Meet Roberto Sanchez, a Senior Proposal Manager here at Network Connex. Roberto has been with the company since 2021, and he supports business development efforts across all of our operating companies by managing proposals, customer prequalification requirements, and a variety of other initiatives that help our teams pursue and win new opportunities.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR CAREER PATH AND WHAT LED YOU TO YOUR CURRENT ROLE?
I’ve been working in proposal management since 2015, supporting organizations across several different industries. That experience helped me develop a strong foundation in business development, customer requirements, and creating compelling responses for complex opportunities. What attracted me to telecommunications infrastructure was the impact it has on nearly every aspect of our daily lives. Reliable connectivity has become essential for how people work, communicate, learn, and do business, and I wanted to be part of an industry that plays such an important role in supporting that growth. Network Connex was particularly appealing because of its strong reputation and growth trajectory. During my time with the company, I’ve had the opportunity to see that growth firsthand while supporting a wide variety of opportunities across the business. It’s exciting to be part of an organization that continues to expand its capabilities and help shape the future of connectivity infrastructure.
WHAT KINDS OF EDUCATION OR ON THE JOB TRAINING HAVE HELPED YOU BE SUCCESSFUL IN YOUR CURRENT JOB?
I earned a degree in Business and Corporate Communications, which gave me a strong foundation in writing and communicating with different audiences. Early in my career, I worked in corporate communications for an engineering and construction company, where I helped communicate the company’s story and share information with employees, customers, and other stakeholders. Those experiences have been surprisingly relevant to proposal management. While proposals can be very technical, a big part of the job is understanding complex information and presenting it in a way that is clear and easy for customers to understand. In addition to my education, I’ve learned a great deal through on-the-job experience supporting proposals across a variety of industries over the past decade.
WHAT CHARACTERISTICS DO YOU THINK ARE NEEDED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN YOUR ROLE?
I think organization and attention to detail are two of the most important characteristics for success in my role. Most opportunities involve multiple stakeholders, deadlines, and deliverables, so staying organized and keeping track of details is essential. Flexibility is also important. Priorities can change quickly, and it’s common to be working on several opportunities at different stages at the same time. Being able to adapt, manage competing deadlines, and keep things moving forward helps ensure successful outcomes.
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY AT WORK LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?
No two days are exactly the same, which is one of the things I enjoy most about the role. A typical day usually starts with reviewing emails, tracking active opportunities, and identifying priorities for the day. Depending on what’s in progress, I may be preparing a proposal or presentation, completing a customer questionnaire, updating compliance documentation, coordinating with subject matter experts to gather information, or reviewing customer requirements and deliverables. A large part of my role involves keeping multiple opportunities moving forward while making sure deadlines, requirements, and customer expectations are met. Because I support opportunities across different service lines and customers, there is always a variety of projects and challenges to work on.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?
What I enjoy most about my role is the variety. Every opportunity presents different requirements, customers, and challenges, which keeps the work interesting and engaging. I also enjoy being involved in the early stages of new opportunities. It’s rewarding to contribute to the pursuit process and then see projects move forward and become part of the company’s continued growth.
HOW DO YOU LIKE TO SPEND YOUR TIME OUTSIDE OF WORK?
Outside of work, much of my time is spent with my daughters. Beyond that, cars have always been a passion of mine, and I enjoy owning and driving different enthusiast vehicles. I also like taking on the occasional DIY project and learning new skills along the way.
TELL US A FUN OR SURPRISING FACT ABOUT YOU!
A fun fact about me is that I spent seven years living in the Philippines while growing up, which gave me the opportunity to experience a different culture and broaden my perspective from an early age.