[Hiring] Business Development & Proposal Manager @GFT

Role Description

GFT is seeking a Business Development & Proposal Manager to join our West Team in either NorCal, SoCal, Washington or Arizona! This role follows a remote work model and must have experience with Transportation clients in the state of California.

At GFT, we’re not just pursuing projects—we’re strategically capturing opportunities that shape our communities. The Strategic Growth Office is the engine behind GFT’s enterprise-wide growth. It fuels our most significant pursuits by aligning talent, insights, and strategy to win complex, high-impact projects. From vision through delivery, we partner across all Business Groups to develop compelling, competitive proposals that reflect our core values and technical excellence.

The BD & Proposal Manager is a senior position that supports either multiple regional business lines or one Global Business Line and contributes to meeting the goals in GFT's strategic plan by leading key business development support efforts. Responsibilities include:

• May manage one or more assistant proposal specialists/proposal specialists on a day-to-day basis.
• May manage and/or assist Business Development Manager or Leader with proposal workload and resourcing for regional or global business development team.
• May serve as timesheet approver, perform Performance Evaluation Reviews (PER), and recommend training for staff.
• Responsible for managing proposals and assuring the capture strategy is defined and transitioned to the proposal strategy.
• Leads multiple large, long-term and complex pursuits concurrently.
• Responsible for leading interview development and working closely with Manager for input and oversight.
• Proactively identifies opportunities in the pipeline and initiates capture planning support efforts.
• Develops client and teaming relationships at the direction of the client or capture managers.

Qualifications

• Normally a 4-year degree required in English, marketing, journalism, communications, or applicable field.
• Must have the requisite experience in California.
• Normally 10+ years of total combined experience in the full lifecycle of business development.
• Minimum of 3 years of demonstrated experience supporting, facilitating, and participating in capture planning support.
• Demonstrated success in taking opportunities successfully from capture support through all phases of proposal management responsibilities.
• Minimum of 5 years of demonstrated increasing responsibility in the business development lifecycle phases.
• At least 2 years of experience supervising staff (if applicable).
• Certification or training in business development, marketing, communications, or sales is highly desirable.

Requirements

• Experience with Transportation clients in California.
• Ability to manage multiple opportunities concurrently.
• Flexibility within the framework of best practices.
• Keep all CRM documentation updated.
• Coordinate with respective MARCOM staff for strategic plan recommendations.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance.
• Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
• Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
• Commitment to professional development and access to training programs.
• Incentive compensation for eligible positions.

Company Description

At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships – that’s why we’re the employer of choice for 5,000+ of the industry’s brightest engineers, planners, architects, inspectors, designers, and more.

Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Together we’re building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives.