Proposal Manager and RFP Response Specialist

Position Summary

How did you fall into proposal management? We all have our own story to tell, but when it’s the right fit, it’s like finding the long-lost career that you never knew was a possibility.

Guardian is looking for talented proposal professionals who seek to embrace the strategy of each case while moving the industry forward.

If you have a bit of proposal management experience, and a passion for creative technical storytelling, we want to hear from you!

As a Proposal Manager for Guardian, you’ll develop creative and compelling proposals that help influence current and prospective customers to choose Guardian.

You’ll be viewed as an important strategic partner throughout the pre-sale process, collaborating with many departments to extract the best of our company and put it on paper.

Strong writing is a prerequisite in this role, but the day-to-day work will offer challenges on a wide range of business skills like project management, negotiation, creativity, and strategy.

You are :

You are a technology enthusiast who enjoys the thrill of the hunt and finding creative ways to connect with and influence prospective customers.

In addition to creativity, you have a knack for efficiency and finding the right tools to help our team work smarter and easier.

You’re excited to help define and implement the future vision of proposals, while understanding each customer has distinctive needs and requirements.

You’re equally comfortable working independently and collaboratively. You want to help lead change and accelerate impact by using your experience and curiosity to find new ways of working.

You have :

A bachelor’s degree in a related discipline is preferred, but a combination of education and experience (especially involvement and certification in APMP) is just as valuable

An understanding of how proposals fit into the sales cycle and the ability to support sales / distribution by articulating the case-level strategy

Experience in preparing RFP responses and / or project execution, with the focus on details and project management skills required for compliant, compelling proposals

Above average skill with the classic Microsoft software products life Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well the knowledge to harness other efficiency tools that Microsoft offers

Experience with proposal creation software, whether you used it in a past job or explored options

Broad knowledge of group employee benefits a plus, but if that’s not your industry background, we’ll help get you there

You will :

Respond to proposal requests in a high-volume environment, project-managing each response and prioritizing the most strategic cases

Use proposal automation tools to pull in the right boilerplate content that you will then customize to meet the customer’s needs and tell the right story

Have autonomy to stay abreast of new product and service offerings, explore the competitive landscape, and continuously improve on your knowledge of technology and efficiency

Reporting Relationships

You will report to our Proposal Team Manager, who reports to the Head of Proposal & Presentation Solutions.

Location, Work Arrangement, and Travel :

Preferred locations include Bethlehem, PA; Holmdel, NJ; New York, NY; Chicago, IL; Atlanta, GA; Boston, MA; and Plano, TX.

We may consider applicants with the required qualifications in other locations.

Work Arrangement : If based near a Guardian Office, there will be a hybrid work arrangement (two days per week in office, and three days per week working from home).

Approximately 10% travel required for this position.

Salary Range

$82,660.00 - $135,805.00

The salary range reflected above is a good faith estimate of base pay for the primary location of the position. The salary for this position ultimately will be determined based on the education, experience, knowledge, and abilities of the successful candidate.

In addition to salary, this role may also be eligible for annual, sales, or other incentive compensation.

Our Promise

At Guardian, you’ll have the support and flexibility to achieve your professional and personal goals. Through skill-building, leadership development and philanthropic opportunities, we provide opportunities to build communities and grow your career, surrounded by diverse colleagues with high ethical standards.

Inspire Well-Being

As part of Guardian’s Purpose to inspire well-being we are committed to offering contemporary, supportive, flexible, and inclusive benefits and resources to our colleagues.

Health Care

Choice of high deductible / copay medical plans* with prescription drugs, including coverage for fertility and transgender inclusive benefits

Dental plan

Vision plan

Health care accounts flexible spending, health reimbursement, and health savings accounts

Critical illness insurance

Life and Disability Insurance

Company-paid Life and Disability insurance plus voluntary supplemental coverage

Accident insurance

Retirement and Financial

401(k) retirement plan with a company match, plus an annual age / service-based Company contribution and an annual profit-sharing contribution, if applicable

Complimentary 1 : 1 financial guidance with a licensed Fidelity representative

Time Off and Remote Work

Flexible work arrangements (part in-person / part remote)

Unlimited paid time off for most roles plus time off for volunteering, jury duty, voting, and bereavement

Personal holidays for colleagues to use in recognition of religious, cultural, or civic days

Paid parental leave and paid family and medical leave policies

Emotional Well-being and Work-Life

Emotional well-being, mental health, and work / life resources powered by Spring Health

Wellness programs, including fitness program and equipment reimbursement

Child, adult, and elder back-up care support through Bright Horizons

Adoption assistance

College planning

Tuition reimbursement

Student loan assistance

Commuter benefits in select metropolitan areas

Benefits apply to full-time eligible employees. Interns are not eligible for most Company benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Guardian is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability, military or veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable law.

Accommodations

Guardian is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities.

Guardian also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants (and employees) to accommodate the individual's known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless doing so would create an undue hardship.

If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and / or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact .