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Strategy and Business Development Specialist

FirstDay FoundationColumbus, Texas

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Job Description

It's a great feeling to work for a company that does so much good for others around the world!

This is a fully remote, full-time position. Candidate may reside in any U.S. state.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Communications, or a related field. Minimum of two years of experience in proposal writing, market research, business development, or a related field. Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint).

Preferred Qualifications: Familiarity with grant writing, federal and state funding sources, and proposal management software. Demonstrate expert computer literacy and proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 applications: OneDrive, SharePoint, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word. 

Supervises: None

Summary of the Position: The Strategy and Business Development (SBD) Specialist supports the department’s day-to-day proposal and business development efforts, assisting primarily with proposal management, market research, and administrative tasks. This position supports the full proposal lifecycle, including opportunity tracking, RFP analysis, writing and editing support, and production of final deliverables to ensure high-quality proposal submissions. The SBD Specialist also contributes to pipeline management and the development of proposal tools, templates, and knowledge libraries. The SBD Specialist works closely with team members to maintain proposal and business development documentation, track industry trends, and provide insights that contribute to the foundation’s mission and support for affiliate agency growth.

Critical Action Items:

  • 1.    
  • Conduct opportunity research and market analysis to identify federal, state, and philanthropic funding opportunities, industry trends, and competitor positioning.
  • 2.    
  • Analyze solicitation requirements and provide clear summaries to inform bid/no-bid decisions and capture planning.
  • 3.    
  • Provide insights and data analysis to support business development strategies.
  • 4.    
  • Draft, edit, and compile proposal sections, ensuring compliance with RFP/RFA instructions, evaluation criteria, and organizational standards.
  • 5.    
  • Format, proofread, and finalize submissions to meet client, regulatory, and branding requirements.
  • 6.    
  • Coordinate proposal development efforts, including scheduling, task tracking, deadline monitoring, and facilitating cross-team communication.
  • 7.    
  • Identify and track potential business opportunities through CRM systems and market research.
  • 8.    
  • Maintain an updated database of leads, funding opportunities, and key industry contacts.
  • 9.    
  • Maintain and update the proposal knowledge base, including templates, past performance references, staff resumes, boilerplate language, and compliance matrices. Ensure all materials are up to date, well-organized, and compliant with best practices.
  • 10.    
  • Support content collection from subject matter experts (SMEs) by developing response outlines, data calls, document trackers and other artifacts.
  • 11.    
  • Prepare client-facing and internal deliverables, including proposal graphics, data visualizations, and executive summaries.
  • 12.    
  • Assist in post-submission activities, such as debrief tracking, lessons learned documentation, and continuous process improvement.
  • 13.    
  • Support communications and reporting to affiliate agencies regarding proposal status, pipeline updates, and business development initiatives.

    Measurable Deliverables:

  • 1.    
  • Return research requests within 48 hours unless otherwise specified by the requestor. Submit all other work products, including proposals and reports, on or before the established deadlines.
  • 2.    
  • Provide weekly opportunity presentations by compiling and delivering relevant market intelligence, solicitation summaries, and competitive insights.
  • 3.    
  • Support development of quarterly reports on departmental activities for the Board of Trustees and quarterly snapshots for affiliates, as well as contribute to the annual report by supplying accurate quantitative and qualitative proposal data.
  • 4.    
  • Achieve and maintain a minimum of 98% accuracy across research deliverables, proposal documents, compliance matrices, and business development tracking systems.

    Requirements:

  • 1.    
  • Ability to collect, interpret, and present industry and competitor data.
  • 2.    
  • Experience with writing, formatting, and compliance in proposal submissions.
  • 3.    
  • High level of accuracy in editing, formatting, and compliance verification.
  • 4.    
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to engage effectively with stakeholders, partners, and affiliates.
  • 5.    
  • Pass a pre-employment drug screen and random drug screens throughout employment.
  • 6.    
  • Provide proof of work eligibility status upon request.
  • 7.    
  • Pass a pre-employment and biennial criminal background checks, as required.
  • 8.    
  • Demonstrate computer literacy and proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 applications: OneDrive, SharePoint, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
  • 9.    
  • Flexibility to travel, work evenings, weekends and holidays as needed or requested by supervisor.English (United States)

    If you like to work with people that believe they can make a difference in the world, this is the company for you!

    EEO Statement

    In accordance with Title VII  of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other applicable federal and state laws (e.g., the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is our policy to provide equal employment opportunity and treat all employees equally regardless of race, religion, national origin, color, sex, or any other classification made unlawful or prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws, such as age, citizenship status, veteran or military status, or disability. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination.

    Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

    #LI-Business Development#LI-Entry Level#LI-Full-time

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