Construction Proposal Operations Manager

Public‑Sector | AEC | Executive‑Level Player‑Coach

This is not a coordinator role.

It’s not a brand‑only marketing position.

And it’s not a hands‑off director seat.

This is an opportunity for a senior AEC proposal leader to own the entire function, partner directly with the President/CEO, and shape how a construction management consultancy wins public‑sector work.

The Opportunity

A well‑established, California‑based construction management firm is hiring a Marketing & Proposal Operations Manager to lead public‑agency pursuits and firm‑wide marketing operations.

This role sits at the executive table, reporting directly to the President/CEO, and carries real authority over pursuit strategy, branding, proposal operations, and infrastructure.

If you’ve spent years winning work at firms where decisions happen multiple layers above you — this is a chance to step into a role with visibility, ownership, and impact.

What You’ll Own

This is a player‑coach role — strategy and execution both matter.

You will:

• Lead RFQs, RFPs, and SOQs for City, County, State, and Federal agencies
• Write and edit executive summaries, win themes, and technical narratives
• Run proposal kickoffs, strategy sessions, and Go/No‑Go reviews with leadership
• Ensure full compliance with public‑agency procurement requirements
• Own and maintain Deltek Vantagepoint CRM, including:
  • Proposal pipeline
  • Client and project history
  • Resume and certification databases
• Ensure proposals are accurate, persuasive, compliant, and on‑brand
• Mentor proposal coordinators and support business development leaders
• Serve as a trusted strategic partner to executive leadership

When deadlines hit, you are comfortable stepping directly into InDesign and proposal production to get it done right.

Who This Role Is For

This role is a strong fit if you:

• Have deep AEC experience (construction management or owner’s‑rep preferred)
• Have personally led winning public‑agency pursuits
• Can confidently advise executives on pursuit risk, strategy, and capacity
• Still enjoy the craft of proposals — writing, storytelling, and production
• Want ownership, not just oversight
• Thrive in a lean, high‑accountability environment

Required Background

• 15+ years total experience in the AEC industry
• 5+ years leading proposal creation and delivery (CM/Owner’s Rep preferred)
• Proven success winning public‑agency RFQs/RFPs/SOQs
• Advanced, hands‑on expertise with:
  • Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign required)
  • Deltek Vantagepoint
• Strong strategic judgment aligning pursuits with business plans and capacity
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Experience collaborating directly with executive leadership
• Bachelor’s degree preferred (exceptional experience may substitute)

Non‑Negotiables

• Primarily in‑office / onsite role in Pasadena, CA
• Deep AEC proposal leadership (not general corporate marketing)
• Hands‑on writer + strategist (true player‑coach)
• Comfortable pushing back in Go/No‑Go decisions
• Willing to operate without large support teams

This Role Is Not a Fit If…

• You don’t do hands‑on proposal work anymore
• You need a coordinator to handle InDesign or production
• Your Background is non‑AEC marketing
• You’re seeking a fully remote role
• You’re anchored solely on title or base salary

Compensation & Work Environment

• Base salary: $120,000 – $140,000
• Bonus potential tied to firm performance
• Full‑time, permanent position
• Office‑based role with standard sedentary demands and occasional travel

What Success Looks Like

• Owning end‑to‑end proposal strategy and execution for public‑agency pursuits
• Establishing best‑in‑class proposal operations, CRM, and resume infrastructure
• Acting as a trusted partner to the President/CEO on pursuit decisions
• Building scalable marketing and proposal systems that support firm growth

If you’re a senior AEC proposal leader who wants real ownership, executive partnership, and the ability to directly influence what a firm wins and why — this role is worth a conversation.

This is a Permanent position based out of Pasadena, CA.

The pay range for this position is $120000.00 - $140000.00/yr.

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401(k), life & LTD insurance, PTO

This is a fully onsite position in Pasadena,CA.

This position is anticipated to close on May 1, 2026.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent
• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we’ve helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.

Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.