Proposal Specialist

We are seeking a Proposal Specialist to own our proposal and RFP processes end-to-end, helping us win bids and close opportunities through clear strategy and strong writing. In this role, you’ll turn inputs from our Business Development and Client Success teams into persuasive, well-structured proposals that are confident, on-brand, and clearly position Speak as the best fit. If you’re an exceptional writer with a ruthless editing standard (the kind of person who actually enjoys making messy ideas crisp), we’d love to meet you.

In-office at our Nashville or Memphis locations (For the right candidate, the position may be available as a remote option.)

• Exceptional writing skills with a sharp, confident voice and the ability to adapt tone for different audiences and industries
• A ruthless editing standard to ensure clarity, structure, flow, and technical accuracy (allergic to fluff, filler, and any mention of "synergy")
• 3+ years of relevant experience in an agency environment or closely connected role (proposal writing, grant writing, technical writing, procurement, or similar).
• Experience with proposals, bids, and/or RFP responses and a strong ability to interpret requirements and build compliant, persuasive responses
• Strong project management instincts with the ability to manage timelines, internal deadlines, feedback, and stakeholder coordination
• Confidence interviewing internal stakeholders (design, development, strategy, sales) and turning their knowledge into client-ready language
• Solid understanding of common agency services (websites, integrated marketing, paid media, branding/design) in order to write accurately and ask smart questions
• Proficiency in Google Workspace/Drive
  , and comfort working in systems like Salesforce, Slack, and Zoom (and learning new tools quickly)

• An end-to-end owner who runs the entire proposal process from intake to drafting, reviews, final assembly, and (in some cases) submission
• A strategic storyteller who can position our approach and differentiators in a way that's persuasive, structured, and grounded in how we actually work
• A strong collaborator who works smoothly with Business Development, Client Success, and our delivery teams to gather data (requirements, estimates, technical details, etc.) and keep things moving
• An organizer who keeps a library of proposal assets (case studies, boilerplate, team bios, templates, past responses) clean, current, and easy to use
• Someone who enjoys variety and can translate our brand across several written mediums (RFP responses, tailored inbound proposals, renewals/retainers) and across each of our key industries (Arts & Culture, Education, Nonprofits, Tourism, and Ambitious Brands)
• A quality-first mindset focused on better proposals and higher win rates through repeatable processes and a desire to continuously get better

We focus on providing outstanding work to our clients and taking exceptional care of each other. Here are a few of the ways we do just that.

We work hard during business hours (M-Th 7a-5p and F 7a-11a…yes, every Friday is a half-day!) and go home at the close of business hours. Rarely, if ever, do we find ourselves staying late or working weekends. Working smarter has its perks!

We want every person at Speak to play a part in shaping our future. Your ideas matter, and we believe that each person brings something uniquely creative and important to the table. If there's an issue, we tackle it together. If there's an idea, we develop it together. We meet regularly for fun and creative team building.

We are balanced. We focus on people first - our team and our clients. We work hard toward creating movement for our clients and getting the job done, right on time and on budget. Not only that, but we genuinely call each other friends, and value learning and personal growth on the job.

Speak has a long track record of profitability and is debt-free. Plus, the company owned by one individual, so we don't worry about partners who split.

Our incredible client roster covers many major industries and cities, and they range from local, high-impact organizations to Fortune 500 companies and everywhere in between.