Pursuit Strategist

Job Description

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If you think your skills, experience and aspirations make you a good match for this position, we encourage you to apply. This position may be filled anywhere in the United States. Our regional offices include: Western Region (Irvine, Los Angeles, San Diego, Portland and Seattle), Great Lakes Region (Buffalo, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Toronto), Central Region (Dallas, Denver, Houston, and St. Louis), or Eastern Region (Arlington, Baltimore, Boston, and New York City). Preference may be given to candidates that can work in any of our US offices.

As part of the application process, candidates should show us their creativity and ability to influence and bring strategy to life through visual and verbal storytelling. Please redact proprietary/confidential information as needed. Note: We acknowledge that developing these items is highly collaborative. That said, we’re looking for examples where you had a primary role in their creation. You’ll be given time to present your work during the interview — we’re interested in “how” you present your work, too.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Step into a role where ambition meets impact and innovation drives opportunity. We’re seeking a creative problem solver to work alongside firm leaders to influence strategy and drive success. This role is ideal for those who play to win, are excited by a challenge and excel at drawing insights that others might overlook.

We work in high-pressure environments, but we’ve cultivated a close-knit community built on shared knowledge, best practices and mutual support. Your drive, diligence and inquisitive nature will be key to challenging pursuit teams to deliver transformative results.

As a Pursuit Strategist, you’ll be part of our Brand, Marketing and Business Development (BMBD) team, reporting to our National Marketing Pursuits Leader and collaborating closely with the entire marketing team, as well as business developers, graphic designers, and market and client leaders throughout the firm. Success in this role will require the ability to transform raw information into meaningful narratives that inform decision-making and inspire action. You’ll need creativity, strong writing skills and a collaborative spirit to bring ideas to life alongside our talented team. And you’ll be called upon to translate your strategic marketing instincts and talents to serve multiple areas of expertise housed within the firm.

HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL DO

Strategic Proposal Marketing

Lead strategy development for our firm’s most significant and complex project pursuits. During early phases of the Strategic Pursuit Process, you’ll develop an overall action plan that includes profiles of decision-makers and influencers, a competitor analysis, a SWOT analysis and comprehensive market research, all of which you’ll use to develop insights that inform our strategy.

Partner closely with the Opportunity Leader to develop a project-specific win plan (client issues, features, benefits and proof statements), strategic teaming plan and spearhead the preliminary go/no go and strategy review. Lead the effective facilitation of strategy sessions/workshops to develop a pursuit strategy targeted to the client’s needs. Drive an established agenda, guide the creative brainstorming process, challenge and test ideas, develop action items and assignments, and synthesize the intelligence, outcomes and next steps of these sessions.

Ensure the greatest possibility of success by supporting compliance, readability and messaging of pursuit-related materials. Collaborate with opportunity leaders and marketing leads to organize and determine the objectives of strategy sessions/workshops according to our strategic pursuit process. Identify and engage local, regional and firm resources to support the win-planning process.

Partner with pursuit teams to develop and implement differentiators, value propositions, key messages, project approaches and successful interview presentations. Partner with the proposal content team, subject matter experts and our BMBD team to ensure messaging is translated into a compelling narrative with graphics that provide visual storytelling that reinforces and amplifies our pursuit theme throughout the proposal.

Serve as a presentation rehearsal coach and facilitator to organize and prepare teams for client presentations and interviews. Participate in win/loss debriefs and identify and leverage lessons learned to inform future pursuits. Coach and mentor Marketing Specialists and Senior Marketing Specialists across the region in proposal strategy and strategic storytelling.

Firm Knowledge & Subject Matter Expertise

Develop strong, in-depth knowledge of the firm’s portfolio and personnel and brand (how we express ourselves visually and verbally) to connect with clients and differentiate ourselves in the marketplace. Develop subject matter expertise (across markets, typologies, services, technology or other) that adds value to our marketing initiatives and pursuit activities.

Management & Operations

Work with our National Marketing Pursuits Leader and Regional Marketing Team Leaders to train and develop our Senior/Marketing Specialists. Provide peer review and oversight for accuracy and quality of content. Self-review all work for accuracy and quality of content.

Other

Up to 25% travel expected. May participate in external marketing activities.

HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL NEED

Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, communications or a related field required. Minimum of 8 years of related work experience required. Related experience working in a proposal management role influencing strategy and content for a professional services firm required. Related experience working in the Architecture, Engineering and/or Construction industry preferred.

Strong proficiency with InDesign, Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Familiarity with Deltek CRM Vision, Salesforce and Miro is a plus.

Core Competencies

• Strategic thinker able to translate ideas into plans, goals and role assignments with measures to ensure implementation.
• Enthusiasm for working as part of a driven and disciplined team, with a motivation to overcome hurdles and obstacles to find solutions