Technical Writer Proposal Manager
Resume:
Stanley W. Elwood, APMP
*** *. ****** ****, #** • Gilbert, AZ 85296 • 480-***-**** • **********@*.*** Design Portfolio: https://www.behance.net/stanelwood0577 Cover Letter
I am very much interested in your Proposal Manager position. I am APMP-certified and have been using Shipley for 12 years. I easily handle concurrent RFxs and am expert at structuring and scheduling proposal teams. When Shipley interviewed me last year, they found that not only was I steeped in their principles, but I was also the perfect candidate to be the VisibleThread Champion for Microsoft’s massive proposal team. I am expert at VisibleThread’s Docs and Writer proposal software, and I trained Microsoft’s proposal managers in its use. This software automates many time-consuming parts of the current proposal process and saves significant amounts of time in preparing a proposal. After completing my contract with Shipley in January 2022, I performed a Lean Six Sigma analysis of the entire proposal process from capture through submittal. As a result, I identified multiple areas that waste inordinate amounts of time and structural practices that create opportunities for non-compliance. I eliminated them from the current industry-wide proposal process and have created a new one. Thus, I now offer a streamlined process that guarantees compliance that also (1) cuts out extraneous content,
(2) maximizes the efficiency and effectiveness of SMEs, (3) unifies the proposal’s voice, (4) makes the solution more compelling, (5) reduces the time needed to generate the response, and (6) simplifies the contract administrator’s review of the proposal. Furthermore, this aligns better with Shipley’s proposal management principles than the current industry-wide process does. In addition, after analyzing the proposal capture process and how it should aid proposal management, I developed methods that reduce the amount of time the Capture Team spends evaluating RFxs. This helps the team determine which RFxs best align with the company’s strengths, reduces the amount of time necessary to review them, and positions the RFx to be handled most effectively by the Proposal Team. Thus, I have created a Manual & Style Guide that lays out the new process and make it available for my employer. I have a great deal of experience with DoD, NASA, and other federal proposals. In addition to Microsoft Word, SharePoint, and Teams, I am also an expert with InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Acrobat Pro. Thus, I am a complete resource for all phases of proposal development. Thank you for your consideration!
Stan Elwood
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Resume for Stanley W. Elwood
Summary
A highly skilled and experienced proposal manager and technical writer who possesses both excellent communication skills and the drive to bring every proposal to completion on time every time. APMP- certified. Uses the Shipley Proposal Guide to construct the document, manage the process, and make the content complete, correct, and concise. Expert at VisibleThread’s Docs proposal shredding tool and VT’s Writer text analysis tool. Proposal management experience includes federal, state, and commercial proposals. Also an expert graphic designer in the use of Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Offers expertise in the following software and production skills:
• Microsoft Office • Adobe Acrobat Pro • Sharepoint
• VisibleThread Docs & Writer • Microsoft Teams • Mac and PC
• Photoshop • PowerPoint • Graphic Design
• Illustrator • Proposal Management • Supervisory Experience
• InDesign • Technical Writing • Editing/Proofreading Professional Experience
Proposal Manager (Remote) 08/31/22–11/10/22
Harmonia Holdings, VA — Federal IT Services Provider
• RFPs valued between $7M and $300M
• Uses VisibleThread’s Docs tool to shred and analyze RFxs
• Guides the Proposal Team for proposal responses
• Delegates responsibilities to Team members for providing content
• Ensures that all components of the proposal are collocated in Sharepoint, updated, edited, and delivered
Proposal Manager (Remote) 05/16/22–06/10/22
Kreative Technologies, VA — Federal IT Services Provider
• RFPs valued between $5M and $20M
• Guided the Proposal Team for proposal responses
• Delegated responsibilities to Team members for providing content
• Ensured that all components of the proposal were collocated in Sharepoint, updated, edited, and delivered
Proposal Manager (Remote) 02/14/22–03/18/22
OM Group, NJ — Federal IT Services Provider
• RFPs valued between $4M and $22M
• Used VisibleThread’s Docs tool to shred and analyze RFxs
• Guided the Proposal Team for proposal responses
• Revamped the company’s proposal process and archive file structure 2
• Created compliance matrices for RFPs in VisibleThread Docs then place them in Sharepoint that allowed management to monitor the progress of each response
• Designed and created a Critical Path Process Chart for following a response from its creation and review through its submission
• Delegated responsibilities to Team members for providing content
• Ensured that all components of the proposal were collocated in Sharepoint, updated, edited, and delivered
• Constructed and edited the proposal using the Shipley Proposal Guide
• Coached teammates to more effectively and more efficiently perform their assigned tasks Proposal Manager / VisibleThread Champion – Remote 07/19/21–01/13/22 Shipley Associates, Kaysville, UT — SaaS Provider
• RFPs valued between $300K and $11M
• Guided proposal teams for Microsoft’s GPS unit
• Designed and created a Critical Path Process Chart for following a response from its creation and review through its submission
• Responded to multiple SaaS RFPs
• Created compliance matrices for the RFP in VisibleThread Docs then placed them in Sharepoint that allowed the Team to monitor the progress of each response
• Was Microsoft’s Champion for VisibleThread’s Docs and Writer Applications
• Created all training materials for VT Docs and Writer
• Managed the license assignments for VT Docs
• Trained all 47 of Microsoft’s proposal managers on the use of VisibleThread’s Docs and Writer applications
Proposal Consultant (Contract) – Remote 02/17/21–06/14/21 Softheon Inc., Stony Brook, NY — SaaS Provider
• RFPs valued between $2M and $18M
• Doubled win rate from 22% to 55%
• Guided the Proposal Team for Softheon’s SaaS proposal responses
• Created compliance matrices for RFPs in Sharepoint that allowed management to monitor the progress of each response
• Delegated responsibilities to Team members for providing content
• Ensured that all components of the proposal were collocated in Sharepoint, updated, edited, and delivered
• Constructed and edited the proposals using the Shipley Proposal Guide
• Coached teammates to more effectively and more efficiently perform their assigned tasks
• Designed and created a Critical Path Process Chart for following a response from its creation and review through its submission
• Designed and created a Proposal Management Chart for a complete list of the responsibilities for each member of the Proposal Team
• Designed and created the Softheon Style Guide for standardizing the writing and editing of proposals, marketing materials, and other documents
• Edited and updated 13 PowerPoint decks for a rebranding
• Edited the vice president’s blog posts
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COVID-19 01/07/20–02/17/21
Proposal Manager/Technical Writer 11/06/17–01/07/20 STARA Technologies, Inc., Gilbert, AZ — Defense Contractor
• RFPs valued between $4M and $126M
• Created the Compliance Matrix for every proposal effort
• Aggregated the content into that matrix from the SMEs and Executives
• Constructed and edited proposals using the Shipley Proposal Guide for completeness, accuracy, and conciseness for DoD RFPs, RFQs, and RFIs
• Coached teammates to more effectively and more efficiently perform their assigned tasks
• Designed and wrote User Manuals and work instructions for company products, including Unmanned Aerial Delivery Systems and Communications Trailers for border operations
• User manuals included trailer setup, power system setup, system calibration, computer hardware connectivity, software integration, and IT troubleshooting instructions
• Created photo composites and line drawings for manuals, presentations, and marketing materials
• Shot video footage for test flights, product assembly, and training videos in high definition
• Compiled and edited video footage and created music beds for background soundtracks
• Wrote content for training videos and PowerPoint presentations
• Photographed company products and build procedures for use in User Manuals, proposals, and promotional materials
Proposal Manager 07/24/17–09/30/17
CyraCom International, Inc., Phoenix, AZ — Interpreting Services for Medical Companies
• RFPs valued between $180K and $6M
• Compiled and edited proposals for State and corporate RFPs using the Shipley Proposal Guide
• Managed a team of three (3) proposal writers and one (1) capture specialist
• Restructured the proposal process to increase efficiency and eliminate extraneous language
• Coached teammates to more effectively and more efficiently perform their assigned tasks
• Analyzed previous proposals to determine winning strategies Proposal Manager (Contract) 05/01/17–07/21/17
Avella Inc., Phoenix, AZ — Specialty Pharmacy
• RFPs valued between $8M and $130M
• Compiled and edited proposals to pharmaceutical manufacturers using the Shipley Proposal Guide
• Designed and created a Critical Path Process Chart for following a response from its creation and review through its submission
• Redirected three (3) proposal teams to meet all milestones
• Coached teammates to more effectively and more efficiently perform their assigned tasks
• Analyzed previous proposals to determine winning strategies Proposal Manager 02/15–10/15
TEKsystems, Inc., Baltimore, MD — SaaS Provider
• RFPs valued between $20K and $3M
• Managed and wrote responses to RFPs, RFQs, and RFIs using the Shipley Proposal Guide
• Interfaced with all levels of company SMEs to drive the proposal efforts 4
• Coached teammates to more effectively and more efficiently perform their assigned tasks
• Managed the proposal content and edited PowerPoint presentations
• Created and edited graphics for presentations and other documents Technical Publications Manager 09/13–03/14
Dynamic Science, Inc., Phoenix, AZ — Defense Contractor
• RFPs valued between $1.4M and $7M
• Guided the Proposal Team for proposal rManaged the Technical Publications Department
• Managed all proposal efforts and edited all proposals using the Shipley Proposal Guide
• Designed and created a Critical Path Process Chart for following a response from its creation and review through its submission
• Directed off-site SMEs and onsite Executives for RFPs from the FAA and the DoD
• Coached teammates to more effectively and more efficiently perform their assigned tasks
• Created all marketing materials and presentations
• Created photo composites for marketing materials
• Managed all vendor relationships and contracts, including preparing and packaging all print jobs Proposal Manager/Senior Technical Writer 10/10–06/12 Black Diamond Technologies — Defense Contractor
• RFPs valued between $60K and $8M
• Guided the Proposal Team for proposal rCreated all proposals answering DoD RFPs using the Shipley Proposal Guide
• Designed, created all content, and edited User Manuals and Quick-Start Guides for tactical communications vest
• Coached teammates to more effectively and more efficiently perform their assigned tasks
• Photographed products for use in User Manuals, Quick-Start Guides, and marketing materials
• Created technical illustrations from product photos to illustrate each manual
• Designed and created marketing materials
• Created all ad copy and presentations
• Managed and edited proposal efforts in response to RFPs from Department of Army Senior Technical Writer 08/05–02/09
MTD Southwest, Tempe, AZ — Lawn & Garden Equipment Manufacturer
• Wrote all content and edited User Manuals and Quick-Start guides for Craftsman, Troy-Bilt, Yard-Man, Yard Machines, and Cub Cadet products
• Managed 110 manual updates per year, including 4–7 new product manuals
• Created line art from product photos to illustrate each manual Creative Director 04/2001–08/2005
Darwin House LLC, Phoenix, AZ — Holding Company for Dr. Will Hoskyns, Cosmetic Dentist
• Managed all art direction and creation
• Planned and built creative marketing strategies for print and media delivery
• Designed, developed, and managed the company web sites
• Storyboarded, shot, and edited videos for web delivery
• Designed and created marketing materials, including magazine and newspaper advertisements 5
• Managed all vendor relationships and contracts
• Coordinated and set up all photo shoots
• Edited, touched up, and composited all photographs Proposal Manager 10/1990–12/1993
EER Systems — NASA Contractor
• RFPs valued between $60M and $280M
• Guided the Proposal Team answering NASA RFPs for launch services
• Interfaced with all SMEs for content aggregation
• Edited the documents each day for War Room review Community Involvement
Moderator/Editor 11/15–Present
Science Fiction and Techno-Thriller Editorial Group, Gilbert, AZ
• Manages the group and edits members submissions
Videographer 08/15–10/17
Mesquite High School, Gilbert, AZ
• Recorded Freshman football games (1 season) and Dive team meets (2 seasons) State of Arizona Career & Technical Education (CTE) Committee Leader 11/12–12/12 Arizona Department of Education, Phoenix, AZ
• Created the Journalism Skill Assessment Standards for the Standards Validation Committee for the Career & Technical Education Multimedia Technologies Program State of Arizona Career & Technical Education (CTE) Committee Member 04/10–04/12 Arizona State University / University of Arizona / Arizona Department of Education, Phoenix, AZ
• Created the Graphic Design Skill Assessment Standards for the Standards Validation Committee for the Career & Technical Education Multimedia Technologies Program 6
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