Reports to: EVP of Growth and Marketing

Who We Are

D&A Communications is a San Francisco–based, equity-first agency with over 30 years of experience advancing inclusive, community-centered strategies. We are culturally fluent storytellers who integrate public relations, creative services, and public engagement to deliver transformative communication programs for clients in both the public and private sectors—including government agencies, nonprofits, and mission-driven companies.

Our work focuses on meeting people where they are—developing strategies that reflect community voices and promote equitable outcomes. From expanding transportation access and affordable housing to raising awareness about environmental resilience to healthcare access and educational equity, we address the barriers impacting low-income residents and communities of color.

With deep cultural competency and a strong understanding of diverse social landscapes, we specialize in social impact sectors such as healthcare, housing, transportation, and education. Partnering with government agencies, Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), and socially responsible companies, we design inclusive, community-centered campaigns that foster trust, build lasting connections, and drive meaningful, measurable change.

What You Will Be Doing:

You will lead business development by proactively managing the full proposal lifecycle—from opportunity vetting to final submission—ensuring alignment, clarity, and strategic focus.

The Senior Proposal Manager must demonstrate familiarity with and ability to navigate all elements of government, nonprofit, and corporate RFPs. You will serve as lead strategist and writer for proposals, with strong communications knowledge and confidence in shaping narratives. You will develop original content, tailor responses, and articulate D&A’s strengths and equity lens in every submission. You will also be expected to independently identify high-potential opportunities, make recommendations on which to pursue, and lead cross-functional teams with confidence and clarity. This role involves strategic oversight, hands-on writing, and collaborative leadership to influence meaningful business growth through impactful public sector work.

Types of Proposals You May Lead:

You’ll develop proposals that promote equity and social impact—spanning transportation access, environmental resilience, government reform, inclusive branding, and community engagement. Many will focus on equity-centered communications strategies that help public agencies better serve historically excluded communities.

Who You Are

You are a self-motivated, strategic thinker with deep public sector experience and a commitment to social impact. You lead with confidence, communicate with clarity, and take initiative.

You are…

• A strategic, proactive thinker who can identify opportunities, make recommendations, and confidently lead BD efforts.
• A confident communicator who is comfortable engaging with executives, clients, and cross-functional teams.
• A clear and persuasive communicator, adept at simplifying complex ideas into compelling narratives tailored for public sector audiences.
• A meticulous writer, skilled at producing articulate, engaging, and error-free proposal content. A self-starter who thrives in deadline-driven environments, managing multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining high standards of quality and accuracy.
• A proactive and accountable manager, able to lead and delegate effectively while ensuring all aspects of the proposal process are managed to a high standard.
• An insightful analyst, staying current on government policies, public sector trends, and community challenges to guide strategy.
• A collaborative problem-solver, skilled in coordinating cross-functional teams and adapting to changing priorities.
• Equity-minded, ensuring all proposals reflect inclusivity and align with the needs of diverse stakeholders.

You have…

• 5–7+ years directly managing and writing complex proposals—including full oversight from strategy through submission—for communications, engagement, and/or branding scopes.
• Extensive public sector communications proposal writing experience, including managing government RFPs from development to submission.
• Deep understanding of public procurement, compliance, and equity-centered frameworks.
• Demonstrated expertise in proposal lifecycle management, with the ability to streamline workflows and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple demands and lead collaborative teams.
• An eye for both details and big-picture strategy, ensuring proposals are polished and strategically aligned.
• Proven research skills, enabling you to quickly synthesize complex information into clear, actionable insights.

You can…

• Speak confidently in internal and external meetings, ask questions, and share ideas proactively.
• Lead the development of compelling narratives, ensuring alignment with public and private sector priorities and community needs, and through an equity lens.
• Oversee and manage large-scale proposal efforts, including strategy, timelines, and cross-departmental coordination.
• Ensure compliance with all RFP requirements, from formatting to submission guidelines.
• Write engaging and tailored responses that highlight our Agency’s unique value proposition while addressing client goals.
• Proactively manage all contributors to the proposal process, delegating effectively and ensuring accountability at every stage.
• Provide actionable feedback to continuously enhance proposal strategies and improve success rates.
• Manage and maintain the public sector pipeline, including tracking, outreach, and opportunity analysis.
• Discern which opportunities align with agency priorities and make go/no-go recommendations.

Key Responsibilities

Proposal Writing and Development

• Lead the creation and writing of high-quality public and private sector proposals, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and alignment with client needs.
• Strategize and execute proposals that effectively communicate our Agency’s values, equity lens, and competitive edge.

Public Sector Opportunity Management

• Identify and evaluate new opportunities in the public and private sector, leveraging insights to shape competitive proposals.
• Conduct thorough research on potential clients, government initiatives, and industry trends to inform strategy.

Collaboration and Team Leadership

• Manage cross-functional teams to gather information and create cohesive, winning proposals.
• Collaborate with creative and technical teams to ensure the inclusion of compelling visuals and content.
• Proactively direct, delegate, and manage the team throughout the process, maintaining clarity, momentum, and accountability.

Continuous Improvement and Knowledge Sharing

• Collect feedback from proposal outcomes, incorporating lessons learned to refine future approaches.
• Organize and maintain a repository of proposal templates, content, and strategies for efficiency.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, Business, Marketing, Technical Writing, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5–7 years’ experience managing new business lifecycle and developing public and private sector proposals, including RFPs, RFIs, and RFQs, with proven expertise in managing complex submissions end-to-end.
• Demonstrated success in developing and leading business development strategies.
• Knowledge of industry best practices and trends in proposal writing.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other proposal management tools.
• Direct experience in communications strategy is required; business development experience is a plus.
• Experience with equity-focused initiatives and familiarity with community engagement principles is a plus.
• Experience with and deep knowledge of San Francisco Bay Area public sector organizations, corporations, nonprofits and initiatives is a plus.

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily, both remotely and in person. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Psychological Demands

This role requires adaptability and resilience in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Key demands include:

• Managing shifting priorities and multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Maintaining focus and attention to detail under deadlines.
• Collaborating effectively within diverse teams and departments.
• Communicating ideas persuasively and building strong internal relationships.
• Navigating interruptions and thinking quickly to solve problems.
• Working independently and remotely while staying connected with colleagues, clients, and partners through phone, video, and email.
• Navigating interactions that may be complex or sensitive.

Physical Demands

Typical physical activities for this role include:

• Sitting for extended periods (up to 8 hours/day) while using a computer, keyboard, mouse, telephone, and other office equipment.
• Frequent use of hands and fingers to type, handle objects, and operate controls (e.g., computer keyboard, mouse, keypad).
• Regularly required to manipulate small objects and maintain fine motor skills for detailed tasks.
• Frequent verbal communication via phone, video calls, and in-person meetings.
• Occasional travel to client sites or events using various transportation modes.
• Standing at client or community events for long periods.
• Vision requirements include close focus, color recognition, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus as needed.

Work Environment

Work settings vary between quiet to moderately noisy office environments and remote locations with variable noise levels. This role supports hybrid work arrangements, requiring flexibility between home, office, and client/event sites.

Equipment Used

• Regular: Computer, telephone, printer
• Occasional: Copier