Zum is a student transportation company headquartered in the United States that provides technology-driven school bus and ride services for K-12 students. The company partners with school districts to modernize student transportation through a platform that connects drivers, schools, parents, and students in real time, offering improved safety, visibility, and efficiency compared to traditional school bus operations. Zum emphasizes the use of data and technology to optimize routes and improve the overall transportation experience for families and school administrators.
A core part of Zum's mission is accelerating the transition to clean transportation by deploying electric vehicles for student transit. The company has committed to electrifying its fleet and has partnered with school districts and utilities to introduce electric school buses, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality for children and communities. Zum positions itself as a leader in sustainable student mobility, aligning fleet electrification with broader climate goals.
What makes Zum unique is its integrated approach combining a managed services model with proprietary technology and a growing electric vehicle fleet. Rather than simply selling software, Zum takes on the full operational responsibility of running transportation programs for school districts, making it easier for districts to transition to greener, more efficient systems without the burden of fleet ownership or logistics management.
About Zūm:
Zūm is revolutionizing mass mobility with its Connected Mobility Experience (Zūm CMX™) system that connects and coordinates people, vehicles, and operations in real time. In the $50 billion student mobility market – the largest segment of the mass mobility industry – Zūm CMX is transforming a daily source of anxiety and disruption into a reliable, transparent, and efficient mobility experience for students and families. Today, more than 4,500 schools rely on Zūm CMX. Recognized globally for its innovative approach and operational execution, Zūm has been named to Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies, CNBC Disruptor 50 and Changemakers, the World Economic Forum, and the Financial Times’ Fastest Growing Companies lists. Zūm is backed by leading investors including Sequoia Capital, GIC, TPG, and Softbank.
The targeted base salary range for this role is listed in the compensation section below. Actual salary may be above or below this range based on factors such as location, skills, and relevant experience. In addition, this position may include additional compensation in the form of bonus, equity, or commissions. If you are a full-time salaried or hourly worker, we offer the following benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), Holidays, Wellness, Vacation, and more. The targeted pay range for this role in US is: $95,000 - $125,000
Zūm Services, Inc. and all its subsidiaries provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Who You Are:
The Proposal Manager works within our proposal team, reporting to the Senior Director, Proposals managing the entire proposal lifecycle including maintaining schedules, organizing resources, coordinating inputs and reviews, ensuring bid strategy implementation, ensuring compliance, resolving internal team issues, and providing process leadership to facilitate partnerships with schools and districts throughout the country. This position works closely with the entire proposal team, and requires someone who is flexible and willing to pitch in to help wherever it is needed during busy times.
What You'll Do:
Ensure team successfully submits high quality, compliant, compelling proposals on time
Manage, create, and submit a variety of proposal materials, supporting the entire lifecycle of the process, from scheduling kick off calls to creating first drafts to submitting the proposal
Facilitate case-specific proposal response strategies, tasks list, timeline, and work plan
Partner with sales to develop and refine proposal response strategy
Ensure full compliance to RFX, outline, checklist, and proposal milestones
Finesse final documents to reflect a nuanced and targeted response to the specific sales opportunity demonstrating an understanding of the opportunity and the prospective client’s needs
Oversee production of final proposals (formatting, technical editing, and reproduction)
Achieve 100% on-time submission rate for RFXs
Edit proposals and related documents for completeness and compliance with editorial standards and RFX requirements
Maintain consistent product messaging and updated product language and data
Provide support for creating sales proposals, presentations, contracts, grants, research studies, white papers, and/or marketing collateral
Develop a deep understanding of Zum services and what sets us apart from the competition
Work closely with the entire proposal team and pitch in to help wherever it is needed during busy times
What You Bring To Zūm:
5+ years experience in managing proposal process, specifically for K-12 schools, districts, and education agencies
Demonstrated success in responding to education/transportation organization RFXs
BA/BS required
APMP Foundation Certification Required (APMP Practitioner Certification Preferred)
Experience with:
Deltek (GovWin), GovSpend, Navigator, RFP Schoolwatch
Adobe InDesign and Adobe Acrobat Professional
Google Suite: Gmail, Google Drive, Google Hangouts, and Google Docs and Sheets
Microsoft Office Professional (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
Team Player
Manage and deliver multiple proposals simultaneously and on time
Strong project management skills
Work with cross-functional teams
Work independently with minimal direction and high visibility
Pay high attention to detail and follow-through reliably
