Senior Pursuit Specialist, Federal

Your Opportunity 

Reporting directly to the Pursuit Team Manager, the Senior Pursuit Specialist collaborates with cross-BOU leadership and pursuit teams to drive successful proposal, pursuit and marketing activities for must-win, strategic pursuits across Canada in support of the Canada Federal Program Team’s business development objectives. The role includes oversight, coordination, and delivery on all aspects of complex proposals involving multiple contributors, including working with technical teams to brainstorm strategy and messaging, create and execute pursuit-specific marketing campaigns, develop win plans, identify unique and applicable qualifications, develop content, undertake compliance assurance, and manage the schedule/deadlines/process.

The role also includes working with a larger Stantec team of marketing, business development, public relations, and communications professionals to build our brand awareness and identify market opportunities for top line growth. Success is represented by the development of Stantec’s relationship with key clients, building of the reputation of the firm, and our success at winning work. 

Your Key Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and direct all elements of complex RFP and pursuit efforts, including solicitation analysis, response planning, and schedule development.
• Preposition for must-win strategic pursuits, including developing win themes and unique value propositions, capture planning, competitor analysis, and leading strategic planning sessions prior to RFP release.
• Facilitate Go/No-Go discussions and apply an objective and critical analysis of our position to win opportunities. 
• Lead proposal kickoff meetings, including developing win strategy for each section, assigning responsibilities, developing and managing the schedule, and coordinating pursuit team activities.
• Manage content development to ensure consistent strategic messaging and compliance, including converting and integrating technical content provided by various authors and subject matter experts into a cohesive, compelling, and well-written narrative that highlights the firm’s unique value propositions and win themes.
• Conduct progress reviews and manage proposal schedules, deliverables, and quality control.
• Prepare final proposal review packages and incorporate team and leadership feedback into final submissions.
• Lead and organize interview preparation (in-person or virtual) to develop winning presentations and effectively communicate our proposal story.
• Develop high-impact proposals, presentations, and pursuit-related communications in alignment with brand standards.
• Support client development and account management efforts, including opportunity tracking and positioning activities and client relationship management planning.
• Partner with promotions and public relations teams to support thought leadership initiatives, award submissions, conference abstracts, and promotional activities.
• Maintain and update internal systems related to opportunity tracking, people and project experience, and promotional activity.
• Develop and maintain qualification materials such as project descriptions, experience matrices, resumes, capability statements, and other business development resources.
• Leverage local and global internal networks to support marketing processes, pursuit strategies, and value propositions.

Your Capabilities and Credentials

• Proven experience leading responses to complex and detailed RFPs. Experience with Federal proposals is preferred.
• Excellent verbal and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across multiple levels of the organization.
• Exceptional business writing skills with demonstrated experience crafting tailored responses to RFPs. 
• Demonstrated proficiency to appropriately integrate the use of AI into daily work flows to improve efficiency and workflows.
• Highly detail-oriented and organized, with exceptional prioritization and time management skills.
• Strong understanding of proposal strategy, compliance, and quality control processes.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office, and web-based collaboration and content management tools.
• Proficiency with Adobe InDesign and Acrobat. 
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within cross-functional teams across multiple geographies. Effectively balance conflicting priorities.
• Comfortable working in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments and managing multiple concurrent pursuits.
• Bilingualism is an asset.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Marketing, Communications, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of related experience in a pursuit role. A/E/C industry experience preferred.
• Proven experience leading responses to complex and detailed RFPs.
• Excellent verbal and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across multiple levels of the organization.
• Exceptional business writing skills with demonstrated experience crafting tailored responses to RFPs. 

At Stantec, we have some of the world’s leading professionals passionate about enabling our business to be its best. Our business teams include finance, procurement, human resources, information technology, marketing, corporate development, HSSE, real estate, legal, and practice services. We bring diverse backgrounds, skills, and expertise and create a caring culture where everyone can thrive. Through teamwork and collaboration, we’re building a stronger, more resilient Stantec every day.