[Hiring] Senior Proposal Writer @Health Care Service Corporation

Role Description

This position is responsible for writing and leading the activities associated with large, national Request for Proposals (RFPs) by producing the highest quality proposals for new and existing business opportunities, while remaining consistent with the Company’s policies, procedures and philosophies – all under strict deadlines.

• Collaborates with HCSC Sales and Account Management and other internal departments to map proposal strategy that promotes HCSC’s competitive positioning in the marketplace.
• Participate in the activities involved in the resolution of issues or concerns associated with the RFP process ensuring follow-through to resolution.
• Coordinate assigned projects independently and with strict adherence to detailed customer specifications.
• Assist internal departments in creating additional documents, including pricing proposals, standard program proposals and ad hoc documents when needed to support the sales cycle.
• Develop and maintain proposal-ready response information materials to utilize as a reference tool to complete future proposals or internal requests.
• Analyze the RFP in its entirety to interpret requirements, SOW, terms and conditions, definitions, and submission instructions.
• Partner with Sales and Account Management, Underwriting and stakeholders to determine sales goals, competitive positioning, messaging and proposal strategy.
• Write, edit, organize and package responses to Requests for Proposal, in compliance with detailed client requirements on stringent deadlines to ensure Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s qualification in bid process.
• Proofread proposals for content, grammar, style, formatting.
• Work in Responsive platform and master documents, templates or online tools, adhering to all RFP requirements.
• Assist sales and account management staff with questions regarding our products, processes and administrative policies.
• Keep abreast of program, technical, product and service enhancements or changes.
• Maintain knowledge of all product lines and services.
• Lead or participate in problem resolution or issues involving RFP’s and the RFP process.
• Interview and gather information from subject matter experts to ensure response accuracy and completeness.
• Provide ongoing writing and draft review support to ensure high-quality content for proposals and sales presentations throughout the sales cycle.
• Contribute and maintain content for Responsive library and templates to improve language and streamline the proposal process.
• Write and edit core proposal content that aligns with proposal strategy and based on key selling strategies, client hot buttons, and any other client-specific information.
• Contribute to creating and distributing information on improving processes in proposal cycle to proposal group and pertinent staff.
• Ability to conceptualize content and gather information and key messages to convey complex information in a clear, concise, and persuasive manner.
• Quality assurance. Review and edit proposals for clarity, accuracy, and compliance to ensure proposal quality before submission.
• Interact with a variety of people in all areas of the organization, from technical staff to executive staff.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Mentor, train, and assist junior Proposal Writers.
• Communicate and interact effectively and professionally with co-workers, management, customers, etc.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, English, Journalism or related field and 5 years of proposal management experience specifically in the national/major or public sector OR 9 years of proposal writing/management experience specifically in the national/major or public sector.
• Demonstrated experience in leading high-profile, highly complex RFPs for large, national employer groups.
• Must be proficient in quickly reviewing and analyzing proposal solicitations and related documents to pull out all pertinent information.
• Demonstrated experience autonomously leading and developing highly customized proposal responses tailored to the client.
• Conceptualize content, gather information/data, key messages, positioning and articulate in a single tone and consistent tense.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral) with ability to interface and work effectively as part of a team and cross-functionally.
• Demonstrated ability to autonomously lead the proposal process from beginning to end, while working multiple RFPs/projects simultaneously.
• PC skills and experience in Microsoft products.
• Verbal and written communication skills to complete Response for Proposals, coordinate activities with many departments, and incorporate layman terms in the proposal.
• Demonstrated project management, organizing, planning and scheduling.
• Demonstrated creative and business writing skills.

Requirements

• Strong end-to-end proposal management experience, including coordinating cross-functional teams.
• Experience and skills with proposal management and automation software such as Responsive, Loopio, and Qvidian.
• Extensive proposal writing experience in healthcare, such as health plans, PBM, related industries.
• APMP certification.

Benefits

• Health and wellness benefits.
• 401(k) savings plan.
• Pension plan.
• Paid time off.
• Paid parental leave.
• Disability insurance.
• Supplemental life insurance.
• Employee assistance program.
• Paid holidays.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Other incentives.