Proposal Lead

MSA is seeking a collaborative Proposal Lead to oversee our proposal development program and lead a high‑performing Proposal Team. This role is responsible for managing the full lifecycle of strategic pursuits while ensuring proposals are competitive, compliant, client‑focused, and aligned with MSA’s brand and business goals. The Proposal Lead partners closely with technical staff, client liaisons, company leadership and the broader marketing team to drive a consistent and efficient proposal process that supports growth across the organization.

This role can be based out of our WI, MN or IA offices and we offer a work environment that supports fully onsite, hybrid or remote work (but within driving distance of the office).

At MSA, we believe people are our greatest strength. Our employee‑owned culture encourages collaboration, innovation, and professional growth while empowering team members to make a meaningful impact on the communities we serve. As a Proposal Lead, you will have the opportunity to shape strategic pursuits, mentor a talented team, and contribute directly to MSA’s continued success.

• 100% employee‑owned firm with 100+ years of community impact
• Collaborative culture with in‑house experts for all disciplines across the firm
• Flexible work‑life integration
• Ongoing learning and professional growth opportunities for all positions
• Commitment to fostering a work environment where employees have a strong sense of inclusion and belonging
• Included on the "ENR Top 500 Design Firms" for over 27 straight years

Proposal Leadership & Strategy

• Lead MSA’s proposal development program and oversee the full lifecycle of strategic pursuits
• Manage multiple concurrent proposals and internal projects while ensuring alignment with pursuit strategy, branding, and company goals
• Oversee proposal pipeline management, workload balancing, and prioritization across the Proposal Team
• Schedule and facilitate go/no‑go meetings for RFPs and RFQs
• Guide proposal strategy, messaging, differentiators, and win themes
• Ensure the development and maintenance of proposal resources, including resumes, project descriptions, templates, and boilerplate content
• Support preparation of client presentations and presentation rehearsals
• Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date proposal materials and information within DAM, ERP, and CRM systems
• Oversee electronic file management processes, naming conventions, and proposal closeout procedures

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, mentor, and support Proposal Team members
• Foster a collaborative and positive team environment that promotes accountability and growth
• Assess team capacity, resource needs, and skill development opportunities to support business growth
• Encourage ongoing training and professional development
• Model MSA’s values and serve as a role model across the organization

Collaboration & Client Focus

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal teams and external clients
• Collaborate with technical staff to gather meaningful proposal content and positioning
• Partner with the Marketing Team to ensure consistency across proposals, collateral, and brand messaging
• Work closely with marketing leadership and client liaisons to prioritize pursuits and allocate resources effectively

Business Performance

• Ensure production of high‑quality, competitive proposals that support revenue growth and client acquisition
• Track proposal metrics and team performance and provide insights and recommendations to leadership
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce proposal cycle times, and strengthen competitiveness

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or a related field, or equivalent experience
• Minimum of five years of experience in marketing, proposal coordination, business development support, or related fields
• Experience with in the architecture/engineering (A/E) industry
• Strong organizational, writing, editing, and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage competing deadlines and priorities in a fast‑paced environment
• Strong leadership, collaboration, and relationship‑building skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office…