly manage a variety of business development projects and priorities to support our account owners, ensuring internal teams are aligned and informed. You see the end goal and map out the steps and timeline required to arrive there.
• You serve as a primary administrator in our marketing and proposal development systems, owning processes that ensure up-to-date data and market intelligence. When team members need current information on clients and prospects, they turn to you for the latest insights. 
• You model high expectations and performance by persistently creating valuable results for the firm. Colleagues trust your ability to deliver high-quality work and turn to you for business development support. 

WHAT YOU WILL DO 

Proposal Development and Business Content Production (~70%)

• Write, design and produce high-impact proposals for current and prospective clients
• Support the production of client-facing business development materials, including pitch presentations, case studies and other collateral
• Review RFPs and align our approach to ensure compliance with all stated requirements
• Actively maintain a content library, ensuring templates, samples and other assets are up-to-date and reflect current approaches

Proposal Operations and Project Management (~30%)

• Provide expert project management to internal partners, leveraging systems and automation tools to increase efficiencies
• Develop and manage proposal schedules to meet internal and client deadlines
• Research clients and prospects to maintain accurate CRM data that informs marketing and business development efforts
• Draft and deliver contracts, coordinating directly with clients and internal teams as appropriate 

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Proven proposal development experience, 
• Advanced knowledge of effective business development (proposal) writing and visual communication methods.
• Comfort and familiarity with leveraging business and proposal development tools and systems, examples include Hubspot and PandaDoc.
• Proficient working knowledge of Microsoft products (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), Google Suite (Drive, Calendar), and Dropbox
• Attention to detail in managing project timelines, action items and follow-up.
• Comfortable pivoting between multiple online platforms for both communication and tracking of proposal and sales management efforts
• Experience collaboratively working with teams of talented, high-performing individuals, delivering projects in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.
• Preferred but not required - knowledge or experience in B2B or B2G sales environment, ideally within a professional services firm or similar company. 
• Knowledge of associations or similar mission-driven organizations is preferred but not required.

Additional Information

EMPLOYEE VALUE AND COMPENSATION

• Starting range of pay at $60,000 per annum, salary commensurate with experience.See details about the range, further below. 
• McKinley Advisors provides an excellent and comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, 401k match, ancillary benefits, professional development opportunities and generous paid time off benefits. 
• McKinley prides itself on being a highly collaborative and engaged workplace; we believe our people are our greatest assets and are always seeking ways to strengthen our work environment and culture. 

McKinley Advisors Compensation Philosophy: 

• We strive to keep pace with the external marketplace and other similarly-sized professional service firms competing for talent in the Washington, DC metropolitan area by building salary bands around the 50th percent benchmark for similar roles.
• We provide equal opportunity for career and salary advancement for all staff. We ensure that promotions, new hires, or other pay actions appropriately maintain pay equity within all roles.  
• We offer transparency and thoughtful communications at the firm and individual level related to compensation, which enable staff to understand the structure and how their role aligns.

Aligned with our compensation philosophy and DEI practices, our salary range reflects the minimum and maximum pay for both recently hired and long-tenured staff in these positions. A hired candidate should expect to start on the lower end of the range and with opportunities for growth based on performance, skills, experience and tenure. The minimum of the range is $60,000 and typical for a new hire meeting role qualifications. The maximum range is $80,000 which would be typically applied for an extended tenured employee that exceeds qualifications and is highly advanced in skill sets and experience, along with consistently exceeding the expectations of the role. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• McKinley Advisors is a fast-paced, high-energy firm with a highly collaborative and innovative culture. This job will experience high work demands under tight timelines requiring a flexible and adaptable approach to daily priorities. 
• This position is primarily sedentary and there will be long periods in front of the computer, possibly standing and sitting for long periods. 
• Work is conducted in a hybrid environment, with the expectation that the Associate Proposal Development Manager will come to the Washington DC office for in-person staff anchor and retreat days. 

POSITION TYPE

• Full-time, 100% FTE, Exempt

Building a Stronger Us

We are committed to building a work environment that doesn’t just welcome diversity, equity, and inclusion, but celebrates it.

At McKinley our most important value is being human. We put people above everything else and celebrate and support the individuality of our staff.

McKinley provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

All applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.