Proposal Specialist

Description
At CDW, we make it happen, together. Trust, connection, and commitment are at the heart of how we work together to deliver for our customers. It's why we're coworkers, not just employees. Coworkers who genuinely believe in supporting our customers and one another. We collectively forge our path forward with a level of commitment that speaks to who we are and where we're headed. We're proud to share our story and Make Amazing Happen at CDW.
Job Summary
The Proposal Specialist with Graphic Design expertise is responsible for developing visually compelling, compliant, and persuasive proposal responses in support of sales efforts. This role blends strong proposal writing and coordination skills with advanced graphic design capabilities to produce high-quality, customer-facing documents that clearly communicate value, differentiate solutions, and align with brand standards. When the Proposal Specialist is not supporting proposals, they will partner with team members to create graphics and/or post-submission collateral like customer presentations.
What you will do
* Support end-to-end proposal development for RFPs, RFIs, RFQs, and proactive proposals
* Collaborate with proposal managers, sales teams, SMEs, pricing, and leadership to gather content
* Ensure proposals are compliant with customer instructions, evaluation criteria, and deadlines
* Edit, proofread, and format proposal content for clarity, consistency, and accuracy
* Manage multiple deadlines in fast-paced environments
* Incorporate feedback from proposal reviews and post-submission lessons learned
* Design and produce proposal graphics, including infographics, diagrams, workflows, timelines, process maps, charts, tables, data visualizations, cover designs, section dividers, and callout elements
* Apply visual storytelling principles to translate complex technical or business concepts into clear, compelling visuals
* Ensure all visuals align with corporate branding, accessibility standards, and proposal best practices
* Optimize layouts for readability and evaluator experience
* Leverage proposal automation and document tools (e.g., Word, PowerPoint, InDesign, proposal software platforms)
* Ensure consistent branding, typography, color usage, and formatting across all deliverables
* Stay current on proposal design trends, visual communication best practices, and accessibility guidelines
What we expect of you
* Bachelor's degree in Communications, Graphic Design, Marketing, English, or related field (or equivalent experience)
* 3+ years of experience in proposal development, technical writing, or proposal coordination
* Demonstrated experience producing professional graphics for proposals or client-facing documents
* Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint
* Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) or equivalent tools
* Strong attention to detail and ability to work under tight deadlines
* Experience supporting formal RFP responses in a corporate or government environment, is a plus
* Familiarity with proposal methodologies (e.g., Shipley, APMP best practices), is a plus
* Experience with proposal automation tools (e.g., QorusDocs, Loopio, RFPIO), is a plus
* Understanding of accessibility standards (Section 508 / WCAG), is a plus
* APMP certification (Foundation or Practitioner), is a plus Pay range: $67,000 - $97,200 depending on experience and skill set Annual bonus target of 5% subject to terms and conditions of plan Benefits overview: https://cdw.benefit-info.com/ Salary ranges may be subject to geographic differentials
* CDW is committed to being an AI-fluent organization
* We're looking for people who bring curiosity, a learner's mindset, and a willingness to engage with ever-evolving technology and tools. We value adopting AI as a partner, openness to experimentation, and a shared interest in learning together on AI. Our goal is to create a culture where AI enhances- not replaces- human creativity and decision-making. You don't need to be an expert today; what matters is your readiness to explore, adapt, and grow with us as we integrate AI responsibly and effectively into our work.Additionally, CDW is committed to fostering an equitable, transparent, and respectful hiring process for all applicants. During our application process, our goal is to understand your experience, strengths, skills, and qualifications. As an AI forward company, we see AI not just as a tool, but as a catalyst for new ways of thinking, creating, and communicating. We encourage candidates to embrace an AI mindset, one that's curious, adaptive, and ready to explore what's possible. We welcome thoughtful use of AI to expand your perspective and elevate how you share your story, while ensuring your application remains rooted in your own background, judgment, and voice.
* We make technology work so people can do great things.
* CDW is a leading multi-brand provider of information technology solutions to business, government, education and healthcare customers in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. A Fortune 500 company and member of the S&P 500 Index, CDW helps its customers to navigate an increasingly complex IT market and maximize return on their technology investments. Together, we unite. Together, we win. Together, we thrive. CDW is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited by state and local law.