Senior Bids & Proposal Manager

Every minute of every day, Smiths Detection’s threat detection and security screening technology helps to protect people and infrastructure, making the world a safer place. 

Smiths Detection, part of Smiths Group is a global leader in the development, manufacture and management of security and detection solutions designed to make the world a safer place. Our technology provides threat detection and screening solutions for customers in our key markets: aviation, ports and borders, defence, and urban security.

Our expertise spans 21 global offices, seven manufacturing sites and five R&D centres, with a global network of 3,000 dedicated colleagues contributing towards over 40 years at the frontline of advances in safety and security.  

This results in careers built on variety and the opportunity to work on a range of state-of-the-art solutions, where you can develop your knowledge and experience every day.

The Proposal Manager will act as the central point of control for major proposal submissions, ensuring that deliverables are compliant, compelling, and submitted on time. This position is highly collaborative, interfacing with Key Account Capture Managers, Sales, Technology, Program Management, Finance, Contracts, and external teaming partners. This role requires deep understanding of government acquisition lifecycles, IDIQ contracts, task orders, and large detection and identification technology programs.
 

Proposal Planning & Strategy

• Analyze RFIs, RFPs, RFQs, BAFOs, and amendments to identify requirements, compliance issues, and risks.
• Develop proposal management plans, including schedules, compliance matrices, annotated outlines, and responsibility assignments.
• Work with Capture Managers to translate win strategies into discriminators, themes, and messaging frameworks, including the development of appropriate Basis of Estimate (BOE).
• Work with Sales Operations Manager and Finance department to develop and implement financial models to prepare the fundamentals of each proposal.
• Establish and enforce color review schedules to maximize quality and alignment with customer evaluation criteria.

Execution & Coordination

• Lead daily proposal stand-up meetings during live bids, ensuring team accountability and progress tracking.
• Coordinate inputs from SMEs, Technology, Contracts, Finance, Product Management, and Subcontractors.
• Act as the liaison to teaming partners: distribute sections, collect input, and integrate partner materials into final proposal volumes.
• Manage proposal version control, ensuring traceability and auditability across drafts.
• Establish coordination and accounting with government solicitation and proposal submission tools & systems

Content Development & Editing

• Draft and edit critical proposal sections, including:
• Executive Summaries (tailored for government evaluators).
• Management Plans (program execution, logistics, subcontracting, risk).
• Past Performance/Experience narratives.
• Staffing/Key Personnel qualifications.
• Compliance Narratives addressing FAR/DFARS and DHS regulations.
• Support Finance and Pricing teams in developing clear cost/price narratives, ensuring alignment between technical and commercial volumes.
• Incorporate compelling visuals, graphics, and data to emphasize discriminators and value propositions in corporation with the Sales Operations Manager

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure strict compliance with FAR, DFARS, DHS procurement rules, TSA technical directives, SSI requirements, and CBP acquisition policies.
• Conduct compliance reviews at each milestone to guarantee all mandatory sections, certifications, and forms are addressed.
• Partner with Contracts and Legal to review terms & conditions, address exceptions, and minimize contractual risk.

Process Improvement & Knowledge Management

• Maintain a centralized content library of reusable proposal material, graphics, and templates.
• Implement best practices in proposal automation, editing, and desktop publishing.
• Conduct after-action reviews (lessons learned) following each submission and track win/loss analysis for continuous improvement.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• On-Time Submissions: 100% compliance with submission deadlines.
• Proposal Compliance Score: ≥95% compliance across mandatory requirements in Pink/Red reviews.
• Win Rate Contribution: Direct impact on achieving target win rates for federal pursuits (e.g., ≥30% for competitive RFPs).
• Other duties as assigned.
• Must travel as needed 5-10% of time

Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Science/Engineering, Communications, or related field

Years of Experience:

• Minimum 7–10 years of experience in federal proposal management for DHS and/or DOD

Additional Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience managing proposals exceeding $50M contract value, preferably with IDIQ/IDIQ Task Orders.
• Expert knowledge of federal acquisition lifecycles, FAR/DFARS, and DHS procurement regulations.
• Strong technical writing, editing, and storytelling skills with ability to “translate engineer to evaluator.”
• Advanced project management skills (scheduling, resource allocation, risk management).
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, SharePoint, and proposal tools (e.g., Privia, Shipley methods).
• APMP Certification (Foundation or Practitioner) strongly preferred.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in CRM software and MS Office Suite.

We offer…

Join us and we’ll help build your career, with excellent training and opportunities for career growth across the business, both locally and globally. You’ll experience an inclusive environment, with strong leadership and a focus on safety and wellbeing. You’ll also have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of benefits to suit your lifestyle, offering you and your family support from a health and wellbeing, financial and lifestyle perspective.

The compensation for this position ranges from $125,229 - 187,843/yr and will vary depending on factors such as your location, skills, job-related knowledge, and experience. The compensation package may also include incentive compensation opportunities in the form of discretionary annual bonus or commissions. Smiths Detection provides comprehensive benefits including healthcare, 401K savings plan, company holidays, vacation, sick time, parental leave and an employee assistance program. Eligibility requirements apply.

Join us and work for a world-leader, with the benefits and training to reward your dedication and skills. Be part of a team where we are making the world a safer place.

Smiths Detection is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. Equal Employment Opportunity PostersIf you’d like to view a copy of the company’s affirmative action plan or policy statement, please email [email protected].

If you have a disability and you believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to submit an online application, please e-mail [email protected]or call toll-free 877-703-1029. This email and phone number is created exclusively to assist disabled job seekers whose disability prevents them from being able to apply online. Only messages left for this purpose will be returned. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or technical issues not related to a disability, will not receive a response. Smiths Detection, Inc. participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program.

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We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Group, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation – including, but not limited to, interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our career’s website (Careers - Smiths Group plc)