HERFF JONES, A VARSITY BRANDS COMPANY - THE MOST TRUSTED NAME IN CELEBRATING STUDENT MILESTONES

For over 100 years, Herff Jones is the leading provider of graduation, class rings and jewelry, yearbooks, as well as motivation and recognition programs designed to inspire achievement and create memorable experiences for students.  Focused on building long-term relationships through a nationwide network of over 2,000 employees and sales partners, the professionals at Herff Jones have been helping elevate the student experience throughout the lifelong journey of education.

HERFF JONES, SENIOR RFP MANAGER- REMOTE

LOCATION:

Indianapolis, IN or Remote

YOUR OPPORTUNITY:

The RFP Senior Manager will play a key role in supporting the sales operations function for both Herff Jones business units: Graduation and College. The RFP Senior Manager will be responsible for enforcing the standardized process for receiving, completing and submitting RFP’s for all Herff Jones Graduation business units. As a member of the Sales Operations team, this role will be pivotal in shaping and modernizing the RFP process across the organization. The RFP Senior Manager will have the opportunity to propose innovative ideas and solutions to the Sales Operations team, and manage a team focused on RFP preparation.

HERE'S HOW YOU’LL MAKE AN IMPACT:

The RFP Senior Manager will establish strong relationships with key stakeholders and work collaboratively cross functionally to achieve success. This role will be responsible for ensuring RFPs are submitted timely and accurately, in addition to reporting RFP results by business unit.

WHAT WE WANT YOU TO ACCOMPLISH:

• Identify and design the methodology for monitoring/identifying RFP or bid opportunities

• Partner with sales representatives, management, marketing, finance, legal and HR to execute bid and RFP responses

• Monitor and track bid and RFP outcomes across business units

• Coordinate pricing decisions with the Pricing & Commissions Team, CSRs and Sales Representatives

• Analyze RFP results and provide insight into areas of opportunity and/or risk to drive process improvements

• Continually grow and learn all areas of RFP management and delivery, including communications, marketing, product pricing, insurance, customer service and the overall corporate portfolio

• Manage staff focused on RFP preparation

CORE ACTIVITIES/WHAT YOU’LL DO ON A DAILY BASIS:

• Implement the RFP requirements under the process; organize the deliverables and identify parties accountable for key RFP deliverables

• Monitor deadlines for RFP submissions and use strong communication skills to ensure all parties are aligned and meet the required deadlines

• Track RFP results across business units; analyze results to identify trends, threats and opportunities across the country

•  Continuously improve the process as opportunities for improvement are identified

• Develop training materials for the RFP submission process through partnership with the Performance Development team

• Collaborate with Corporate Communications to effectively announce and roll-out new RFP submission/request guidelines

• Coordinate product-focused questions by working with SME’s (Subject Matter Experts) to obtain additional product knowledge, both for team resourcing and RFP execution

• Lead a team of RFP professionals and support staff, directing their work toward accomplishing RFP requirements and deadlines

SUCCESS INDICATORS/WHAT YOU’LL BRING TO THE TABLE:

• Proven success effectively communicating across multiple levels of the organization

• Strong presence and ability to engage in trusted advisor relationship

• Possess a high level of integrity. Communicate directly and truthfully, with strong ability to establish and maintain effective relationships

• Demonstrate sound business judgment, the ability to influence others, strong analytical skills and establish a track record of taking ownership, leading fact-based analyses, and influencing results

• Demonstrate a high level of organization and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously

• Proven ability and willingness to take accountability for process design and management

• Customer service oriented with an ability to partner with individuals at all levels and functions of the business

• Ability to think creatively, innovatively and strategically in making recommendations to senior leadership

• Demonstrated ability to execute in an ambiguous environment with competing priorities

• Embrace a leadership style based on the Herff Jones Core Values of achieving greatness, doing the right thing, being accountable, showing respect and being passionate 

EDUCATION / CERTIFICATIONS / SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field (Business Management, Marketing, Operations, Communications) or equivalent work experience

• 3-5 years of experience with handling and managing proposals or relevant business experience

• Experience with responding to RFPs desirable but not required

• Excellent technical writing skills are desirable

• Experience with Proposal Management Tools preferred

• Canva experience preferred.

• APMP certification preferred

• PMP certification is a plus

JOIN THE BEST TEAM ON THE FIELD IN SPORT, SPIRIT & ACHIEVEMENT

At Varsity Brands, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to succeed and every educator wants to make a difference. It takes a team to make a real impact, and through our three distinct brands – BSN SPORTS, Varsity Spirit and Herff Jones – and our network of 9,000+ employees and independent representatives, we are proud to partner with schools, colleges and universities across the country to transform the student journey in SPORT, SPIRIT and ACHIEVEMENT.

OUR VALUES

Service - We lead with heart. We champion community.

Passion - We love what we do. It fuels our purpose.

Integrity - We do what we promise. We own our actions and decisions.

Respect - We earn it by giving it. Because everyone deserves it.

Innovation - We never stop striving to be better. For ourselves and our community.

Transparency - We are committed to openness and honesty in everything we do.

OUR BENEFITS

We are committed to putting you and your families first. For benefits eligible roles, we offer a variety of choices and costs as well as program enhancements that align with our responsibility to elevate the employee experience. Some of our offerings include:

• Comprehensive Health Care Benefits
• HSA Employer Contribution/ FSA Opportunities
• Wellbeing Program
• 401(k) plan with company matching
• Company paid Life, AD&D, and Short-Term Disability
• Generous My Time Off & Paid Holidays
• Employee Resource Groups
• St. Jude Partnership & Volunteer Opportunities
• Employee Perks including discounts on personal apparel and equipment!

Varsity Brands companies are equal opportunity employers. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran’s status, age or disability.