Proposals Creative Design Lead

Job Summary

Aptive is seeking a Proposals Creative Design Lead to join our Bids and Proposals Team. This role is accountable for building, scaling, and continuously improving Aptive’s proposal graphics capability, including the processes, reusable assets, templates, AI-enabled workflows, and standards that help proposal teams produce compelling, compliant, and differentiated responses faster and more consistently. The right candidate is both a hands-on designer and a systems thinker. They will produce high-quality proposal visuals, but their larger value will come from creating a compounding capability: a graphics process and library that make each future proposal easier, faster, and stronger.

Primary Responsibilities

Core Responsibilities

• Own the proposal graphics operating model: Manage the end-to-end process for graphics intake, prioritization, concepting, reviews, version control, finalization, storage, reuse, and post-submission improvement.
• Build and govern the graphics library: Create and maintain a searchable, reusable library of editable graphics, templates, icons, visual frameworks, PowerPoint/Word layouts, usage guidance, metadata, and approved source files.
• Improve proposal visual storytelling: Partner with capture, proposal, solution, and delivery teams to translate complex ideas into clear, persuasive visuals, including workflows, staffing models, transition plans, governance structures, differentiators, and management approaches.
• Produce high-quality proposal graphics: Develop graphics, oral presentation visuals, layouts, and other design assets that are compliant, brand-aligned, submission-ready, and tailored to federal client requirements.
• Enable AI-supported graphics workflows: Evaluate, implement, and refine AI-enabled tools and practices that accelerate ideation, first-draft visuals, asset discovery, template adaptation, formatting, and quality checks while maintaining appropriate human review.
• Establish standards and guardrails: Define visual design standards, brand expectations, review practices, and responsible AI use guidelines, including accuracy, originality, copyright/IP, client sensitivity, and compliance considerations.
• Train and support proposal teams: Create easy-to-use tools, examples, checklists, and guidance so proposal managers, writers, capture leads, and solution architects can request, review, adapt, and reuse graphics effectively.
• Drive continuous improvement: Use proposal lessons learned, team feedback, and usage data to improve templates, visual patterns, library content, workflows, and adoption over time.
• Support proposal production: Assist with desktop publishing, final formatting, quality reviews, file naming, file maintenance, version control, and deadline-driven production needs when required.

Success Measures

Success in this role will be measured not only by the quality of individual graphics, but by the compounding value created for the proposal organization. Indicators of success include:

• Higher reuse of approved graphics, templates, and visual frameworks.
• Faster turnaround for common proposal visuals and reduced late-stage rework.
• Improved consistency, quality, and compliance of proposal graphics and documents.
• Increased adoption of the graphics library, design standards, and AI-enabled workflows.
• Greater proposal team confidence and self-service capability for graphics development.

Minimum Qualifications

• 10+ years of graphic design experience, including federal proposals and presentations.
• Bachelor’s degree or major in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Advanced proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Office; experience with proposal production and desktop publishing tools.
• Experience building or managing reusable design assets, templates, graphics libraries, brand systems, or visual standards.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex technical, operational, or management concepts into clear visual stories.
• Experience creating processes, standards, training materials, or enablement resources for non-design users.
• Familiarity with AI-enabled design, productivity, or content-generation tools and sound judgment about responsible use.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience supporting high-volume, deadline-driven federal RFx responses and oral presentations.
• Strong time management, creativity, problem-solving skills, and attention to detail.
• Ability to balance hands-on production work with scalable process improvement.
• Comfort working across multiple concurrent proposal teams with shifting priorities and occasional evening/weekend deadlines.
• Outstanding written, verbal, and visual communication skills.

About Aptive

Aptive is a modern federal consulting firm focused on human experience, digital services, and business transformation. We harness creativity, technology, and culture to connect people and systems to impact the world. We’re advisors, strategists, and engineers focused on people, above all else.

We believe in generating success collaboratively, leaving client organizations stronger after every engagement and building trust for the next big challenge. Our work inspires people, fuels change and makes an impact. Join our team to be part of positive change in your community and our nation.

EEO Statement

Aptive is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, parental status, veteran status, age, disability, or any other protected class.

Veterans, members of the Reserve and National Guard, and transitioning active-duty service members are highly encouraged to apply.