Manager - Strategy and Business Development/ Proposal Management

Manager - Strategy and Business Development/ Proposal Management FirstDay Foundation - 3.3 Des Moines, IA Job Details Full-time $95,000 - $110,000 a year 21 hours ago Qualifications Computer operation Microsoft Excel Content editing Bachelor's degree SharePoint Productivity software Project stakeholder communication Stakeholder management Full Job Description It's a great feeling to work for a company that does so much good for others around the world!

Academic Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Communications, or a related field.

Experience Requirements:

Minimum of four years of experience in business development, market research, proposal writing, or a related field. Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint).

Preferred Qualifications:

Four or more years of experience with proposal and/or grant writing, federal and state funding sources, and proposal management software.

Compensation:

$95,000 - $110,000 Summary of the

Position:

The Manager plays a key role in driving the foundation's growth strategy by leading and supporting high-impact business development initiatives across affiliate agencies. This position manages the full proposal lifecycle for grant and contract submissions, conducts proactive market and funding research, and maintains critical business intelligence to support capture planning and strategic-decision making. The SBD Manager collaborates closely with the internal teams and external affiliates to align opportunity pursuits with organizational priorities, ensure timely and compliant submissions, and support long-term positioning in competitive funding environments.

Critical Action Items:

1. Lead cross-functional teams in the preparation, review, and submission of high-quality, compliant proposals to government, philanthropic, and private sector funders. 2. Develop proposal timelines, outlines, compliance matrices, and task assignments; oversee adherence to internal project deadlines. 3. Review and approve final proposal content for clarity, consistency, and alignment with funder requirements. 4. Track and report win/loss rates and conduct post-submission debriefs to improve processes and competitiveness. 5. Collaborate with program, finance, and compliance teams to ensure proposals are technically sound and financially feasible. 6. Conduct market research to identify potential clients, industry trends, and competitors. 7. Provide insights and data analysis to support business development strategies. 8. Lead writing sections of proposals, ensuring document compliance and quality. 9. Format/desktop publish and proofread proposals. 10. Identify and track potential business opportunities through CRM systems and market research. 11. Maintain an updated database of leads, funding opportunities, and key industry contacts. 12. Manage and maintain proposal templates, libraries, and other business development documentation. 13. Ensure all materials are up to date, well-organized, and compliant with best practices. 14. Support the preparation of client presentations and business development materials through data visualization. 15. Assist in developing reports and communications for affiliates regarding business development initiatives.

Measurable Deliverables:

1. Return research requests within 48 hours unless otherwise specified by the requestor. Submit all other work products, including proposals and reports, on or before the established deadlines. 2. Support the weekly presentation of opportunities by compiling relevant market intelligence and insights. 3. Support development of quarterly reports on departmental activities for the Board of Trustees and quarterly snapshots for affiliates, as well as contribute to the annual report with quantitative and qualitative data. 4. Ensure 98% accuracy of data in research reports, proposal documents, and business development tracking systems.

Requirements:

1. Ability to collect, interpret, and present industry and competitor data. 2. Ability to provide direction to project team members. 3. Experience with writing, formatting, and compliance in proposal submissions. 4. Expert level of accuracy in editing, formatting, and compliance verification. 5. Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to engage effectively with stakeholders, partners, and affiliates. 6. Pass a pre-employment drug screen and random drug screens throughout employment. 7. Provide proof of work eligibility status upon request. 8. Pass a pre-employment and biennial criminal background checks, as required. 9. Demonstrate expert computer literacy and proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 applications: OneDrive, SharePoint, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word. 10. Flexibility to travel, work evenings, weekends and holidays as needed or requested by supervisor.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. APMP Certification 2. Shipley Training or similar 3. Microsoft Office and Excel certifications English (United States) If you like to work with people that believe they can make a difference in the world, this is the company for you! EEO Statement In accordance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other applicable federal and state laws (e.g., the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is our policy to provide equal employment opportunity and treat all employees equally regardless of race, religion, national origin, color, sex, or any other classification made unlawful or prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws, such as age, citizenship status, veteran or military status, or disability. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination. Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time. #LI-Business Development #LI-Director #LI-Full-time