Manager, Proposal Support Operations

Location Designation: Fully Remote
Business Unit
Group Benefit Solutions delivers comprehensive insurance and absence management solutions for mid-size and large companies. Our work fosters a healthier, happier and more secure workforce, contributing to New York Life's legacy of being there when we're needed most. Here, you'll design, implement and support these solutions directly impacting customers' lives. At our core, we provide financial security and peace of mind to people through our absence, accident, disability, voluntary benefits and life insurance solutions.
Role Overview
The Manager, Proposal Support Operations is responsible for leading a remote team supporting proposal and RFP operations within Group Insurance Sales. This role oversees proposal execution, team development, operational excellence, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure high-quality, compliant, and timely proposal submissions that support business growth objectives. The position plays a key role in driving consistency, process improvement, knowledge management, and operational scalability across the proposal support function.
What You'll Do
Lead & Develop the Team
• Own new hire onboarding, training, and continuous development• Coach team members on how to effectively communicate the GBS story and value proposition through responses to questionnaires• Provide ongoing feedback, mentoring, and performance guidance• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing team environment• Create an environment focused on continuous improvement, knowledge sharing, and operational excellence• Support career development and succession planning across the team• Manage team workflow, prioritization, and resource allocation to support service delivery and quality expectations• Monitor team performance and provide coaching to drive consistency, accountability, and operational excellence
Drive Proposal Quality & Execution
• Oversee the end-to-end proposal process, from intake to final submission• Ensure proposals are accurate, compliant, and aligned with sales strategy• Review the Final Proposal Package• Provide guidance, oversight, and escalation support for complex and high-priority proposal opportunities• Monitor and drive team performance metrics including quality, turnaround time, SLA adherence, and finalist outcomes• Identify trends, risks, and process gaps and implement improvement plans to enhance proposal effectiveness• Support adoption of operational governance and reporting standards across the RFP function
Build Expertise & Capability
• Develop deep team knowledge of:
o GBS products and value-add positioning
o Compliance, contract standards, and client requirements
o Responses to product, bidding entity, and security-related questions
• Coach team on handling Data Processing Agreements, Master Service Agreements, compliance, and client/prospect inquiries• Reinforce adherence to approved content standards, response guidelines, and proposal best practices• Identify outdated or inconsistent content and escalate improvement opportunities to leadership• Support team adoption and effective use of proposal content libraries and knowledge management tools
Enable Process Excellence
• Train team on job aids, tools, and standard workflows• Ensure effective use of:
o Project plans and tracking tools
o Content libraries and proposal systems
• Guide team on where to go for support (IT, SMEs, Underwriting, Sales)• Drive operational consistency, proposal efficiency, and quality outcomes• Execute bi-weekly Process Confirmations on standard work• Support implementation and adoption of proposal technologies, workflow tools and automation initiatives• Champion continuous improvement and operational transformation efforts across the RFP function• Reinforce adherence to standard operating procedures, workflows, and quality expectations• Identify process gaps and escalate improvement opportunities to leadership
Partner Across the Business
• Collaborate with Sales, Underwriting, SMEs, Legal, and IT partners• Provide guidance on:
o When and how to engage SMEs, Underwriting, and Sales
o Escalating risks and resolving issues quickly
• Support alignment across stakeholders to drive winning outcomes
What You'll Bring
Required Skills
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience preferred• 5+ years of experience in RFP, proposal management, underwriting operations, sales support, or related operational leadership roles• 2+ years of people leadership experience with demonstrated success coaching, developing, and elevating team performance• Strong knowledge of RFP/RFI lifecycle management, proposal strategy, and questionnaire response development• Experience supporting complex Group Benefits products and understanding of underwriting, compliance, security questionnaires, and contractual requirements• Proven ability to lead in a fast-paced, high-volume environment while balancing quality, service, and deadlines
Preferred Skills:
• Experience working within Group Benefits, insurance, or employee benefits environments• Familiarity with proposal automation tools, content management systems, or workflow technologies• Strong operational improvement, change management, and process optimization experience• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and cross-functional collaboration skills
Pay Transparency
Salary Range: $70,000-$90,000
Overtime eligible: Exempt
Discretionary bonus eligible: Yes
Sales bonus eligible: No
Actual base salary will be determined based on several factors but not limited to individual's experience, skills, qualifications, and job location. Additionally, employees are eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. In addition to base salary, employees may also be eligible to participate in an incentive program.
Company Overview
At New York Life, our 180-year legacy of purpose and integrity fuels our future. As we evolve into a more technology-, data-, and AI-enabled organization, we remain grounded in the values that drive lasting impact.
Our diverse business portfolio creates opportunities to make a difference across industries and communities-inviting bold thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and purpose-driven innovation. Here, you'll find the rare balance of long-standing stability and forward momentum, supported by an inclusive team that honors tradition while embracing progress.
As a Fortune 100 mutual company, we offer a place to grow your skills, contribute to meaningful work, and deliver solutions that matter. Your ideas drive what's next, and your growth powers it.
Our Benefits
We provide a full package of benefits for employees - and have unique offerings for a modern workforce, including leave programs, adoption assistance, and student loan repayment programs. Based on feedback from our employees, we continue to refine and add benefits to our offering, so that you can flourish both inside and outside of work.Click hereto discover more about our comprehensive benefit options or visit our NYL Benefits Site.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
At New York Life, fostering an inclusive workplace is fundamental to who we are and how we serve our communities. We have a longstanding commitment to creating an environment where individuals can contribute their best and succeed together. This foundation is rooted in our core values of humanity and integrity, ensuring that every employee feels valued and supported. By embracing a broad range of perspectives and experiences, we achieve greater success and fulfill our promise of providing financial security and peace of mind to families across all communities. Click here to learn more about New York Life's leadership in this space.
Recognized as one of Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies, New York Life is committed to improving local communities through a culture of employee giving and volunteerism, supported by the Foundation. We're proud that due to our mutuality, we operate in the best interests of our policy owners. To learn more about career opportunities at New York Life, please visit the Careers page of www.NewYorkLife.com.
Visit our LinkedIn to see how our employees and agents are leading the industry and impacting communities.
Visit our Newsroom to learn more about how our company is constantly evolving to meet our clients' and employees' needs.
Job Requisition ID: 94076