Senior Proposal Specialist

Senior Proposal Specialist

GFT is seeking a Senior Proposal Specialist to join our BD&M team within the Midwest! In this role, you will apply strategic thinking, creative problem-solving, and strong organizational skills to support pursuits for our Transportation, Construction Services, Buildings and Places, and other teams. The position can be based in Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, or Austin, TX!

Preferred experience with TxDOT and major metros (or similar clients)

This role blends proposal leadership, capture planning, interview development, and client service —and offers opportunities to mentor junior staff, contribute to process improvements, and help shape the future of our business development efforts.

What you'll be challenged to do:

The Senior Proposal Specialist manages proposals and presentations, provides capture support, and may assist with client management support. The position supports one or more regional business lines or a global business line.

In this capacity, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

Capture Planning:

• Lead standard- and strategic-level pursuits, driving capture kick-offs, follow-up meetings, and early positioning discussions.
• Conduct research into clients, competitors, and markets to inform win themes and pursuit strategies.
• Draft pre-RFP content to support strategic positioning.
• Determine resource needs for assigned pursuits.
• Collaborate with BD leadership to ensure consistent implementation of best practices.

Proposal Management:

• Lead complex proposals from initial request to final submission.
• Analyze SOQs/RFPs to prepare compliance matrices, schedules, and outlines.
• Facilitate and participate in kick-off meetings, milestone reviews, and client debriefs.
• Develop client-focused proposal sections including cover letters, executive summaries, personnel bios, project descriptions, firm overviews, and subconsultant qualifications.
• Edit technical approaches for narrative clarity, structure, and alignment with visual messaging.
• Partner with graphic designers to develop custom visuals and infographics that reinforce win themes.
• Coordinate and prepare interview teams, including scheduling, content preparation, and rehearsals.
• Track all opportunities and deliverables in CRM.

Client Service Team Support:

• Support Tier I client management activities in collaboration with BD Client Service Leaders; serve as BD Partner for Tier II/III clients.
• Conduct client research (contract awards, budgets, press coverage, events) to inform pursuit strategies.
• Prepare client meeting materials, capabilities briefings, and targeted marketing collateral.

BD Data, Processes & Innovation:

• Participate in or lead working groups focused on improving BD systems, processes, and tools.
• Use approved AI tools for writing, research, and proposal efficiency; collaborate with leadership on new use cases.

Collaboration & Mentorship:

• Manage communications, delegate tasks, and monitor progress to ensure deadlines are met.
• Mentor junior BD staff, providing feedback and coaching to support their professional growth.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive team culture that values quality, consistency, and best practices.

What you will bring to our firm:

• Normally a 4-year degree required in Marketing, Communications, or applicable field is required
• Preferred experience with TxDOT or major metro cities.

What we prefer you bring:

• Minimum of 5 years of combined prior proposal experience is required and preferred in the AEC industry leading, coordinating, planning, and developing proposals and qualifications, including section writing experience.
• Excellent inter-personal and communication skills
• Able to work with some degree of independence to execute proposal lifecycle
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and CRM…