Senior Proposal Specialist

The Chicago office of SmithGroup is looking for a Senior Proposal Specialist to join our team. This position can be located in either the Madison, Wisconsin or Chicago, Illinois SmithGroup offices. You will enjoy collaboration and camaraderie working with both offices. SmithGroup has been named one of Chicago's Top Workplaces by the Chicago Tribune for three (3) consecutive years!

Working with us, you will:

Proposal and Pursuit Presentations (70%):

• Serve as project manager for the coordination, writing, editing and production of statements of qualifications, proposals, presentations and other marketing collateral. 
• Guide the development and execution of go/no-go decision-making, planning, and win strategies to successfully capture work. 
• Lead pursuit strategy and interview coaching. 
• Develop/maintain sector focused boilerplate to be used as master in proposals. 
• Provide significant support to and/or take ownership of proposal sections of major strategic pursuits.

Messaging & Strategy (25%):

• Serve as the lead regional marketer for a specific market(s). 
• Maintain a deep understanding of the Practice portfolio and expertise along with key trends and drivers impacting the market and translate them into actionable marketing content and win strategies. 
• Partner with the Marketing Strategist to develop market-specific content and collateral for internal and external use. 
• Lead or support key Practice initiatives including thought leadership and events. 
• Lead brand building including the development of key market-level messaging. 
• Assist in capture planning strategy and research.

Information Systems & Administration (5%):

• Update firmwide database with employee, project and proposal information on an ongoing basis. 
• Mentor and/or provides pursuit oversight for more junior staff.

An Ideal Candidate has:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Journalism, Communications, or related field or equivalent experience required. 
• Minimum of 7 years of work experience in the A/E/C industry required. CPSM certification preferred. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and InDesign required. 
• Working knowledge of Deltek Vision and OpenAsset preferred. 
• Advanced knowledge of marketing fundamentals and A/E/C industry terminology. 
• Ability to communicate complex concepts and storytelling in both written and graphic form. 
• The ability to successfully mentor more junior marketing staff on pursuits. 
• Excellent time and project management skills, passion for details and ability to work on multiple assignments simultaneously while maintaining a high level of quality and accuracy. 
• The ability to think creatively and strategically. 
• Advanced technical, graphic, and presentation skills.

SmithGroup offers competitive compensation and an excellent benefit package, including 401(k) and continuing educational reimbursement. We offer 3 weeks of paid time off within the first year of employment, with the option of purchasing additional time off, and pay for 8 federal holidays. We also offer an alternative work schedule that provides employees with an additional 15 days off per year (usually Fridays) to help with work/life balance. We also promote a healthy work/life balance for our staff which includes an alternative work schedule that provides employees with an additional 15 days off per year (usually Fridays), as well as hybrid work options that give our team the flexibility to work within our vibrant office culture or remotely, as needed.