Proposal Specialist

Position Summary

SvN Architects + Planners is looking for a Proposal Specialist to join our Business Development and Marketing Team. This position can be based out of either our Toronto or Vancouver Studio. In this role, you will bring your meticulous attention to detail, compelling and articulate writing skills, and exceptional organizational skills to create award-winning responses to RFPs, RFIs and RFQs. If you are an excellent communicator, a reliable team player, and a multi-tasker who is detail-oriented and can juggle multiple deadlines, we would love to hear from you

Qualifications

•    Bachelor's degree or equivalent in business, and/or marketing and communications;

•    Minimum of three (3) years experience in a marketing / proposal coordination role, or similar experience, preferably for a professional services firm – an Architectural and Planning firm would be considered an asset;

•    Compelling and articulate writing skills; 

•    Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite - Mastery of InDesign is a must;

•    Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office; 

•    Knowledge of Miro Online Whiteboard would be considered an asset; 

•    Experience working within a CRM Database - Deltek CRM and Open Asset Digital Management Software would be considered an asset.

Why Choose SvN?

SvN is one of Canada's premier integrated design firms with a 150+ multidisciplinary team of architects, planners, urban designers and landscape architects engaged with the dynamic social, economic and environmental forces that define and govern where we live and work. We provide solutions focused on the urgent transition of the built environment into an equitable and low carbon world.

We are committed to engaging with projects that put people, the planet and local economies at the forefront of design. We believe the multiple crises we face today are fundamentally design challenges. We are unique in providing design-intensive services and believe that ideas and expertise together with optimism and generosity can help make a better world.

Since our original inception over 40 years ago, we continue to shape the built environment in regions, cities, and towns across Canada and worldwide. SvN currently operates in studios in Toronto, Vancouver, and Mexico City, and has a newly established practice in San Francisco. SvN is part of the 10N collective of urbanism, architecture, and design experts brought together by Egis Group.

We've revitalized industrial waterfronts, developed many new forms of affordable housing, designed resilient neighbourhoods, and promoted rural and urban economic development.

What we have to offer you:

SvN offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including:

•    Full Health and Dental benefits, including a $1000 Health and Wellness Spending Account;

•    Parental Leave top-up of 75% for 13 weeks*

•    A generous Professional Development Allowance of $1500, as well as covering licensing fees;

•    A Group Retirement Savings Plan with a matching component; 

•    A generous amount of vacation, sick and personal time, as well as a studio-wide closure over the holidays in December;

•    An incentive compensation Bonus Program;

•    Flexible work hours; and

•    Engaging and fun social events, with opportunities to participate throughout the year including ski days, holiday parties, weekly forums, design work shops and more

*after 6 months of service

The salary range for this role is $65,000 to $75,000, commensurate based on experience.

As a Proposal Specialist, a typical day at SvN may include:

•    Work with principals and senior staff to design, assist in writing, and produce proposals in alignment with SvN brand standards;

•    Lead and own pursuits from initiation to submittal, including the graphic design and layout of entire document;

•    Complete daily procurement site searches for opportunities, including ongoing standing offers across all disciplines;

•    Review RFPs, RFQs, RFIs, etc. to ensure compliance with submission requirements and determine optimal presentation of content;

•    Plan and coordinate proposal tasks, from initial Go/No Go and kick-off meetings to proposal submission, internal post-mortem, close-out procedures, and client debrief if necessary;

•    Develop and manage pursuit responsibility matrixes and proposal outlines;

•    Tailor existing resumes, bios, project descriptions and boilerplate information;

•    Assist in the development of proposal team best practices, tools, and policies;

•    Contribute to the generation, collection, dissemination, and storage of related information;

•    Effectively communicate with proposal teams and colleagues, as well as other stakeholders and subject matter experts;

•    Report on proposal metrics as required;

•    Support database maintenance: Deltek (CRM), Open Asset (Digital Asset Management for AEC);

•    Understand and synthesize various concepts, and oral and written information to produce clear and well-developed written documents;

•    Support the team by sourcing and developing high-quality materials for use in proposals;

•    Ensure proposal asset content is tightly governed while ensuring the process for capturing content is continually optimized;

•    Analyze feedback collected through internal and external bid debriefs and provide recommendations to the team to improve the quality of future proposals;

•    Assist in the definition, identification, management and implementation of tools and processes to enhance operational effectiveness and efficiency;

•    Compile internal intelligence such as history with the client for proposal decisions and strategy.

This role might be for you if you:

•    Are highly organized, self-motivated, resourceful, and can hit the ground running;

•    Have meticulous graphic design skills and experience creating high-impact graphics and infographics; 

•    Have extensive time and project management skills to ensure proposal schedules are maintained and deadlines are met;

•    Demonstrate analytic skills and the ability to quickly and pro-actively identify and analyze problems, develop solutions and deliver results;

•    Have strong research and writing skills, as well as proofreading skills and very high attention to detail;

•    Able to handle multiple assignments concurrently, adhere to strict deadlines, and be accountable for work performed; 

•    Have the ability to complete online submissions of proposals, using portals such as: Merx, Bids and Tenders, and Ariba;

•    Have the ability to handle all administrative functions, including final proposal production, reprographics, binding, finishing, and shipping of documents when required; 

•    Have the ability to multi-task with a demonstrated capability to manage multiple deadlines and changing project criteria;

•    Have the ability to work independently and as part of a team under pressure and within strict timelines.

How to apply:

Candidates may apply through our HR platform. 

Please submit a cover letter, resume and portfolio of your work demonstrating your expertise and creativity in proposal documentation. The cover letter should address key characteristics highlighted in the position description and should communicate the reasons why your skillset and background are ideal for this role. Should you be selected for an interview, you will be required to present your portfolio.

As an employer committed to employment equity, SvN encourages applications from members of equity-seeking communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions. We encourage members of equity-seeking groups to self-identify within their cover letter in their application.