Proposal Writer Job Description Examples
Are you looking for examples of proposal writer job descriptions? Then you came to the right place.
In this guide, we’ll look at the proposal writer’s requirements and responsibilities across different industries.
We’ll also discuss the key skills and attributes that set successful proposal writers apart from the crowd. So if you’re curious about what goes into this exciting career field, read on.
Proposal writing is an art, as it helps a specific company get funding.
The company must have a stellar proposal as it can improve or break their business. Small businesses, especially, are constantly on the lookout for government grants to help them kickstart their projects.
As such, proposal writers are precious, but the job also requires refined writing skills. Furthermore, it’s not enough to create informative copies; you need skills that go outside of your comfort zone. Proposal writers work with clients and companies to understand their requirements.
For starters, our proposal writer job description will explain everything you need to know. You also get a good understanding of a grant writer’s job description after going through our detailed guide.
Proposal Writer Job Description Example 1 – IT
A proposal writer in the IT industry is responsible for creating and writing proposals for potential clients and employers. The job involves researching the client’s needs, understanding the products and services, and creating a proposal outlining how the company can meet the client’s needs.
Proposal writers must communicate the company’s strengths and capabilities and answer any questions that the client may have. In addition, proposal writers must work well under pressure and meet deadlines.
Job responsibilities of a proposal writer:
- Research companies, non-profits, RFPs, and grants
- Write documents that help with business development
- Edit written documents in a professional and credible manner
- Conduct interviews
- Help with reviewing products, services, and project ideas
- Help create strategies that help with the proposal development
- Rewrite proposals according to feedback
- Do presentations
- Create project schedules
- Write copies with a consistent tone
- Presentation skills
- Have an understanding of Microsoft Word and PowerPoint
- Previous experience in conducting interviews and creating strategies
- Organizational skills
- Work with coworkers such as graphic designers
- Create graphics and presentations
- Meet deadlines
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Information Systems, Information Technology, Computer Science or other related disciplines.
- 6+ years of proven experience in writing proposals.
- Understand and explain complex technical concepts.
- Write clear and concise proposals.
- Strong research and analytical skills.
- Work to tight deadlines.
- An understanding of the IT sales process.
- experience in the IT industry, proposal writing, and software, such as MS Word, Adobe InDesign, Microsoft Publisher, or Adobe Photoshop.
- Good working knowledge of MS Office or Google Docs.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- A positive attitude
Proposal Writer Job Description Example 2 – Pharmaceuticals
A proposal writer is responsible for creating compelling scientific proposals and contracts that can win over potential clients and partners in the pharmaceutical industry. Proposal writers must have a deep understanding of the ICHQ10 processes and the needs of potential customers. Most employers in this industry require someone with a background in science or engineering to convert complex topics into well-organized documents.
Job responsibilities of a proposal writer:
- Develop and write proposals for new scientific contracts and programs
- Work with internal teams to gather information and develop concepts
- Research potential customers and competitors
- Have a strong understanding of the regulatory landscape in the pharmaceutical industry
- Develop clear and concise arguments
- Have excellent time management skills
- Work with therapeutic and operational experts to develop the core strategy for trial success across all clinical phases of drug development.
- Convey this strategy in a concise and compelling narrative text
- Write quality proposals outlining a well-written and clear strategy
- Serve as the storyteller in clinical trial solutions or scientific contracts
- Be a part of a supportive team of writers who share knowledge and expertise to ensure quality, consistency, and professional growth
- Translate complex scientific concepts into layman’s terms and skilled at building consensus among diverse stakeholders
Requirements
- At least a bachelor’s degree in business administration, social sciences, or equivalent
- Excellent command of written and spoken English
- 4 years of proposal writing work experience within an international or local NGO
- Conceptualize, design, and plan to prepare reports and proposals
- Convincingly plan the work and meet demanding deadlines
- Establish working relationships with the government and non-government organizations
- Build close working relationships and trust with the program team
- Build strong lines of communication with the stakeholders and within the team
Proposal Writer Job Description Example 3 – Consulting
A proposal writer’s job description at consulting companies is to research and write proposals to win new contracts for their employers. Think about writing business proposals for digital marketing agencies, software development companies, and legal consulting companies.
Proposal writers must have a strong understanding of the consulting industry to articulate their company’s unique value proposition. They must also be adept at writing persuasive, compelling copy that speaks to the client’s needs.
Proposal writers must be able to work independently and manage multiple deadlines. As a result, proposal writers for consulting companies are in high demand.
Here are the responsibilities of a proposal writer in the consulting industry.
Job responsibilities of a proposal writer:
- Write clear, persuasive, and articulate proposal sections
- Translate technical and other ideas into understandable text
- Rewrite and review proposal sections and related proposal documents
- Research, write, and organize information in a professional and credible manner
- Review products, services, and/or business ideas
- Attend meetings with the client to translate requirements into proposals
- Prioritize responsibilities to meet deadlines
- Make edits and revisions as per the requirements
- Maintain consistency by following company policies
- Work with the design team to create compelling visuals
- Give presentations to the executive board
Requirements
- A Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, English, or a related field
- 3+ years of previous proposal writing experience
- Strong knowledge and experience of Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and other word processing documents
- Excellent computer and organizational skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
Proposal Writer Job Description Example 4 – NGO
Proposal writers for NGOs must wear many hats. A proposal writer for an NGO conveys the organization’s mission and goals concisely.
As a proposal writer, you also need to capture potential donors’ attention and articulate why their support is essential.
Proposal writers must have a keen understanding of the NGO’s needs and identify how potential donors can help meet them.
They should also develop relationships with potential donors and build trust. The goal of a proposal writer is to secure funding for the NGO so that it can continue its essential work.
Job responsibilities of a proposal writer:
- Read and analyze solicitation, proposal documents, and develop proposals
- Work with the technical lead and other team members to understand proposal planning
- Conduct meetings and identify opportunities
- Develop technical solutions in design meetings
- Draft accurate, responsive, compelling text for proposals, including background/context, executive summary, technical approach overview, activity components, and technical annexes
- Work with the proposal team and designers to develop visually compelling graphics
- Collaborate with the team to improve and streamline the proposal development process
- Support the development and maintenance of the proposal content library, including capability statements, research papers, past performances, management plans, and other related proposal content
Requirements
- A post-graduate university degree in journalism or a relevant field
- 5 years of proposal writing or grant writing experience
- A proven experience by proposal win rate and donor amount
- A proven ability to multitask, flexible, and responsive to prioritizing responsibilities
- Proven experience conducting in-depth interviews with subject matter specialists or groups (in a business arrangement) and converting information into meaningful proposals
- Ability to gather information
- Strong working knowledge of MS Office programs
- Firm grip over the English language
- Team player and aware of different cultures to work in an international setting
Best Practices for Writing Job Descriptions
When writing job descriptions for proposal writers, the goal is to attract qualified candidates while clearly communicating the role’s expectations, responsibilities, and value. A well-crafted description not only improves hiring outcomes but also reflects your company’s professionalism and culture.
Focus on Clarity and Structure
Start by ensuring the job description is clear, readable, and organized. Use action verbs to describe each responsibility so candidates understand what the role involves. Structure duties and requirements into a bulleted list for easy scanning. This approach helps candidates quickly identify whether they meet key qualifications.
Highlight Role-Specific Responsibilities
Tailor descriptions to your organization’s proposal process. For instance, specify whether the role involves responding to RFPs or RFQs, working with subject matter experts, or managing proposal templates and content libraries. If your company uses proposal automation software, mention it so candidates know which tools they’ll be expected to master.
Emphasize Skills and Compliance Knowledge
Proposal writers operate in industries where compliance guidelines are critical. Clarify the level of familiarity required with compliance processes, style consistency, or client standards. For positions involving government or grant opportunities, detail the level of compliance or documentation required.
Write for Search and Candidate Appeal
Incorporate good SEO practices to increase visibility when posting online. Include terms like “proposal writer,” “grant writer,” or “RFP specialist,” as candidates often use these when searching for roles. Keep the tone engaging and professional, and ensure your content is aligned with your organization’s style guides.
Provide Context and Growth Opportunities
Explain how the role connects to company goals or growth. For example, mention whether the proposal writer will collaborate across departments or help streamline content-creation workflows. Candidates value roles that allow them to contribute strategically, so highlighting cross-functional collaboration and development potential can make your description more appealing.
Salary Expectations
Salary for proposal writers varies depending on experience, industry, geography, and organization size. Understanding these factors can help employers set competitive compensation and help candidates gauge fair market value for their skills.
National and Industry Averages
In the United States, the national average salary for proposal writers typically ranges from $36,000 to $134,000 per year. Entry-level writers or those in smaller organizations may earn closer to the lower end. In contrast, experienced writers in specialized industries, such as government contracting, pharmaceuticals, or IT, can exceed $100,000 annually. Senior proposal managers or leads may command even higher compensation, primarily when overseeing multiple RFPs or supervising writing teams.
Factors That Influence Pay
Several key elements affect proposal writer salaries:
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Experience: Writers with a proven track record of high win rates or complex RFP responses can negotiate higher pay.
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Industry: Salaries are often higher in technical or regulated sectors such as defense, healthcare, and technology, where compliance and subject-matter expertise are critical.
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Geography: Writers based in large metropolitan areas or regions with high costs of living, such as Washington D.C., New York, or San Francisco, tend to earn more than those in smaller markets.
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Organization Size: Larger corporations or global firms often pay more due to broader project scopes and higher proposal volume.
Local Market Considerations
For companies hiring locally, it’s important to benchmark salaries against your local market rather than relying solely on national averages. Salary levels can vary significantly depending on demand for skilled writers and regional economic activity. Reviewing local job postings and professional salary surveys can help set realistic expectations.
Suppose you are new to proposal writing and are looking to break in. In that case, we recommend taking our Proposal Writing Certification Course, where you will learn the fundamentals of being a proposal writer and how to write winning proposals.
