Proposal Writer, Senior

This posting is for SirsiDynix, Harris company. It is a full-time fully remote position in the US or Canada.

The Senior Proposal Writer is responsible for leading the development of compelling, compliant, and strategic proposals for integrated library systems (ILS), library services platforms (LSP), discovery tools, and related technology and services. This role bridges technical, functional, and library-domain expertise to clearly articulate how solutions support libraries in improving access, operations, and patron experience.

This individual partners closely with Sales, Research & Development, Professional Services, Support, Security, and other teams to produce high-quality responses to RFPs, RFIs, and RFQs from academic, public, and special libraries.

Key Responsibilities

1. Proposal Leadership & Execution

Lead end-to-end proposal development for library system procurements (ILS/LSP, discovery, digital resource management, analytics).

Analyze RFP requirements from libraries, consortia, and government entities to ensure complete compliance.

Develop proposal strategies aligned to procurement criteria such as functionality, interoperability, accessibility, and total cost of ownership.

Manage timelines, schedules, and deliverables across cross-functional teams.

2. Library & Technical Content Development

Write clear and persuasive responses describing

Circulation, cataloging, acquisitions, and ERM functionality

Discovery layers and user experience

Interoperability (e.g., MARC, BIBFRAME, APIs, SIP2, NCIP, Z39.50)

Cloud architecture, hosting, security, and data privacy

Translate technical platform capabilities into outcomes for librarians, faculty, and patrons.

Collaborate with product managers, solution consultants, and library SMEs.

3. Strategic Messaging & Value Positioning

Develop win themes focused on

Improved patron access and engagement

Operational efficiency for library staff

Support for digital transformation and open access

Integration with campus or municipal systems

Tailor messaging by segment (academic, public, consortia, K–12).

Craft compelling executive summaries and value narratives.

4. Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner with

Sales and Account Teams to align on opportunity strategy

Product and Engineering to validate technical accuracy

Implementation and Support teams to describe service delivery

Lead proposal review cycles (e.g., content reviews, compliance checks).

Coordinate inputs from distributed stakeholders, including international teams when applicable.

5. Compliance & Quality Assurance

Ensure full compliance with library procurement requirements, including mandatory forms, technical matrices, and pricing structures.

Maintain consistency in terminology (library standards, metadata formats, accessibility requirements such as WCAG).

Edit and proofread for clarity, accuracy, and professionalism.

6. Knowledge & Content Management

Maintain and enhance a reusable content library specific to library technology:

Standard responses for ILS/LSP functionality

Case studies and library success stories

Implementation methodologies and training approaches

Develop templates for common library procurement formats.

Continuously improve proposal processes and efficiency.

7. Competitive Positioning & Insights

Integrate knowledge of competing library platforms (e.g., Alma, WorldShare, Sierra, Polaris, Koha).

Highlight differentiators such as

Open architecture and APIs

User experience innovation

Analytics and reporting capabilities

Support win/loss reviews specific to library procurements.

Core Duties

Utilize our current Proposal Response software, Loopio, along with our suite of AI tools to write and edit detailed RFP responses for libraries and consortia.

Develop compliance matrices addressing hundreds to thousands of functional requirements.

Lead proposal kickoff meetings and define content strategy.

Align messaging with library priorities such as accessibility, equity, and digital access.

Customize proposals for each institution or consortium.

Support presentations, demos, and oral proposals to library stakeholders.

Mentor junior writers on library-specific content and standards.

Track proposal success metrics within the library market segment.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, English, Library Science, Information Systems, or related field.

5–10+ years of proposal writing experience, preferably in

Library technology

EdTech

Strong understanding of

Library operations and workflows

Metadata standards and interoperability

Cloud-based enterprise software solutions

Demonstrated experience responding to formal RFPs for public or academic institutions.

Exceptional writing, editing, and project management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS) or related field.

Detailed knowledge of Symphony ILS

Experience working directly with libraries (academic, public, or consortia).

Familiarity with accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and public procurement requirements.

Knowledge of trends such as open access, digital collections, and linked data.

Key Competencies

Ability to communicate complex library technologies in clear, customer-focused language

Strong understanding of librarian personas and institutional decision-making processes

Strategic thinking with a focus on winning competitive procurements

High attention to detail and compliance rigor

Ability to manage multiple large-scale proposals simultaneously

Typical Tools & Technologies

Proposal tools: Loopio, RFPIO, Qvidian

Collaboration: Microsoft Teams, SharePoint

Authoring: Microsoft Word, Excel (for compliance matrices), PowerPoint

CRM: Salesforce or equivalent

Knowledge of library systems and standards documentation

AI tools for searching, creating, editing of content

Key Success Factors

Delivering high-quality, compliant proposals that resonate with library stakeholders

Effectively translating technical capabilities into library-specific outcomes

Increasing win rates in competitive library procurements

Building a strong, reusable library-focused content base

Establishing credibility with internal teams and external library audiences

Salary range: $70,000 - $80,000 USD per year.

Originally posted on Himalayas