Writing a proposal for a new position at your company should focus on demonstrating that your employer needs the new position and will profit from its creation. Once you make that sale, showcase your skills and capabilities to demonstrate that you’re the best candidate for the newly-created job.

Find the Need

Start your project by determining the need for the position. The new position might solve a problem, such as eliminating production or delivery bottlenecks. It might help the company take advantage of an opportunity, such as fostering increased sales by targeting a territory or sales method that current reps can’t handle. Your proposed position might allow the company to expand its marketing, improve customer service, reduce employee turnover or decrease manufacturing expenses.

Emphasize the Employer’s Benefits

List the direct benefits of the new position to the employer. Try to find both quantitative and qualitative benefits to make your case stronger. For example, if your position will improve customer service, cite figures that show how many customers have left during the past year, or how many complaints you’ve had. Provide a company organization chart in your proposal and show where your position fits. Try to demonstrate that the company has a hole in its organization without this position. Make it clear to whom the position will report, and if the position will oversee any subordinates. Add comments from department heads to support your premises.

Calculate the Financial Impact

If possible, provide financial projections to justify the position. Calculate the cost of the position, including salary, benefits, equipment and any other related costs. Project how much of an increase in revenue the position will bring or how much of a decrease in expenses the new job will create. Try to demonstrate the financial benefit of improved customer service and decreased employee turnover if your position addresses benefits such as those. If you are proposing to bring contracted work in house at a higher salary expense, show how the benefits, such as improved quality or increased customer satisfaction, will result in increased sales and revenues.

Write The Job Description

Write the position description so your boss knows exactly what you would be doing 40 hours each week. Include how the position serves or oversees other positions. This position description should be complete enough that it can form the basis for an annual review. Without padding the description, include skills, competencies, abilities, education, training and certifications that you have.

List Your Qualifications

Match your credentials to the job description you’ve created. Be careful not to oversell yourself or inflate the job description. This will set off a red flag with your boss that the rest of the document might not be credible. Rather than just listing your skills, explain how each skill or ability you have will be used to do the work.

Create The Proposal Document

Write your proposal using the information you’ve gathered. Include a cover page, table of contents, executive summary and your different sections. In the executive summary, briefly describe the position and list the benefits it offers. Include an appendix if you are providing historical sales or customer service data, or detailed financial projections. Include the following sections after the executive summary:

1. Company Problem or Opportunity
   
2. Solution the Position Provides 
   
3. Financial Impacts 
   
4. Detailed Job Description
   
5. Your Qualifications 
   
6. Summary and Recommendations
   

Your document should be concise, but don't sacrifice details for the sake of brevity.