Job Summary:
Animax Designs creates extraordinary three-dimensional characters for the themed entertainment, location-based entertainment, commercial, film, and television industries. We are currently seeking a Proposal Writer to work at our facility in Nashville, TN.
The Proposal Writer is responsible for gathering documentation and information from internal team members, developing the information into a comprehensive proposal, and authoring the written response. This will include collecting project approach information and other technical information from the internal team and articulating that information in a well written, well-structured narrative. Additionally, this role will be responsible for compiling cover letters, employee bio’s, and other components of the proposal itself.
The Proposal writer will be required to develop highly competitive bids/proposals, while ensuring the response is well structured, descriptive of our approach, and understood by the client/prospect. The position requires substantial knowledge with respect to the processes associated with the design and build of robotic/animatronic characters, show action equipment, puppets and costume characters for Theme Parks and other Location Based Entertainment.
The ideal candidate must have strong technical acumen, writing, organizational and interpersonal skills, be able to work well with all levels of the organization, be detail-oriented, and have proficiency in responses to RFPs, RFQs & RFIs. They will also find ease working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with accuracy while creating compelling, best-in-class proposals.
This role reports to the Director of Business Capture and will be a part of the Business Capture team.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Responsible for capturing all relevant information and crafting that information into a well written (clear, succinct, effective) proposal.
Collaborate with Directors and Managers to identify the project approach that can then be translated into the proposal.
Articulate accurate and concise clarifications, assumptions and risks.
Review and understand all provided proposal documents to ensure our proposal response aligns with required submission components and formatting
Build and maintain proposal writing tools and processes to support the scaling and growth of the company overall
Compose and edit materials for all new business pursuits, including presentations, proposals, research papers and other business correspondence as requested to support initiatives
Develop and maintain a database of best-in-class responses inclusive of project case studies, employee bio’s, technical approaches, etc, to aid in future responses
Work with Business Capture team as well as the Creative Director and other company leadership to develop copy that is on-brand, and on-strategy
Develop deep understanding of the design/build/fabrication process/approach
Possesses and maintains thorough knowledge of industry specific information including design/build/fabrication process approaches
Ensure proposals are complete, accurate and submitted as required
Respond to all inquiries and requests in a timely and professional manner
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Mechatronics, English, Communications, or a related field
Minimum 5 years of writing experience
At least 2 years’ experience in theme parks, or themed entertainment projects
Knowledgeable in the majority of the following: Maya animation and rigging, mechanical design & engineering, controls and electrical systems, machining, sculpting, mold making, casting, painting, soft goods fabrication, costuming, assembly and the impact of these processes or systems on the development of animatronics, puppets and costume characters.
Thorough understanding of industry practices, processes, standards, etc. and their impact on project activities
Expert-level skills in MS Office Suite, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook, as well as Adobe Acrobat and InDesign
A strong knowledge of RFP and proposal process
Commitment to excellence and high standards
Good judgement with the ability to make timely and sound decisions
Creative, flexible, and innovative team player
Ability to work independently and as a member of various teams
Proven administrative skills, including the ability to complete varied work tasks on schedule, and lead deliverable efforts by others; and the proven ability to manage documents.
Initiative, skill, and personal commitment to manage multiple proposals and details concurrently.
Excellent time management, verbal & written communication and interpersonal (tact, diplomacy, influence, etc.) skills
Proven leadership skills with the ability to manage change
Self-confidence with strong personal brand leadership skills
Preferred Skills
A degree in English, editing, communications, journalism, technical writing, or related fields a plus
Understanding of animatronics, sophisticated puppetry and costuming, from design through assembly and installation.
High degree of personal and business integrity with an ability to inspire others