Job description
We are Skyward.
That is, a love for people, for improvement, for human advancement through information technology. We are a people-centered business with a desire to serve others. We are diverse and unified; creative and collaborative; a collection of complementary, not competing talents. And though on the surface we remain relaxed, beneath, a torrent of energy links us to our civic tech mission.
We stand by our values, and we won’t compromise on any of them.
Integrity: We’re conscientious, intentional, and empathetic. Our words and actions align. That’s our character. Please don’t ask us to play another part, we’re poor actors.
Compassionate: If we may borrow a quote from Theodore Roosevelt: “No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.” Because our team is thoughtful and supportive, caring deeply for each other, our clients, and our work, this comes naturally.
Inquisitive: We remain students by failing openly and turning lessons into solutions.
Unconventional: For us, life isn’t what happens outside of work. Work happens inside of life and our culture erases the line often dividing the two.
Authentic: Made possible only because we embody the values listed above. We’re relaxed and fun yet intensely curious and driven. Team members are placed with thought, care, and precision to ensure that Trust, Truth, and Transparency continue to represent our brand.
Because of that, we continue Onward, Upward, and Skyward.
We need a Proposal Writer.
Are you a storyteller, a compliance whisperer, and a collaborative powerhouse? Do you blend creativity with compliance, turn requirements into narratives and RFPs into real-world impact? If you’re someone who thrives in the fast lane, embraces smart tech (hello, AI tools), and believes storytelling can win hearts and contracts, then you’re exactly who we are looking for.
Come join us if you’re motivated to learn from others, to learn from mistakes, to be part of a future-looking and growth-oriented team.
What you’ll do:
- Research the heck out of government agencies, contracts, and competitors to ensure that Skyward’s efforts to win government contracts are informed by data-driven analysis and competitive intelligence.
- Gather all the information that is available (for example, databases and portals, agency-specific websites, industry news and publications, social media and LinkedIn) to help Skyward win new business by providing strategic analysis.
- Write compelling, compliant, and well-structured proposals in response to government and commercial Request for Proposals (RFPs), Request for Quotations (RFQs), and Request for Information (RFI).
- Support our Proposal Manager throughout the proposal process by creating response schedules, meeting proposal deadlines by establishing priorities and target dates for information gathering, writing, review, and approval, coordinating requirements with contributors, and contributing proposal status information during review meetings.
- Review and edit resumes and utilize a content library to create response content.
- Work through multiple revisions and ensure that proposals are compliant by addressing all customer requirements.
What we’d like you to have:
- Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Marketing or Communications, or comparable work experience.
- At least 2 years of experience writing responses to federal government proposals.
- At least 1 year of experience in proposal development and production process using the Shipley Proposal Method (or other nationally recognized process).
- Microsoft Office Suite experience. You can navigate Word and Excel with your eyes closed.
- Experience writing complex technical information and proficiency in English grammar.
- Excellent organizational skills: You can organize your thoughts against RFP requirements and match the evaluation criteria. You can also organize your files within the proposal library like a pro.
- Ability to, in writing, differentiate us from our competitors.
- Time management, specifically as it relates to proposal process timelines.
- Attention to detail and exceptional follow-up skills.
What would blow us away:
- You have a deep understanding of agile and civic tech/gov tech.
- You’re an analytical thinker with a strategic approach to writing.
Even if you don’t meet 100% of the qualifications, we encourage you to apply. At Skyward, we’re focused on hiring individuals with the right skills and passion to grow, not just checking off every box.
And now the important part. What we offer you:
- Medical, dental, vision insurance (fully paid for employees)
- 15 days of paid leave
- 7 days of sick leave
- 2 days bereavement leave
- 11 paid Federal holidays
- Up to 40 hours for jury duty
- 401K with 4% employer contribution (and no vesting period)
- Up to 4 weeks of paid paternity and maternity leave
- Company provided laptop
- $5,000 per year for professional development
- $600 per year for technical supplies and equipment
- $2,000 referral bonus
- Life and disability insurance
- HSA and FSA
- Legal Shield and ID Shield Voluntary Benefits
- Opportunity to work in a collaborative, motivated team focused on modernizing government services with cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions. Who says government work can’t be exciting!
$75,000 - $90,000 a year
We believe great work deserves great pay. That’s why we ensure our compensation is not only competitive but also fair and transparent, as required by Maryland law. Expect a salary that matches your skills, experience, and the value you bring to the table — because you’re worth it!
At Skyward, we are committed to creating an environment where everyone, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or background, can thrive. We support flexible working hours and remote opportunities to help maintain a healthy work-life balance for all employees, including caregivers and those with unique needs.
At Skyward, we are committed to creating an environment where everyone, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or background, can thrive. We support flexible working hours and remote opportunities to help maintain a healthy work-life balance for all employees, including caregivers and those with unique needs.
Offers of employment with Skyward are contingent upon acceptable results of a background investigation.
Applicants must have the ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust security clearance due to the nature of our work as a government contractor.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
