Proposals Manager

Overview:

KEO is a creative enterprise, where innovation is a way of life. We are uniquely resourced with end-to-end services to take clients from inspiration – through conceptualization – to realization of planning, design or project delivery in the built and natural environments. For over 60 years we've led with vision, contributing to many of the world's most ambitious projects, iconic places, remarkable experiences and prosperous communities.

As a highly integrated and agile AEP/PMCM firm, KEO is recognized by ENR as one of the Top 225 International Design Firms and one of the Top 20 International PM/CM Firms. We are also ranked by World Architecture as the 57th largest global architecture firm and the #1 Firm in the Middle East Region in their 2024 WA100 Survey.

We invite you to join us. Why?

When you join KEO, you'll discover more than just a job – you'll find a supportive environment that fosters your professional development through internal global mobility and career development and does so within a culture that supports company-wide health and well-being through on-demand counselling services and regular workplace clinics. You will be invited to celebrate community events such as sports days, fun-runs, in-house sports teams and beach clean ups. In addition to your competitive package and benefits you will have access to a suite of policies that include hybrid working arrangements, individual athletic sponsorship, study assistance sponsorship, employee referral rewards, mentoring and coaching programs and extensive in-house on demand learning courses.

Responsibilities:

Proposal Strategy & Execution

Managing the end-to-end proposal process for RFPs, RFQs, and design competitions.

Collaborating with architects, marketing, and leadership to craft tailored responses.

Developing proposal schedules, assigning tasks, and ensuring timely delivery.

Content Development

Writing, editing, and formatting proposal content including project narratives, team bios, and methodologies.

Maintaining and updating a library of boilerplate content, resumes, and project sheets.

Design & Presentation

Ensuring proposals are visually compelling and aligned with brand standards.

Coordinating with graphic designers or using InDesign/PowerPoint to produce polished deliverables.

Market Intelligence

Monitoring bid portals and industry news for upcoming opportunities.

Analyzing win/loss trends and providing insights to improve future submissions.

Collaboration & Communication

Facilitating proposal kickoff meetings and debriefs.

Liaising with consultants and partners for joint submissions.

Proposal Development & Writing

Crafting persuasive, client-focused proposal narratives.

Translating technical architectural concepts into accessible language.

Editing and proofreading for clarity, tone, and impact.

Data & Content Management

Managing complex MS Excel proposal forms.

Updating and organizing a library of resumes, project sheets, and boilerplate content.

Archiving and retrieving past proposals for reference and reuse.

Visual Communication

Using layout and design tools (e.g., Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, PowerPoint) to create proposal materials.

Creating visually compelling documents that align with brand identity.

Applying graphic standards and presentation aesthetics effectively.

Industry Knowledge

Understanding architectural or engineering terminology, project phases, and design processes.

Navigating procurement procedures, especially RFP/RFQ formats in public and private sectors.

Project Coordination

Organizing multiple concurrent proposals efficiently.

Coordinating with multidisciplinary teams including architects, engineers, and consultants.

Managing proposal timelines, deliverables, and submission logistics.

Research & Strategy

Identifying and evaluating new business opportunities.

Analyzing client needs and tailoring proposals accordingly.

Conducting competitive analysis to position the firm effectively.

Client & Team Engagement

Collaborating with internal teams and external partners using strong interpersonal skills.

Representing the firm professionally in pre-proposal meetings and debriefs.

Presenting proposal strategies confidently to leadership.

Qualifications:

What we are looking for is:

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Marketing, Business, Communications, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in proposal management, preferably in architecture, engineering, or construction.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (especially Excel), Adobe InDesign
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and work under pressure.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative mindset.
• Proficient in working with complicated and detailed MS Excel Financial files.
• MS Word: Proficient in Word Processing and formatting visually appealing proposals using MS Word.