Senior Proposal Specialist

Just Right Reader is a forward-thinking curriculum provider committed to advancing literacy for students from Birth through 12th Grade. Our comprehensive resources are designed to support all learners, including upper-grade students requiring additional intervention and Newcomers developing foundational skills. Grounded in the Science of Reading, our high-quality materials and tools equip educators with the support they need to accelerate achievement and foster lifelong readers.

Just Right Reader is seeking a strategic and detail-oriented Senior Proposal Specialist to join our team in developing high-quality, competitive proposals in response to requests for proposals (RFPs), bids (RFBs), and other procurement solicitations. This role is ideal for a seasoned proposal writer with extensive experience managing the RFx process to secure new business opportunities and funding. This role requires excellent writing skills, a deep understanding of the education sector, and the ability to work under tight and sometimes simultaneous deadlines.

The Senior Proposal Specialist will work cross-functionally with product, sales, implementation, and executive teams to craft compelling, persuasive narratives that position Just Right Reader’s offerings as best-in-class solutions grounded in the Science of Reading.

Key Responsibilities:

Proposal Development & Writing:

• Collaborate with the Business Development team to source and capture open opportunities.
• Lead end-to-end proposal development for RFPs, RFIs, and other solicitations from federal, state, and local education agencies.
• Collaborate with various departments to gather necessary information and align proposal content with strategic objectives.
• Write, edit, and format technical, instructional, and narrative content with clarity and precision to meet company standards and proposal guidelines.
• Tailor proposal responses to align with the specific needs, goals, and terminology of each district or agency

Strategic Positioning & Customization:

• Analyze RFP requirements to ensure a thorough understanding and compliance with all directives.
• Collaborate with cross-teams to develop a proposal strategy that outlines themes, discriminators, and key messages tailored to each opportunity.
• Translate product strengths, data, and case studies into persuasive language aligned with solicitation scoring rubrics.
• Ensure responses highlight differentiation, district alignment, impact, and instructional rigor.

Project & Deadline Management:

• Utilize the project management system workflow
• Strictly adhere to the departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and proposal management best practices
• Coordinate with team members across departments to ensure contributions are accurate and timely.
• Adhere to the detailed proposal calendar, assigned timeline and tasks, coordinate deliverables, and ensure on-time submission of complete, compliant proposals.

Content Development:

• Partner closely with business development, implementation, and product teams to ensure accurate and up-to-date representation of services and capabilities.
• Collaborate with the RFx team to update a repository of proposal content, templates, and standard responses.
• Collaborate with the product and RFx team to develop and refine boilerplate content, ensuring it is current, compelling, and technically accurate.

Review and Quality Assurance:

• Conduct thorough reviews and revisions of proposal drafts to ensure clarity, compliance, and competitiveness.
• Guarantee all proposals meet internal standards and client expectations following the SOP guidelines.

What we’re looking for:

• At least 5 years of experience in RFP writing and proposal management, preferably in education, curriculum development, or nonprofit sectors.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills with strong attention to tone, grammar, and structure, with a proven ability to produce precise, persuasive, and concise documents.
• Proven track record in managing complex proposals and meeting tight deadlines.
• Strong understanding of the K–12 educational procurement processes and priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, PDF tools, and project management platforms.
• Organized, proactive, and comfortable managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Collaborative, coachable, and enthusiastic about mission-driven work.
• Adept at interpreting complex RFP documents and translating requirements into clear checklists and action plans.
• Creative thinker who enjoys storytelling, data-informed persuasion, and strategy.
• Strong analytical skills with high attention to detail.
• Bachelor’s degree in Education, English, Communications, Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field. Advanced degree preferred.

Preferred experience in:

• Educational publishing, curriculum solutions, or edtech, and passionate about expanding literacy access and accelerating student achievement. 
• Familiarity with the Science of Reading and literacy-focused instructional models.

Why Join Us:

At Just Right Reader, we’re transforming how children learn to read. You'll be part of a passionate, growing team committed to educational equity, literacy innovation, and joyful learning. 

• Mission-driven company focused on improving literacy and education outcomes.
• Collaborative and innovative work environment with opportunities for growth and development.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.

The salary for this position is set at the national industry average and, depending on experience and qualifications, ranges from $80,000 to $95,000 annually.