Lead Proposal Specialist

Location: Columbus or Cleveland, OH (this a hybrid position and candidate must reside in Columbus or Cleveland, OH)

Schedule: Full-time, Exempt | Report to local ORC office 2-3 days per week

Compensation: $82,000-$92,000 per year

Why Join ORC?

The Right Work. The Right People. The Right Culture.

Right of Way is where infrastructure meets innovation-shaping roads, utilities, and communities for the future. At ORC, we offer more than a job-we offer purpose, stability, and growth. You'll join a team that values collaboration, workplace flexibility, and long-term opportunity.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Lead Proposal Specialist to own ORC's proposal development process from kickoff through submission. This role is highly visible and will collaborate with Business Development, Project Managers, Divisional Directors, and the Executive Vice President to craft compelling, compliant, and winning proposals. You'll not only develop strong narratives and packages but also help elevate our processes, knowledge management, and brand presence.

What We Offer

• Competitive base pay
• Health, dental, and vision benefits
• 401(k) with company match and disability coverage
• Paid time off, sick time, and holidays
• Tuition reimbursement and professional training
• Recognition programs and growth opportunities
• Free Calm membership for you and up to five others

What You'll Do

• Lead the development of RFP/RFI/RFQ responses from kickoff through final submission
• Partner with internal teams to gather information, shape proposal strategy, and ensure alignment with ORC's value proposition
• Establish timelines, assign tasks, and enforce accountability across contributors
• Draft, edit, and refine proposal narratives and supporting content, turning technical details into persuasive client-facing messaging
• Maintain and improve a library of resumes, project profiles, and boilerplate materials for reuse
• Champion knowledge management so the company reuses, not re-creates, content
• Support agency prequalification submittals and ensure compliance with recurring requirements
• Drive consistency and quality through proposal templates, formatting, and process improvements
• Track win/loss outcomes and incorporate lessons learned into future submissions

We're Looking for Someone Who Is

• A strong writer and editor with experience developing proposals or qualifications packages in consulting, engineering, AEC, or related industries
• Obsessed with detail-orientation and organization, and able to manage deadlines and competing priorities with confidence
• A collaborator who can influence, negotiate priorities, and gain buy-in under tight timelines
• A storyteller who can translate technical information into clear, compelling narratives
• Tech savvy, comfortable using MS Office, Adobe tools, and content management systems like SharePoint, Dropbox, or Deltek Vantagepoint
• Resilient and agile, able to thrive under pressure and adapt quickly to shifting priorities

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Communications, or related field
• Minimum of (3) three years of experience in proposals, marketing, or business development, preferably in right of way, A/E/C, or consulting industries
• Must have experience using enterprise procurement, sourcing, spend management, supplier management, etc. (Ex. Ariba, Coupa, etc.)
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel) and electronic databases
• Must own an iOS or Android smartphone to access ORC systems

Bonus points if you have

• Familiarity with Deltek, MS Project, Prezi, SharePoint, or similar tools
• Prior experience responding to Federal, state, or local RFPs and prequalification requirements
• Experience with public procurement processes and evaluation rubrics
• Prior experience building and maintaining resume or proposal content libraries

Relocation and per diem are not provided

Ready to Apply?

Make your mark on projects that matter. Apply now to join a supportive team that invests in your future.

Our job titles may span more than one career level. Compensation for this position is dependent upon many factors, such as training, transferable skills, work experience, business needs, and market demands. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. This role may also be eligible for benefits and employee travel reimbursements.

ORC is one of America's most respected right-of-way acquisition firms. Our services not only include providing outsourced right-of-way services to public agencies, but also electric transmission, oil and gas pipelines, fiber optic, and sewer and water infrastructure. We are excited to be part of the renewable energy forefront for wind and solar projects.

Employees must avoid any relationship or activity that might impair, or even appear to impair, their ability to make objective and fair decisions when performing their jobs. To avoid conflicts of interest, employees are prohibited from performing any services for clients or perceived clients during nonworking time that are normally performed by ORC, including the sale of real estate.

Physical Requirements: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to clearly communicate and exchange information in person, via phone and email. Substantial repetitive movements of the wrists, hands and/or fingers due to high amounts of computer usage and typing. Expected to spend long spans of time in front of a computer screen. Able to read, understand and interpret department related documents and data. This is a largely sedentary role; however, the employee is occasionally required to move about inside the office to access files, office equipment and to interact with other members of the staff.

Voted IRWA Employer of the Year #2018

Ranked #663 and #1191 on the Inc. 5000 - Fastest Growing Private Companies for two Consecutive Years