Proposal Strategist

Proposal Strategist

Brainspring - Orton-Gillingham Based Literacy Solutions

About Brainspring

Brainspring is a nationally recognized leader in Orton-Gillingham-based literacy solutions, dedicated to empowering educators with evidence-based professional development, instructional materials, and accreditation-aligned resources. With over 30 years of expertise in structured literacy, we partner with schools, districts, and states to equip teachers with the tools and training they need to help every student succeed and thrive.

As Brainspring continues to expand its partnerships with states and districts nationwide, we are seeking a strategic, collaborative, and highly organized Proposal Strategist to lead the identification, development, and execution of high-quality proposals, RFP/RFI responses, and grant submissions that position Brainspring for success.

Position Overview

The Proposal Strategist plays a critical role in shaping and managing Brainspring's proposal and bid strategy. This person identifies the right bid opportunities, evaluates fit, and manages the full proposal process. They will collaborate across sales, operations, education, and leadership to ensure every submission is persuasive, compliant, and aligned with Brainspring's mission and state literacy priorities. The ideal candidate combines strategic thinking with exceptional communication skills and thrives in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.

Key Responsibilities

Identify and evaluate RFPs, RFIs, and grant opportunities that align with Brainspring's solutions and growth strategy.

Lead and manage the full proposal lifecycle, ensuring all deliverables meet quality, accuracy, and compliance standards.

Develop compelling, well-structured proposals and grant applications that highlight Brainspring's evidence-based literacy solutions and measurable impact.

Collaborate with cross-functional teams (sales, operations, education consultants, and leadership) to gather data, align messaging, and finalize submissions.

Analyze issuing organizations, evaluation criteria, and competitor positioning to shape proposal strategy and strengthen win themes.

Contribute to strategic planning discussions around pipeline prioritization and bid/no-bid decisions.

Maintain proposal templates, content libraries, and visual assets to improve efficiency and consistency.

Communicate clearly and confidently with internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment and on-time delivery.

Support ongoing process improvement to enhance proposal quality and win rate.

Qualifications & Skills

Bachelor's degree in English, Communications, Business Administration, Education, or a related field (required).

3+ years of experience in proposal writing, bid management, or grants management - ideally in K-12 education, EdTech, or public-sector services.

Proven ability to identify high-value RFP opportunities and make informed bid/no-bid recommendations.

Exceptional writing, editing, and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines.

Strong communication and collaboration skills; able to influence and lead across departments.

Hands-on experience with HubSpot CRM or equivalent for proposal tracking and reporting.

Familiarity with state and local government procurement processes, especially in K-12 education.

(Preferred) Experience with grant writing or public education funding proposals.

(Preferred) Proficiency in document layout and formatting for professional, visually appealing submissions.

What We Value

At Brainspring, we value collaboration, accountability, and initiative. You excel in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments. You know how to balance detail with big-picture strategy. You're a proactive communicator who takes ownership, shares ideas, and continuously improves both the process and the product.