Proposals Manager chez Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL)

Are you looking for a role that will challenge you? Can you see yourself leading and managing the end-to-end preparation, production, and delivery of complex proposals? Do you like to contribute to continuous process improvements by identifying opportunities to enhance proposal management efficiency? If you answered yes, then this may be the job for you! Our Chalk River location is looking for a Proposals Manager, apply today!

What will you be doing! 

• Developing Complex Proposals:
  • Leading and managing the end-to-end preparation, production, and delivery of complex proposals, ensuring alignment with company policies, procedures, industry best practices, and submission deadlines while overseeing proper packaging of all materials.
  • Assembling and leading cross-functional proposal teams, including authors, section leaders, Subject matter Experts (SMEs), and other personnel, ensuring the development of a compliant and winning proposal.
  • Preparing and communicating the Responsibility Matrix, ensuring all bid team members are aware of their roles and responsibilities.
  • Coordinating inputs from various functional areas (e.g., Commercial Leads, Technical Leads, Legal, Project Leads) to ensure comprehensive proposal development.
  • Planning, scheduling, and monitoring proposal progress, including hosting kick-off, status, and review meetings, while addressing issues impacting schedule, quality, or team collaboration.
  • Identifying and analyzing customer requirements from Request for Quotes (RFQs), ensuring timely completion and submission of all necessary inputs.
  • Developing and maintaining compliance matrices to ensure full adherence to client specifications and solicitation requirements.
  • Overseeing the preparation of accurate cost estimates for complex proposals, including cost rates, overhead markups, and escalation factors.
  • Collaborating on cost analysis to ensure financial alignment with company goals and reflecting results in the final quote sheet.
  • Leading and engaging in stakeholder reviews throughout the proposal process, ensuring alignment with customer requirements and identifying areas for improvement.
  • Conducting strategic reviews to address weaknesses, applying proposal best practices, and incorporating creative solutions to enhance proposal quality and competitiveness.
  • Reviewing, writing, and refining proposal content (e.g., case studies, resumes, and key sections) to ensure clarity and impact.
  • Conducting independent quality reviews of proposal sections and providing improvement guidance.
  • Performing research and interviews to translate complex technical concepts into clear, concise narratives for non-technical audiences.
  • Collaborating with subcontractors to manage their contributions for compliance and quality.
  • Leading the proposal closeout process, conducting turnover meetings to transition contract responsibilities to Project Leads, ensuring material completeness, and gathering feedback through lessons-learned debriefs to improve future proposals.
• Improving Business Development Processes:
  • Mentoring and guiding Business Development team members, including Commercial Leads, Project Leads, and technical staff, by offering advice on proposal management processes, schedules, compliance, and strategy to ensure high-quality proposal development.
  • Contributing to continuous process improvements by identifying opportunities to enhance proposal management efficiency, reduce approval cycle times, and improve customer satisfaction.
  • Reviewing and refining departmental procedures regularly to ensure alignment with Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL’s) requirements while meeting customer expectations and driving consistency and compliance across all proposal activities.
  • Identifying and implementing process improvements to streamline workflows and enhance team productivity, ensuring more efficient proposal development and delivery.
  • Monitoring the effectiveness of implemented improvements by using feedback and performance metrics to adjust strategies and ensure measurable improvements in proposal quality and submission timelines.
• Developing Non-Complex Proposals, Change Orders, and Accepting Purchase Orders:
  • Leading CNL staff through the process of completing non-complex proposals and change orders.
  • Leading CNL staff through the process of accepting purchase orders.
  • Acting as a point of contact for internal and external customers by providing commercial and contractual information, answering queries, offering advice, and making recommendations to ensure customer satisfaction.
  • Supporting CNL’s participation in the commercial contracting cycle by receiving customer requests, developing and delivering commercial proposals, and accepting contracts.
  • Participating in and supporting the development of commercial agreements.
• Managing Commercial Customer Relationships:
  • Supporting the resolution of customer issues and resolving problems efficiently and effectively, either independently or by engaging appropriate resources.
  • Sharing information with virtual account team members to ensure awareness of client issues and to support the development of strategies and tactics that meet client needs.
  • Leading or assisting with the marketing of new and existing products to strategic accounts.
  • Advising on the development and implementation of CNL commercialization strategies.
  • Providing responses to customer needs and seeking appropriate management input when risks to CNL are substantial, using sound judgment to identify high-risk situations or those that could jeopardize the customer relationship.
  • Providing input to the Business Opportunity Review on upcoming opportunities and issues, where applicable.
• Other duties as assigned by your manager.   
   

What we are looking for: 

• Education 
  • Post-secondary education in a related field, commerce, finance, economics, accounting, business administration would be an asset.
  • APMP Certification would be an asset.
• Experience 
  • A minimum of 5-7 years leading Proposal responses from prepositioning through to proposal submission. 
  • Experience managing teams to deliver by established deadlines.
  • Relevant professional experience with exposure to marketing and sales of technical products or customized services.
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical information into clear, client-centric proposals and presentations.
  • Demonstrated project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, prioritize tasks, and meet customer deadlines in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
  • Ability to lead and motivate cross-functional teams, working effectively with personnel from various disciplines to deliver high-quality proposals.
  • Exceptional leadership skills, including the ability to plan, delegate, hold teams accountable, and implement changes to improve proposal processes.
  • Proven ability to work independently while also collaborating with team members to achieve team objectives and deliverables.
  • Strong negotiation and dispute resolution abilities, with a proven track record of influencing and impacting outcomes effectively.
  • Excellent attention to detail and a high level of accuracy, ensuring all proposal components meet customer and company standards.
  • Demonstrated strategic thinking and the ability to develop winning content, aligning proposals with customer requirements and organizational goals.
  • Comprehensive understanding of the sales cycle, from lead generation to commercial contract closeout, with in-depth knowledge of marketing and selling technical products or customized services.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office programs, with advanced capabilities in Microsoft Excel and a solid working knowledge of spreadsheets, databases, and word processing software.
  • Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to establish trust and influence outcomes through effective communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
  • High level of motivation and self-discipline, able to thrive in both independent and team environments while maintaining a customer-focused approach.
  • Experienced in proposal management from prepositioning to submission and interviews, leading teams to meet established deadlines and client expectations.
  • Refined commercial acumen and strong numeracy skills, with the ability to assess the financial and strategic impact of proposals, develop cost models, and ensure alignment with company goals and the proposal’s commercial strategy.
  • Advanced writing, proofreading, and editing skills, with the ability to maintain high standards for grammar, spelling, and composition in all proposal content.
  • Strong organizational and time-management skills, able to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize effectively, and work efficiently under pressure.
  • Familiar with CNL Commercial requirements, including Conflict of Interest policies and Site Operating Contract Agreement requirements.
  • Collaborative, with excellent active listening and communication skills, capable of working with diverse stakeholders, authors, and contributors at all levels.
  • Ability to adapt to evolving requirements, continuously improving proposal management processes and identifying areas for efficiency and effectiveness.
• Security Clearance Eligibility Required

  • Level 2 Secret requires a minimum of 7 years of verifiable history in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and/or the United Kingdom. CNL implements security screening in accordance with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's “Standard on Security Screening” and the “Policy on Government Security.” 

     

Why CNL?

Does working with a team across Canada to advance nuclear science and technology for a clean and secure world speak to you?  We're reinventing ourselves to be the pacesetters so we can lead the charge in solving the problems that matter, like building the next generation of clean nuclear and hydrogen energy solutions, developing new and better-targeted cancer treatments, and continuing to lead the world in environmental remediation.    

We offer a complete total rewards package :   

• Paid time off (vacation, sick, floater & personal);
• Benefits  effective day one, that’s right, no waiting period;
• Tuition support,
• and a pension!  

Do Our Priorities Resonate with You?   

• Clean energy for today and tomorrow.
• Restore and protect the Environment.
• Contribute to the health of Canadians.  
   

Location: 

CNL also supports a workplace environment and corporate culture built on our Core Values: Respect, Teamwork, Accountability, Safety, Integrity, and Excellence. These values encourage equitable employment practices and career prospects, including accommodations for all employees.   

CNL is committed to being an equal-opportunity employer. If you require accommodation measures during any phase of the hiring process, please indicate via our ATS when applying. All information received regarding accommodation requests will be kept confidential.   

The Chalk River Laboratories site is located on the unceded and unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe people. As an organization, CNL recognizes and appreciates their historic connection to this place. CNL also recognizes the contributions that First Nations, Métis, Inuit and other Indigenous Peoples have made, both in shaping and strengthening this community in particular, and this province and country as a whole.