As a proposal manager, articulating the complex interplay of strategic planning, team coordination, and timeline management on your resume can be a daunting task. Our guide walks you through tailoring your experiences into compelling bullet points, ensuring your unique skill set shines through to potential employers.
- Sample industry-leading professional resumes for inspiration and proposal manager resume-writing know-how.
- Focus recruiters' attention on what matters most - your unique experience, achievements, and skills.
- Write various resume sections to ensure you meet at least 95% of all job requirements.
- Balance your proposal manager technical expertise with personality to stand out amongst candidates.
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The importance of format and layout in your proposal manager resume
Consider you're an HR professional at company X, evaluating two proposal manager candidate resumes. John Smith presents a simple, traditional, and easy-to-read resume. Edward Price, however, uses a non-conventional, often illegible format. Whose resume would you spend more time on to understand their experience? This scenario underscores the importance of your proposal manager resume’s design. It should be simply formatted and clearly communicate why you are the ideal candidate for the role.
Achieve this balance by:
- Listing your experience, beginning with the most recent and relevant, in reverse chronological order;
- Ensuring your header contains essential information, such as contact details, a headline, and a portfolio link. Include a professional photo in the proposal manager resume header if you have one;
- Including only the most important and relevant resume sections to showcase your expertise and stand out from other candidates;
- Editing your proposal manager resume to be no longer than two pages if you have extensive relevant experience. Use your limited resume space judiciously.
Also, remember that your proposal manager resume might initially be scanned by an Applicant Tracker System (ATS).
When it comes to ATS:
- Opt for simple and legible fonts like Raleway, Rubik, Lato, etc., making your experience easy for the ATS to scan;
- Use serif and sans-serif fonts, both of which are ATS-friendly;
- Avoid overused options like Arial and Times New Roman, which, while suitable, may lack personality.
Contrary to a common myth, our recent study shows that the ATS can effectively process both one-column and two-column resumes. Learn more about this in the ATS myths guide.
Finally, when submitting your proposal manager resume, always export it as a PDF to ensure all information remains intact, making the document easier to print, read, and scan.
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Don't forget to include these six sections on your proposal manager resume:
- Header and summary for your contact details and to highlight your alignment with the proposal manager job you're applying for
- Experience section to get into specific technologies you're apt at using and personal skills to deliver successful results
- Skills section to further highlight how your profile matches the job requirements
- Education section to provide your academic background
- Achievements to mention any career highlights that may be impressive, or that you might have missed so far in other resume sections
What recruiters want to see on your resume:
- Demonstrated experience in managing and coordinating complex proposals from initiation to submission.
- Proven track record of successful proposal submissions resulting in awarded contracts.
- Expertise in analyzing RFPs, RFIs, and RFQs to create tailored, compelling responses.
- Strong project management skills with the ability to lead cross-functional teams in a deadline-driven environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with attention to detail and the ability to convey complex information clearly and persuasively.
Adding your relevant experience to your proposal manager resume
If you're looking for a way to show recruiters that your expertise is credible, look no further than the resume experience section.
Your proposal manager resume experience can be best curated in a structured, bulleted list detailing the particulars of your career:
- Always integrate metrics of success - what did you actually achieve in the role?
- Scan the proposal manager advert for your dream role in search of keywords in the job requirements - feature those all through your past/current experience;
- Dedicate a bullet (or two) to spotlight your technical capabilities and how you're able to use the particular software/technology in your day-to-day roles;
- Write simple by including your responsibility, a job advert keyword or skill, and a tangible outcome of your success;
- Use the experience section to also define the unique value of working with you in the form of soft skills, relevant feedback, and the company culture you best thrive in.
Industry leaders always ensure that their resume experience section offers an enticing glimpse at their expertise, while telling a career narrative. Explore these sample proposal manager resumes on how to best create your resume experience section.
- Played a pivotal role in managing the development of proposals, leading to a 20% increase in proposal submission rates.
- Enhanced cross-team collaboration by establishing an agile proposal development process, reducing response times by 30%.
- Spearheaded a strategic review process for proposal content that improved win rates from 15% to 25%.
- Directed a team of 10 proposal specialists, delivering over 45 complex proposals annually with budgets exceeding $5M.
- Implemented a CRM system for tracking proposals, leading to more efficient resource allocation.
- Conducted detailed analysis of RFP requirements to craft compelling narratives that increased client engagement.
- Orchestrated the end-to-end proposal process for major government contracts, influencing over $100M in revenue generation.
- Championed the integration of proposal automation software that improved document consistency and quality control.
- Mentored and trained a diverse team of writers and coordinators, cultivating a culture of continuous improvement.
- Masterminded a restructuration of the proposal creation workflow which enhanced productivity by streamlining proposal team efforts.
- Authored persuasive executive summaries and technical sections that led to a 35% increase in shortlisted proposals.
- Fostered partnerships with SMEs to integrate technical insights into proposals, significantly increasing technical accuracy.
- Executed a complete overhaul of the proposal content library, enabling 50% faster turnaround for RFP responses.
- Pioneered a proposal metrics dashboard to enhance real-time decision-making and track proposal effectiveness.
- Collaborated with sales and technical teams to secure pivotal contracts, yielding a 40% growth in the market share.
- Oversaw proposal strategy for international bids, extending the company's reach into new global markets.
- Initiated and managed a comprehensive training program for all proposal staff, improving the quality of submissions.
- Facilitated effective win theme workshops that resulted in a 10% uptick in win ratio.
- Cultivated a virtual proposal center enabling remote work, increasing staff satisfaction and productivity by 20%.
- Managed the complete redesign of proposal templates and graphics, providing a more compelling look and feel.
- Negotiated with subcontractors for content contributions, enhancing the competitive edge of complex proposals.
- Administered proposal processes and tools, achieving a reduction in effort of over 500 man-hours annually.
- Championed the adherence to compliance checks which led to a flawless audit record.
- Devised and implemented a risk assessment strategy that identified potential pitfalls in proposal submissions.
- Excelled in coordinating with a team to produce high-quality proposals within tight deadlines, never missing a submission date.
- Led the transformation of the proposal development process to introduce a win strategy forum, aligning technical proposals with customer priorities.
- Analytically reviewed competitor proposals to guide strategic positioning, enhancing the firm's market stance.
- Instrumental in securing a landmark $50M contract through meticulous management of proposal submissions.
- Drove innovation by integrating data analytics into proposal review processes, ensuring data-driven decision making.
- Cultivated a comprehensive understanding of complex federal acquisition regulations, positioning the company as a leader in compliant proposal submissions.
Quantifying impact on your resume
- Include the total value of proposals managed to demonstrate financial responsibility and scale of operations.
- List the win rate percentage for proposals overseen to show effectiveness in securing new business.
- Detail the number of proposal team members managed to illustrate leadership and team coordination skills.
- Mention the percentage of proposals delivered ahead of schedule to highlight efficiency and time management.
- Quantify process improvements made in terms of percentage reduction in turnaround time or cost savings.
- State the average size of contracts won to provide context on the complexity and significance of achieved contracts.
- Show the number of cross-departmental collaborations to emphasize teamwork and interdepartmental coordination.
- Indicate the number of strategic relationships developed with stakeholders to underline business development abilities.
Action verbs for your proposal manager resume
Lacking relevant proposal manager resume experience?
Learn how to write your proposal manager resume experience in spite of having no real-world (or applicable) experience for the job.
You should:
- Feature relevant projects or publications that could impress recruiters or showcase that you have the basic skill set for the job
- Shift the focus towards your people (communication, organization, etc.) skills to demonstrate that you're a quick learner and can easily adapt to a new environment
- Use the resume objective to not only highlight your accomplishments but also map out how your career plans are perfectly aligned with the company's vision
- Select either the functional-skill-based resume format (that puts the focus on your skills) or the hybrid one (balancing expertise with skills).
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PRO TIP
If you happen to have some basic certificates, don't invest too much of your proposal manager resume real estate in them. Instead, list them within the skills section or as part of your relevant experience. This way you'd ensure you meet all job requirements while dedicating your certificates to only the most in-demand certification across the industry.
Popular proposal manager hard skills and soft skills for your resume
Apart from assessing your professional expertise, recruiters are on the lookout for whether your skills align with the job.
Your profile would thus be assessed in regard to your:
- Hard or technical skills - your ability to perform on the job using particular technologies or software
- Soft skills - how you adapt, communicate, and thrive in different environments.
Both types of skills - hard and soft skills - are important for your resume, so make sure to create a dedicated skills section that:
- Lists up to five or six skills that align with the job advert.
- Integrates vital keywords for the industry, but also reflects on your personal strengths.
- Builds up further your skills with an achievements section within which you explain what you've achieved thanks to using the particular skill.
- Aims to always quantify in some way how you've used the skill, as it's not enough to just list it.
What are the most sought out hard and soft skills for proposal manager roles?
Check out the industry's top choices with our two dedicated lists below:
Top skills for your proposal manager resume:
Proposal Management Software
Microsoft Office Suite
Adobe Creative Suite
Project Management Tools
Document Management Systems
Cost Estimation Software
CRM Software
Content Management Systems
Data Analysis Tools
Graphic Design Software
Communication
Team Collaboration
Time Management
Problem-Solving
Attention to Detail
Negotiation
Adaptability
Critical Thinking
Organizational Skills
Leadership
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Bold the names of educational institutions and certifying bodies for emphasis.
What are the best certificates to add to your proposal manager resume + how to curate your education section
The education and certification resume sections are the underdogs of your proposal manager resume.
They showcase to recruiters that you've invested plenty of time to gain valuable and specific know-how, vital for growth.
As far as the resume education section is concerned:
- Detail only advanced education, specifying the institution and timeframe.
- Indicate your forthcoming graduation date if you're in the midst of your studies.
- Consider omitting degrees that don't align with the job's requirements.
- Offer a description of your academic journey if it underscores your notable achievements.
When curating your degrees and certificates on your proposal manager resume:
- Select only accreditation that matters to the role
- Niche knowledge that could help you stand out as a candidate (as is within the past few years), should be listed towards the top of your resume
- Include any pertinent data for credibility (e.g. institute name, graduation dates, etc.)
- Irrelevant degrees and certifications shouldn't make it on your resume. Those include your high school diploma and any specializations that have nothing to do with the technical or soft skills that are required for the job
As a final note, if you feel tempted to exclude your education or certification from your resume, don't.
These two sections could help you have a better competitive edge over other candidates - hinting that your professional journey in the industry may be for a longer period of time.
Recruiters find all of these proposal manager credentials impressive:
The top 5 certifications for your proposal manager resume:
- Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP) Foundation Certification - APMP
- Project Management Professional (PMP) - Project Management Institute (PMI)
- Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM) - National Contract Management Association (NCMA)
- Shipley Certified Capture Manager (SCCM) - Shipley Associates
- Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Sales Functional Consultant Associate - Microsoft
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List your educational qualifications and certifications in reverse chronological order.
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Deciding between a resume summary or objective for your proposal manager role
Understanding the distinction between a resume summary and an objective is crucial for your proposal manager resume.
A resume summary, typically three to five sentences long, offers a concise overview of your career. This is the place to showcase your most pertinent experience, key accomplishments, and skills. It's particularly well-suited for those with professional experience relevant to the job requirements.
In contrast, a resume objective focuses on how you can add value to potential employers. It addresses why they should hire you and outlines your career expectations and learning goals. Therefore, it's ideal for candidates with less experience.
In the following section of our guide, explore how resume summaries and objectives differ through some exemplary industry-specific examples.
Resume summaries for a proposal manager job
- Seasoned proposal manager with over 12 years of experience in devising high-value proposals, bringing a track record of securing multi-million-dollar contracts for global tech industries. Excels in streamlining proposal development processes with robust project management skills and CRM systems proficiency. Achieved a 75% win rate on submitted proposals, evidencing a keen strategic approach to winning new business.
- Expert strategic advisor transitioning from 10 years in corporate law to proposal management, equipped with exceptional negotiation abilities and a comprehensive understanding of complex contract requirements. Brings a proven record of identifying and mitigating legal risks, which will be leveraged to create winning proposals while ensuring compliance with international regulations. Adept at fostering client relationships and pivotal in closing high-stake deals.
- Dynamic financial analyst eager to pivot to proposal management, armed with 8 years of quantifiable experience in financial modeling, risk assessment, and market analysis within the banking sector. This foundational expertise provides a unique perspective in financial considerations for proposal development and strategy. Spearheaded a project that resulted in a 30% increase in investment returns, showcasing a talent for impactful execution.
- Ambitious marketing coordinator ready to apply 5 years of experience in content creation, market research, and campaign management to the field of proposal management. Holds a deep understanding of customer engagement strategies and competitive analysis, which will be invaluable in crafting persuasive proposals. Elevated a startup's brand presence, contributing to a 50% growth in their customer base through targeted marketing initiatives.
- As a recent MBA graduate with a specialization in Project Management, I am eager to commence my career in proposal management by applying my comprehensive knowledge of business operations, strategic planning, and team leadership. Highly motivated to harness analytical skills and academic training to effectively contribute to successful proposal outcomes and drive organizational growth.
- Transitioning from nonprofit program coordination, I bring a passion for impactful work and community engagement to proposal management. With no prior experience in this field, I am committed to leveraging my 3 years of adept grant writing, stakeholder communications, and resource optimization to excel in creating compelling proposals and supporting sustainable business development.
Extra sections to include in your proposal manager resume
What should you do if you happen to have some space left on your resume, and want to highlight other aspects of your profile that you deem are relevant to the role? Add to your proposal manager resume some of these personal and professional sections:
- Passions/Interests - to detail how you spend both your personal and professional time, invested in various hobbies;
- Awards - to present those niche accolades that make your experience unique;
- Publications - an excellent choice for professionals, who have just graduated from university or are used to a more academic setting;
- Volunteering - your footprint within your local (or national/international) community.
Key takeaways
- The logic of your resume presentation should follow your career highlights and alignment with the role;
- Curate information within different sections (e.g. summary, experience, etc.) that helps highlight your strengths;
- Exclude from your resume irrelevant experience items - that way you'd ensure it stays no longer than two pages and is easy to read;
- Dedicate space within the summary, experience, and/or achievements to highlight precisely why you're the best candidate for the role via your previous success;
- Both your technical and people capabilities should also play a crucial role in building up your proposal manager application. Prove your skill set in various resume sections.
