Pursuit & Proposal Manager

JOURNEY GROUP: OUR STORY

Journey Group is a full-service construction group with headquarters in Sioux Falls, S.D., and four divisions offering commercial, manufacturing, industrial, civil, residential and asphalt construction services in the upper Midwest and nationwide. Our company has a long-standing reputation of building lasting relationships with contractors throughout the region. Our experience in past projects working in and around the local construction market coupled with our solid reputation of being a fair, honest, and team-oriented company will bring a strong contractor interest to any project. With Journey Group, you're getting engineers and construction professionals with a wealth of education and experience-but you're also getting allies on your project site. Our team is trustworthy, communicative, fiscally responsible and never lacking in follow-through.

OUR OPENING

The Pursuit & Proposal Manager leads the strategy, coordination, and development of proposals and presentations to secure new construction projects. This role collaborates closely with business development, preconstruction, and project teams to craft tailored responses that align with client needs and company capabilities. They manage the entire pursuit lifecycle-from pre-RFQ positioning through final submission-ensuring deadlines are met and content is clear, persuasive, and brand-consistent. Success in this role requires strong project management, communication, and writing skills, along with a deep understanding of the construction industry.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO AS A PUSUIT & PROPOSAL MANAGER?

Proposal Writing and Interview Coordination

• Lead the entire proposal process from RFQ through final submission.
• Collaborate closely with business development, preconstruction, project managers, and other stakeholders to gather information, technical details and specifications necessary for proposal creation.
• Develop comprehensive project proposals in response to RFPs, RFIs, and other bid opportunities.
• Craft clear and concise content that outlines project scopes, timelines, budgets, and unique value propositions.
• Translate technical information and construction specifications into easily understandable language for a diverse audience.
• Develop visually engaging proposal material through graphic design and custom layouts including slide deck creation.
• Create content that highlights our construction methodologies, safety practices, capabilities and adherence to industry standards for proposals and/or interview presentations.
• Lead interview preparation ensuring team is well-prepared with adequate information.
• Conduct thorough research on project requirements, site conditions, and client needs to tailor proposals accordingly.
• Analyze and interpret architectural and engineering drawings to incorporate relevant details into proposals.
• Collaborate with corporate marketing team to ensure Journey Group vision is consistently maintained and industry standards are upheld.
• Facilitate pursuit and proposal debriefs to gather feedback and implement continuous improvements.

Market Research

• Research new opportunities, trends, and competitors in the industry.
• Research current and potential new market information such as physical locations, growth plans, influential community leaders, etc. Provide supporting documentation to stakeholders by compiling relevant information, profit margin, and alignment with company strategy.
• Develop and execute pursuit strategies based on research in collaboration with VP of Business Development.
• Maintain library of resumes, proposal content, and templates for efficient use.
• Understand target market and effectively build relationships with key stakeholders.
• Provide periodic and ongoing communication with existing clients to ensure satisfaction with the service provided.
• Maintain relationships with past clients to uphold the Journey Group company brand and reputation.

Other Responsibilities

• Maintain contacts and leads in Journey Group's CRM system.
• Manage data recorded in CRM.
• Participate and assist with regular sales group training for Journey Construction professionals.
• This position will be required to protect operations by keeping information confidential.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Must be able and willing to create and maintain a good working relationship with all employees within the team.

EXPERINCE AND EDUCATION REQUIRED

• Bachelor's or Associates degree in Marketing, Graphic Design, Communications or related field of study, proven track record of success in proposal writing, pursuit strategies or business development role, with a minimum of 5 years of experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential job duties and responsibilities required.
• Previous construction industry knowledge or experience preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES NEEDED

• Able to embrace and represent Journey Group core values.
• Strategic thinker with a results-driven mindset.
• Excellent attention to detail and organization skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Able to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with strict deadlines.
• Able to maintain a high degree of professionalism.
• Proficient in applicable computer programs including Microsoft Office, CANVA, Adobe InDesign, and photoshop preferred.
• Familiarity with CRMs preferred.
• Possess a valid driver's license, safe driving record, and evidence of insurability is preferred.
• Must be 18 years of age or older to safely work in a construction environment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Work performed primarily in an office environment (55%) or in the field on job sites or in the community (45%).
• Some work takes place in an indoor office setting equipped with a computer, desk, phone, and other typical office equipment.
• Must be able to inspect details at close range, interact, communicate, and exchange accurate information consistently.
• Must be able to consistently move about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly on job sites with unfinished and uneven surfaces.
• Some work takes place in outdoor weather conditions.
• Must be able to retain a stationary position for extended periods of time occasionally depending on the task.
• Regional travel to job sites, conferences, events is regularly required.

BENEFITS YOU WILL EXPERIENCE WITH JOURNEY GROUP

At Journey Group, we offer a variety of different perks and benefits. We offer competitive pay, annual review with pay increase opportunity, annual bonus, and Spanish/English bilingual premium pay. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, 401k with a company match, flex spending account, health savings account with a company match, short term disability, employer paid long term disability, along with a wellness program.

We want our employees to maintain a work life balance, so we offer paid time off, 8 paid holidays, and paid parental leave.

As a Pursuit & Proposal Manager, you will be eligible for a company provided cell phone and clothing allowance.

OUR TEAM NEEDS YOU!

If you are ready to join our mission of positively impacting lives by building community, please submit a resume online or stop in and fill out an application at 4500 W 58th Street Sioux Falls, SD 57108

Journey Group is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding hiring and employment. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status.