Our Sales Operations career path is your opportunity to help Jacobs win work so we can tackle our clients' challenges and lay the foundation for human progress. In this position you will support a variety of sales and business development assignments, ranging from positioning to highly strategic proposals and qualification statements. All members of our Canada-Northeast Geographic Sales Operations (GSO) team are expected to be self-starters who possess excellent oral and written communication skills and effective listening skills; develop creative solutions to tackle challenges; are team players ready to support each other; and have a vested interest in Jacobs' success.
Main Duties & Responsibilities
Each day will present different activities and opportunities as you help position Jacobs for success in our sales efforts. Our Proposal Editor/Writer will be responsible for writing sections and/or editing proposals led by others (proofreading, copy edits, and/or full content edits) as well as managing small to medium-sized efforts when capacity allows. This role includes the following general activities:
Writer/Editor
Independently lead the writing, editing/tailoring, and research for sections on complex, strategic pursuits, or to independently work with capture teams on small to medium-sized proposals
Serve as the section lead for strategic proposals, with overall responsibility for the quality and content of section(s)
Ensure compliance in all work; proactively identify, communicate, and mitigate potential issues/variances
May participate in pursuit win strategy development process, kick-off meetings, storyboard/strategy sessions, and other milestone meetings, throughout Middle Game and End Game as appropriate
May partner with CAM, Account Strategist, or Sales Operations staff to drive and lead proposals, qualification statements, and presentations
Proposal Management
Lead the End Game coordination and preparation of proposals of all sizes independently, working directly with technical staff; may support large, strategic opportunities, working under the guidance of senior Sales staff
Lead and/or support planning and development of small to mid-sized presentations and interviews
Coordinate, write, edit/tailor, and perform research for non-technical proposal sections with no supervision; ensure compliance; proactively identify, communicate, and mitigate potential issues/variances
Participate in kick-off meetings and other milestone meetings, as appropriate
Participate in opportunity planning/Middle Game activities as required
Develop knowledge of Jacobs' Markets and suggest teaming partners/subconsultants, as well as qualified Jacobs staff during kickoff/strategy sessions and organization chart development
General to Both Functions
Possess detailed understanding of business objectives, priorities, and sales strategy, especially as they relate to the proposal process
Actively apply Sales Operations procedures, policies, protocols, and best practices, including standard file management and archiving procedures, as well as Branding Guidelines
Employ and populate/update (as appropriate) business development-related tools and databases
Foster strong, mutually beneficial working relationships with Operations, other Sales Operations staff, Creative Solutions, Geographic Sales, Global Integrated Delivery (GID), and Sales Enablement teams both locally and across the network
May coach and mentor junior staff within Sales Operations
In addition, this role will be expected to demonstrate the following progressive skills in Leadership, Sales Strategy, Sales Functions and Processes, and Jacobs/Industry Acumen
Other Job Specifications and Expectations
In addition, Proposal Managers are expected to demonstrate the following progressive skills in leadership, sales strategy, sales functions and processes, and Jacobs/industry acumen:
Leadership
Provide direction to graphic designers, publishing technicians, other editors, translators, reprographics specialists, and other support staff, as appropriate; independently coordinate with and collect information from internal and external (i.e., teaming partners and subconsultants) sources
Manage own contributions or proposal team, monitoring progress and adherence to proposal schedule
Solve issues independently; identify and implement creative solutions to challenges; escalate to leadership as necessary
Guide, influence, and convince others with advanced communication and negotiation skills
Share best practices and lessons learned to improve or streamline processes, procedures, and tools/databases
Sales Strategy
Lead a variety of business development assignments, ranging from managing proposals and qualification statements, as well as edit or tailor sections for large, strategic, complex efforts
Lead variety of sales/business development writing and editing assignments, supporting qualification statements to highly strategic, large, and complex proposals and presentations
Serve as a section lead or in key support role for the largest and most strategic, complex efforts in partnership with other Sales Operations staff
Support the pursuit team to refine and integrate pursuit strategy/win themes in proposal documents
Apply sophisticated analytical thought to develop strategies, win themes, and solutions to challenges
Seek opportunities to enhance company image/brand on proposals and presentations
Ensure quality control, promote breakthrough technologies, and drive best practice initiatives
Sales Functions and Processes
Demonstrate advanced oral and written communication skills; possess effective active listening skills
Understand the proposal development and review process
Understand proposal time commitments and time management
Write and update project descriptions/summaries, qualifications, success stories, and lessons learned, as well as resumes and other documents independently
Present suggestions to leadership for improvements/additions and lessons learned to streamline processes, procedures, and tools/databases
Provide QA/QC check of assigned work for self
BS/BA degree, or equivalent
At least eight (8) years of experience in proposal management/coordination, ideally in the Architectural, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry and with demonstrated experience in the transportation, water, and/or architecture, interiors, planning and urban design markets.
Be conversant in objectives and services provided
Understand how personal efforts help achieve Jacobs goals
Safeguard, and implement company image/branding on all proposal assignments
Understand basic company risk evaluation processes
Follow health/safety and ethical policies, procedures, and guidelines; and escalate issues as appropriate
Candidates in other US locations are welcome to apply.
Jacobs is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, medical condition, marital or domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression and transgender status, mental disability or physical disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, citizenship, low-income status or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable law. Learn more about your rights under Federal EEO laws and supplemental language.