Sr. Proposal Specialist

OpenGov
parental leave, 401(k)
United States, Illinois, Chicago
Feb 15, 2025
OpenGov is the leader in AI-enabled software for cities, counties, state agencies, and special districts. With a mission to power more effective and accountable government, OpenGov serves more than 2,000 communities across the United States. OpenGov is built exclusively for the unique asset management, permitting and licensing, procurement, tax and revenue, budgeting and planning, and financial management needs of the public sector. The OpenGov platform empowers organizations to operate more efficiently, adapt to change, and strengthen trust in the communities they serve. Learn more or request a demo at opengov.com Job Summary: The Senior Proposal Specialist plays a pivotal role in driving OpenGov's success by managing and optimizing the proposal process to secure high-value opportunities. This role requires advanced expertise in leading the full Request for Proposal (RFP) lifecycle, from qualification to submission, ensuring that proposals align with OpenGov's strategic objectives. The Senior Proposal Specialist serves as a trusted advisor to the Go-To-Market (GTM) team, influencing decision-making and optimizing proposal strategies. Additionally, this position champions continuous improvement initiatives, enhances content management processes, and fosters collaboration across departments to deliver high-quality, compliant, and compelling proposals. Responsibilities: Service as a consultant to the Sales team, providing strategic guidance on which RFx opportunities align with OpenGov's Product-Market Fit (PMF) and Ideal Customer Profile (ICP), while identifying opportunities to optimize win rates. Independently manage multiple high-priority RFx projects, overseeing the entire lifecycle from intake, qualification, proposal development, compliance review, and final submission, ensuring strict adherence to deadlines. Act as the primary liaison between the Proposal Team and key internal stakeholders-including Sales, Solutions Engineers, Product, Legal, and Security-to ensure comprehensive, accurate, and persuasive proposal responses. Lead the enhancement and organization of the RFP Content Library by identifying, updating, and curating content to ensure consistency, accuracy, and ease of access for future proposal development. Analyze contractual documentation and Terms & Conditions included with RFx responses, flagging concerns for review by OpenGov's General Counsel and ensuring full compliance with proposal submission requirements. Identify and implement best practices to improve proposal development workflows, enhance efficiency, and drive continuous improvement initiatives within the Proposal Team. Provide insights through analysis of proposal performance metrics, contributing to strategic GTM initiatives and refining proposal methodologies based on key learnings. Support and guide junior team members, contributing to professional development and fostering a high-performing proposal team culture. Requirements and Preferred Experience: Bachelor's degree required; a Master's in Public Administration is a plus. A minimum of 6 years of experience in proposal development, with a strong preference for experience in government procurement or the public sector. APMP Certification a plus Proven ability to analyze and synthesize complex technical information into clear, compelling, and audience-appropriate content. Expertise in managing multiple proposals simultaneously, prioritizing workloads, and meeting strict deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and analytical skills, with the ability to influence and drive decisions across teams. Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with an aptitude for advising and influencing stakeholders at all levels. High proficiency in Google Drive, Slack, Adobe, MS Word, and MS Excel; experience with proposal automation and content management systems (e.g., Loopio, RFPio, Qvidian) preferred. Ability to adapt to changing priorities, drive innovation, and lead process improvements. High ethical standards, accountability, and a proactive approach to challenges. On target ranges above include base plus a portion of variable compensation that is earned based on company and individual performance. The final compensation will be determined by a number of factors such as qualifications, expertise, and the candidate's geographical location. Why OpenGov? A Mission That Matters At OpenGov, public service is personal. We are passionate about our mission to power more effective and accountable government. Government that operates efficiently, adapts to change, and strengthens public trust. Some people say this is boring. We think it's the core of our democracy. Opportunity to Innovate The next great wave of innovation is unfolding with AI, and it will impact everything-from the way we work to the way governments interact with their residents. Join a trusted team with the passion, technology, and expertise to drive innovation and bring AI to local government. We've touched 2,000 communities so far, and we're just getting started. A Team of Passionate, Driven People This isn't your typical 9-to-5 job; we operate in a fast-paced, results-driven environment where impact matters more than simply clocking in and out. Our global team of 800+ employees is united in our commitment to challenge the status quo. OpenGov is headquartered in San Francisco and has offices in Atlanta, Boston, Buenos Aires, Chicago, Dubuque, Plano, and Pune. A Place to Make Your Mark We pride ourselves on our performance-based culture, where every employee is encouraged to jump in head-first and take action to help us improve. If you have a great idea, we want to hear it. Excellent performance is recognized and rewarded, and we love to promote from within. Benefits That Work for You Enjoy an award-winning workplace with the benefits to match, including: - Comprehensive healthcare options for individuals and families. - Flexible vacation policy and paid company holidays - 401(k) with company match - Paid parental leave, wellness stipends, and HSA contributions - Professional development and growth opportunities - A collaborative office environment with weekly catered lunches