Marketing and Pursuit Specialist

Harris & AssociatesCalifornia, United StatesOnsite

Marketing and Pursuit Specialist

Job Summary:The Marketing and Pursuits Specialist independently leads complex, high-profile proposals and interview pursuits. This position requires deep A/E/C industry experience, a strong understanding of client and teaming dynamics, and the ability to refine pursuit strategies that elevate win potential. This individual will work closely with technical teams, business development leaders, and executives to ensure that proposals and presentations resonate with clients, clearly articulate differentiators, and align with market trends.

In addition, this role will leverage strong industry relationships to strengthen teaming strategies, enhance proposal positioning, and bring competitive intelligence to the pursuit process.We are seeking a proactive and collaborative team player who excels in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments and has the expertise to confidently guide teams through the client management and pursuit lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities:

Proposal Management:• Independently lead major, high-value proposals, from RFP release to production, ensuring compelling, strategic, and compliant responses to RFQs and RFPs.• Develop pursuit strategies that integrate client insights, market intelligence, and competitive positioning.• Work closely with technical staff, subject matter experts, and business development leaders to write proposals and develop visuals that emphasize Harris’ value proposition and unique differentiators.• Manage proposal schedules, kickoff meetings, and content development, ensuring timely and high-quality submissions. • Elevate content quality by refining messaging, integrating storytelling techniques, and strengthening visual communication. • Collaborate with teaming partners and subcontractors to develop strategic, well-coordinated responses that reflect a seamless approach. • Ensure compliance with procurement requirements, including Good Faith Efforts (GFE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation, and other requirements mandated for public-sector and government-funded projects.Interview & Presentation Support:• Independently lead technical teams and subconsultants through high-stakes interview preparation, ensuring alignment with client priorities and proposal themes.• Develop engaging presentation materials, graphics, and storytelling frameworks that differentiate Harris from competitors.• Provide strategic coaching to project teams to enhance delivery and Q&A response strategies, in-person as necessary. • Collaborate with business development leaders to fine-tune presentation messaging based on client hot buttons and decision-making factors.• Facilitate mock interviews to refine team performance and increase confidence in live presentations.Industry Engagement & Strategic Positioning• Leverage existing client and teaming partner relationships to strengthen pursuit strategies and increase Harris’ visibility in key markets.• Stay informed on market trends, competitor strategies, and client priorities, integrating these insights into pursuit approaches.• Represent Harris at industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities to support pre-positioning efforts and relationship-building.• Work closely with business development to identify potential teaming opportunities and strategic partnerships for future pursuits.Knowledge Management and Continuous Improvement• Contribute to proposal database management, content development, and best practices to enhance efficiency and consistency. • Analyze win/loss trends to refine pursuit strategies and improve future proposal success rates. • Actively the ongoing refinement of proposal processes, tools, and templates to enhance overall pursuit effectiveness.

Marketing + Communications

• Supports Marketing + Communications team on marketing campaigns, internal communications, project awards, events and conferences, and other special projects.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, Journalism, Graphic Design, or a related field.• A minimum of 12 years of marketing experience in the A/E/C industry (PMCM experience preferred) with a proven track record of leading marketing functions and driving strategic initiatives.• Deep understanding of A/E/C and PMCM industry trends, market positioning, and competitive landscapes.• Actively engaged in the industry, with strong professional relationships and a well-established network of clients, partners, and industry associations.• Experience managing CRM systems (Deltek Vantagepoint preferred) to track pursuits, client interactions, and market intelligence.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, ensuring precision, quality, and attention to detail in all deliverables.• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) and Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).• Strong writing, editing, and strategic messaging skills, with a strong ability to develop persuasive and technically sound content tailored to client needs.• Strong understanding of AI tools and emerging technologies to enhance proposal development, content generation, and marketing automation.• Exceptional problem-solving and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple high-stakes deadlines and competing priorities.• Blend of technical expertise and business acumen, coupled with strong leadership, communication, and strategic thinking capabilities.• Outstanding interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence and align cross-functional teams, technical experts, and executives.• Strong presentation and executive communication skills, demonstrating confidence, clarity, and a polished professional presence.• Alignment with Harris’ Shared Values, Purpose, and Vision, fostering a culture of collaboration, excellence, and growth.

Compensation & Benefits

The salary for this role is $92,000 - $125,000. This will be dependent on the experience and expertise of the incoming candidate.We offer competitive salaries and benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. Harris & Associates is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an EEO/AA employer. We invite resumes from all interested and qualified candidates including women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities.Harris & Associates is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation,

Life at Harris & Associates

Harris & Associates is a singular source for the many highly-experienced professionals needed to successfully complete today's complex planning, construction, and design projects: Gifted engineers, public finance wizards, and shrewd owners representatives. Trusted advisors who understand the interpersonal aspects as well as the technicalwho stay ahead of trends and can see what's coming around the corner. Driven by our shared values to build stronger communities where we live and work, Harris & Associates delivers results for clients across the West Coast in four key markets: education, municipal, transportation, and water. Make one call to Harris & Associates, and you'll see what responsiveness means. That's been the Harris Way since 1974. It's why public, private, and institutional clients keep coming back. Sure, there are bigger firms. We are sized to keep your project a priority, with a team of over 200 employee owners throughout the West Coast who are passionate about their workand about making you look heroic in yours.

Thrive Here & What We ValueCollaborative, forward-thinking team committed to innovation in asset management and public infrastructure</s> | 1. Collaborative environment at a firm that invests heavily in your growth | 2. 100% employeeowned company focused on solving today's complex challenges in planning, design, and construction solutions. | 3. Offices and project sites span the West Coast in California, Nevada, Hawaii, and Washington with a staff of over 260 employeeowners focused on serving clients in the municipal, water, transportation, and education markets. | 4. Growing Consulting Division does industryleading work in environmental planning and compliance, community planning and housing solutions, engineering design, and municipal and district finance. | 5. Expanding scope of services while also building new capabilities in planning, climate change/adaptation, hazard mitigation, resilience, and management consulting.</s> | Dynamic and High-Energy Environment | Focus on Personal and Professional Growth | Collaborative Work Environment | Prioritizing a Healthy Work-Life Balance | Social and Team Building Events</s> | EEO/AA employer committed to creating a diverse environment | Competitive salaries and benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance | Commitment to collaboration, excellence, and growth</s> | 2. Focus on solving today's complex challenges in planning, design, and construction of public infrastructure. | 3. 100% employeeowned company | 4. Commitment to creating a diverse environment | 5. EEO/AA employer</s> | 1. Employee Ownership | 2. Hybrid Work Plan (HWP) | 3. Diverse Environment | 4. EEO/AA Employer | 5. Commitment to Creating a Sustainable Community</s> | Diverse perspectives enhance our ability to better serve clients and their communities | Passionate about our work, clients, team's personal and professional growth | Mentorship program, on-the-job training, Harris University, and annual staff summit aimed at developing well-rounded consultants proficient in the full spectrum of services we provide | Prioritizing a healthy work-life balance and organizing social and team building events.</s> | 2. Work that makes a difference | 3. Firm that invests heavily in employee growth</s> | 1. Dynamic and highenergy environment | 2. Collaborative work environment | 3. Emphasis on personal and professional growth for employees | 4. Prioritizes a healthy worklife balance and organizes social and team building events.</s> | Diverse perspectives enhance ability to better serve clients and their communities | Passionate about work, clients, team's personal and professional growth | Mentorship program, on-the-job training, Harris University, and annual staff summit aimed at developing well-rounded consultants proficient in the full spectrum of services provided | Prioritize a healthy work-life balance and organize social and team building events.</s> | 1. 100% employeeowned company | 2. Focused on solving today's complex challenges in planning, design, and construction of public infrastructure | 3. Offices and project sites span the West Coast in California, Nevada, and Washington with a staff of over 260 employeeowners. | 4. Serve clients in the municipal, water, transportation, and education markets.</s> | 3. Investment in Employee Growth</s>

Marketing and Pursuit Specialist