Position Overview

The Senior Marketing Specialist serves as a strategic partner to technical and business development leaders, advancing the firm's growth efforts across the Water Resources and Transportation markets.

This role will lead the development of high-impact proposals, qualifications, presentations, award submissions and conference materials that align with client needs and long-term growth objectives. Working closely with internal teams and external partners, the Senior Marketing Specialist shapes pursuit strategy and messaging that clearly articulates the firm's strengths, experience and value in a competitive marketplace.

The ideal candidate blends strategic thinking with creative execution and brings a working knowledge of the A/E/C industry. Strong collaboration skills and the ability to translate technical content into compelling narratives are essential to success in this role.

A minimum of 5 to 7 years of marketing experience in the A/E/C industry is required, with preference given to candidates with previous experience working with Water Resources and/or Transportation projects and teams.

Key Responsibilities

Proposal Development: Work as a collaborative member of the marketing, communications, and BD teams to support the firm's pursuit efforts, including: 

• Take ownership of the preparation of proposals and teaming materials, working alongside technical staff. 
• Partner in the development and implementation of comprehensive marketing strategies to enhance brand visibility, generate leads, and support business objectives.
• Partner with Pursuit Manager to lead the end-to-end pursuit process from initial planning through delivery for all aspects related to the pursuit process, including strategy, proposal storyboarding, outline, schedules, workflow, and graphic resource requirements in the development of the proposal / interview deliverables.
• Develop proposal messaging (written and visual), write original content, collaborate with graphic designers, and other proposal coordinators when necessary.
• Work with technical staff to develop strategic win plans.
• Support / facilitate debrief efforts.
• Consistently maintain customer relationship management (CRM) database, including incoming leads, follow-up and tracking of opportunity status. 
• Facilitate and support service line-specific marketing, via project award submittals, digital messaging, project photography, business development and; state DOT pre-qualification management and renewal. 
• Search for, identify, and process potential opportunities.

Knowledge + Content Management:

• Have a full comprehensive understanding of McAdams’ portfolio of work, project types, and firm-wide capabilities with a concentration in our Water Resources and Transportation service lines.   
• Maintain and regularly update a library of standard proposal content, including resumes, project information, and past performance data in our system of record (Vantagepoint). 
• Ensure all marketing materials adhere to brand guidelines, are error-free, and align with our business objectives.   
• Develop a deep knowledge of the firm’s strategic objectives, key personnel, major projects, and target audiences to enhance proposal and pursuit efforts.

Trade Show + Events: Work as a collaborative member of the marketing, communications, and BD teams to plan / prepare our technical team members for attendance at industry conferences.  

• Alongside Pursuit Manager, lead in the planning and coordination of trade shows, client events, and sponsorships across all metros. 
• Maintain and organize trade show, client event, and sponsorship schedules. 
• Coordinate logistics, promotion, and follow-up activities. 
• Coordinate the development of new materials to support marketing activities. 
• Order event material and SWAG inventory, company-wide.

Collaboration + Coordination:

• Work closely with service line leaders, project managers, and other technical staff to gather, curate, and refine proposal content to ensure cohesive messaging and branding.
• Coordinate proposal input and review cycles, managing timelines and responsibilities to meet submission deadlines.
• Facilitate regular proposal planning meetings to ensure alignment with client expectations and proposal objectives. 
• Train and mentor Marketing Specialists I + II.

Support:

• Consistently maintain customer relationship management (CRM) database, including incoming leads, follow-up and tracking of opportunity status.
• Assist in formatting and developing content for project interviews and presentations, including graphics, slide decks, and other visual aids.

Skills + Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, communications, or related field.
• Experience: 5-7 years of professional marketing experience in the A/E/C industry. Must have at least 4 years of experience with the proposal process (RFQ/P).  Previous experience working with Water Resources and/or Transportation projects and teams preferred.
• Skills: Exceptional communication (written, verbal, and copy-editing), organization, team-building, and relationship management skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (OneNote, Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), and Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop). Knowledge of Open Asset and Deltek Vantagepoint preferred. 
• Creativity: High level of creativity and innovation in the creation of compelling marketing materials and campaigns through thoughtful storytelling. Ability to think outside the box and drive new ideals. 
• Time Management + Organization: Self-motivated with an ability to independently manage and organize multiple projects simultaneously with attention to detail in a deadline-driven environment.
• Team Player: Ability to work collaboratively (internal and external) within a team to meet a deadline
• Adaptability: Flexible and responsive to changing project requirements, able to handle shifting priorities with ease.

Work Environment + Physical Demands

The characteristics described below are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this position. When properly requested and when feasible (without undue hardship to the company), reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

• Work will primarily be in an office setting with limited opportunities to be exposed to adverse environmental conditions.
• Work will be primarily working with fingers by picking, pinching, typing, and grasping often with repetitive motion. 
• Must have visual acuity for viewing a computer screen, the ability to talk, hear and sit for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to carry, lift and push/pull up to 5 pounds frequently and up to 30 pounds occasionally. 
• Additional physical duties may be required as necessary.

Position Overview

The Marketing Specialist I plays a critical role in supporting business development efforts by crafting persuasive, high-quality proposals, qualifications, presentations, and other deliverables aimed at winning new work. This individual will collaborate closely with internal and external project teams to produce compelling documents that showcase the company's expertise and align with client requirements. 

Important keys to success in this role include a thoughtful and proactive approach, strong time management, attention to detail, creative problem solving, and client relationship skills. We look for a high level of skill with InDesign, a natural graphic eye, a love of the industry, and an outstanding ability to collaborate. 

Up to two years of marketing experience in the A/E/C industry preferred.

Key Responsibilities

A Marketing Specialist I role is designed for early‑career marketers who are eager to develop skills in proposal development, marketing coordination, and brand execution within the A/E/C industry. This role supports the firm’s business development and pursuit efforts and focuses on building a strong foundation in pursuit marketing, brand standards, and internal processes while collaborating closely with marketing, business development, and technical teams.  

Proposal Development: Work as a collaborative member of the marketing team to independently prepare proposals and teaming materials.  

• Search for, identify, and process potential opportunities  
• Take ownership of the preparation of proposals and teaming materials, working alongside technical staff. This includes coordinating and communicating with all service line leaders, project managers, and other technical staff proposal needs and expectations.  
• Set and maintain internal draft deadlines. 
• Coordinate and organize large amounts of technical information, including photography, graphics, external sub-consultant data, and marketing materials.  
• Design, write, and edit complex proposals and government forms, as well as prepare for and create presentations for interviews, all in alignment with brand standards and strategic messaging.    
• Proofread and perform quality control document checks to meet all requirements in response to Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Requests for Qualifications (RFQs), and other client solicitations.

Knowledge + Content Management:  

• Maintain and regularly update a library of standard proposal content, including resumes, project information, and past performance data in our system of record (Vantagepoint). 
• Ensure all proposal materials adhere to brand guidelines, are error-free, and align with our business objectives.   
• Gain comprehensive understanding of McAdams’ portfolio of work, project types and firm-wide capabilities.

Trade Show + Events: Assist with trade shows, client events, and sponsorships, locally.    

• Assist in the packing, distribution, and unpacking of materials to support these activities 
• Assist in event material and SWAG inventory and organization

Collaboration + Coordination: 

• Work closely with service line leaders, project managers, and other technical staff to gather, curate, and refine proposal content to ensure cohesive messaging and branding. 
• Coordinate proposal input and review cycles, managing timelines and responsibilities to meet submission deadlines 
• Facilitate regular proposal planning meetings to ensure alignment with client expectations and proposal objectives.  

Support:

• Consistently maintain customer relationship management (CRM) database. 
• Assist in formatting and developing content for project interviews and presentations, including graphics, slide decks, and other visual aids.

Skills + Experience 

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, communications, or related field
• Experience: 0-2 years of professional marketing, preferably within the A/E/C industry. Familiarity with the proposal process (RFQ/P) is a plus
• Skills: Strong communication (written, verbal, and copy-editing), organization, team-building, and relationship management skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (OneNote, Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), and Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop). Knowledge of Open Asset and Deltek Vantagepoint is a plus
• Creativity: Ability to create compelling marketing materials and campaigns. A keen eye for design, layout, and attention to detail 
• Time Management + Organization: Ability to manage and organize multiple projects simultaneously with attention to detail in a deadline-driven environment
• Team Player: Ability to work collaboratively (internal and external) within a team to meet a deadline
• Adaptability: Flexible and responsive to changing project requirements, able to handle shifting priorities with ease

Work Environment + Physical Demands

The characteristics described below are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this position. When properly requested and when feasible (without undue hardship to the company), reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.  

• Work will primarily be in an office setting with limited opportunities to be exposed to adverse environmental conditions. 
• Work will be primarily working with fingers by picking, pinching, typing, and grasping often with repetitive motion.  
• Must have visual acuity for viewing a computer screen, the ability to talk, hear and sit for extended periods of time. 
• Must be able to carry, lift and push/pull up to 5 pounds frequently and up to 30 pounds occasionally.  
• Additional physical duties may be required as necessary.

Appian is seeking a visionary Principal, AI GTM Excellence Leader reporting to the VP of Product Marketing, to transform and scale how our Product and Solution Marketing organization creates, delivers, and optimizes content. This highly visible role will act as a centralized Center of Excellence, leading the adoption of AI, scalable video, and innovative content strategies across the GTM organization.

This role is both strategic and hands-on. You will not only define the strategy, but also actively design, edit, and produce high-impact assets, including videos, animations, digital layouts, self-service content tools, and AI-enabled templates. The ideal candidate blends product marketing, content strategy, creative execution, AI fluency, and GTM operational scale.

In this role, you will:

• Lead the integration of AI-driven workflows across the PMM organization to improve productivity and expand the variety and volume of content outputs.

• Pioneer new strategies and operating models to scale video production and other high-impact digital assets.

• Build and deploy AI-enabled self-service content tools and templates that empower marketing, sales, and field teams while maintaining brand and messaging guardrails.

• Monitor emerging AI, content, and creative technology trends, and guide Product Marketing and Content teams on how to adopt them effectively.

• Actively create, edit, and produce top-tier deliverables, including videos, motion graphics, animations, and sophisticated digital layouts.

• Ensure content supports the full buyer journey, from web and digital campaigns to sales progression and closed-won opportunities.

• Develop and manage a scalable global network of content architects and production leaders who can translate complex product portfolios into clear, compelling stories and assets.

• Ensure AI-generated, self-served, and custom-built content aligns with Appian’s brand voice, messaging, and strategic positioning.

• Guide teams on the most effective layouts, formats, and delivery mechanisms to maximize audience engagement and market impact.

• Serve as a hands-on mentor, strategic advisor, and centralized resource across the PMM organization.

• Partner closely with product, marketing, and sales leadership to align teams around a shared GTM framework.

• Turn high-level strategy into measurable market impact, demand generation, and sales engagement.

Qualifications:

• 10–15+ years of senior-level experience in product marketing, content strategy, brand building, GTM leadership, or related roles.

• Demonstrated experience driving digital innovation, operational scale, and content transformation within a B2B or enterprise technology environment.

• Advanced, hands-on proficiency with creative technologies, including Adobe Creative Cloud tools such as Premiere Pro, After Effects, InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.

• Experience with modern digital layout, UI, content production, or creative workflow platforms.

• Proven ability to combine strategic vision with hands-on execution across content creation, digital ecosystems, analytics, AI-driven workflows, and campaign execution.

• Experience building global messaging, content, or design systems that translate complex technical product portfolios into cohesive stories across multiple channels.

• Deep practical understanding of AI tools, generative workflows, and content automation platforms, with the ability to operationalize them for marketing teams.

• Strong cross-functional leadership skills, with experience aligning Product, Marketing, Sales, and GTM teams around a shared narrative and scalable content architecture.

• Strong eye for content layout, visual effectiveness, video production, and how B2B audiences consume content across different stages of the buyer journey.

• Hands-on leadership approach with the ability to break down silos, mentor teams, and set a high bar for creative and strategic execution.

The base salary for this role is between $144,000–$225,000 per year and represents a good faith and reasonable estimate of the range at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be dependent on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s relevant work experience, qualifications, internal peer equity, and market and business conditions that exist when extending an offer. A discretionary bonus may be awarded in recognition of individual and company performance.

In addition, Appian provides generous benefits offerings that include a 401(k) plan with company match, flexible time off, paid parental leave, medical, dental, and vision plans, life insurance, disability insurance, wellness programs, flexible spending accounts, health savings account contributions, an employee referral bonus program, and learning and development resources. Certain positions may be eligible for equity awards. 

Pay and benefits are subject to change at any time, consistent with the terms of any applicable compensation, commission, bonus, or benefit plans.

#LI-MB1