About Agile Defense
At Agile Defense we know that action defines the outcome and new challenges require new solutions. That’s why we always look to the future and embrace change with an unmovable spirit and the courage to build for what comes next.
Our vision is to bring adaptive innovation to support our nation's most important missions through the seamless integration of advanced technologies, elite minds, and unparalleled agility—leveraging a foundation of speed, flexibility, and ingenuity to strengthen and protect our nation’s vital interests.
Senior Proposal Manager
Location: McLean, VA - Hybrid (will consider fully remote based on seniority of candidate)
Requisition #: 1409
Why This Role Matters
We’re seeking an experienced, strategic, and mission-driven Senior Proposal Manager to lead the development of high-impact federal proposals. In this role, you’ll drive the end-to-end proposal lifecycle—from refining win strategies to delivering compelling, compliant submissions—and serve as a critical leader within our Growth team. This is an opportunity to influence strategic outcomes, grow professionally, and contribute directly to organizational success.
What You’ll Do
As a Senior Proposal Manager, you will:
Lead & Deliver Winning Proposals
Lead the development of complex, strategic written and oral proposals in response to federal RFPs.
Build proposal plans, compliance matrices, schedules, themes, and win strategies that align with business priorities and solicitation requirements.
Own proposal compliance and delivery—ensuring all volumes (technical, cost, management, etc.) are complete, compelling, and submitted on time.
Lead the proposal design and development process from pre-proposal phase through post-proposal submittal phases.
Collaborate & Influence Cross-Functionally
Partner closely with capture managers, subject matter experts, pricing teams, graphic designers, and senior leadership to drive alignment and quality.
Guide proposal development from kick-off through final submission, including structured reviews (e.g., color teams) and iterative content refinement.
Coach contributors for persuasive writing and presentations.
Lead & Mentor Teams
Mentor and coach proposal professionals and contributors, fostering a high-performing, collaborative team environment.
Lead structured production meetings and maintain proposal artifacts in SharePoint, Teams, or other collaboration platforms.
Continuous Improvement & Organizational Impact
Lead post-submission debriefs to capture lessons learned and refine processes for future wins.
Serve as a recognized subject matter expert on proposal best practices, tools, and methodologies.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree in a business, communication, or related technical area
12+ years of proven experience in FAR-based Federal proposals.
Evidence of a successful track record leading proposals valued at more than $100 million for a single award.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong organizational and time-management abilities.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe, and proposal management tools.
Desirable Qualifications
Experience with video, live orals, and/or demonstration proposals.
Professional certifications in proposal management and/or project management.
Experience in a similar industry or with complex technical proposals.
Familiarity with government contracting processes.
Demonstrated success in winning competitive proposals.
What We Offer
Competitive compensation and performance-based incentives.
Professional growth and leadership development opportunities.
Collaborative culture with mission-focused teams.
Comprehensive benefits package (health, retirement, PTO).
Our Core Values
Employees of Agile Defense are our number one priority, and the importance we place on our culture here is fundamental. Our culture is alive and evolving, but it always stays true to its roots. Here, you are valued as a family member, and we believe that we can accomplish great things together. Agile Defense has been highly successful in the past few years due to our employees and the culture we create together.
What makes us Agile? We call it the 6Hs, the values that define our culture and guide everything we do. Together, these values infuse vibrancy, integrity, and a tireless work ethic into advancing the most important national security and critical civilian missions. It's how we show up every day. It's who we are.
- Happy - Be Infectious. Happiness multiplies and creates a positive and connected environment where motivation and satisfaction have an outsized effect on everything we do.
- Helpful - Be Supportive. Being helpful is the foundation of teamwork, resulting in a supportive atmosphere where collaboration flourishes, and collective success is celebrated.
- Honest - Be Trustworthy. Honesty serves as our compass, ensuring transparent communication and ethical conduct, essential to who we are and the complex domains we support.
- Humble - Be Grounded. Success is not achieved alone, humility ensures a culture of mutual respect, encouraging open communication, and a willingness to learn from one another and take on any task.
- Hungry - Be Eager. Our hunger for excellence drives an insatiable appetite for innovation and continuous improvement, propelling us forward in the face of new and unprecedented challenges.
- Hustle - Be Driven. Hustle is reflected in our relentless work ethic, where we are each committed to going above and beyond to advance the mission and achieve success.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
