Location
London

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Negotiable

About the Role
What if you could do the kind of work the world needs? At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

The Proposals Manager role forms part of a dedicated Rail Business Development and Proposals team, responsible for all aspects of work winning across the Rail business unit and multidisciplinary WSP activities within the rail sector. This role supports work winning activities across the capture and convert phases of the WSP winning work lifecycle, coordinating interfaces between business leaders, technical staff and proposals team members to produce high-quality, compelling proposals.

Once assigned to an opportunity, the Proposals Manager will establish and lead the bid team, liaise with clients and partners as required, organise reviews and gateway approval meetings, and oversee submission of the proposal. They will lead the development of win strategies, produce tender plans, manage written responses, facilitate reviews, and ensure effective final submission including smooth handover to delivery teams for successful bids.

Additionally, the role contributes to various work winning and business development activities supporting growth and success of the Rail business unit. These include marketing and communications support (internal and external), client account and engagement support, business development operations such as content and collateral management, and administration of systems and pipeline information.

Key responsibilities include:
- Managing the work winning lifecycle from capture to contract award, including kick off and review meetings, document control and motivating multidisciplinary teams
- Planning and managing adherence to programmes, managing interfaces with proposals team, UK/global business streams and partners/subconsultants
- Managing portals and client communication channels to progress pursuits
- Formulating proposal structure, sourcing existing material and best practice answers, and developing answer plans
- Writing impactful, tailored, technically differentiated bid content and creating visually compelling graphics
- Collaborating with technical authors and senior stakeholders to convert knowledge into winning solutions
- Supporting project teams in client interview preparation including presentation development and coaching
- Following WSP best practice governance including qualification, review and close out procedures
- Improving quality and standards of proposal writing and production, promoting best practice for layout and content
- Collating proposal feedback for continuous improvement and emerging best practice
- Promoting WSP message and brand, including best practice materials such as CVs and project sheets
- Acting as a hub of Rail best practice and knowledge for proposals
- Contributing to proposal winning strategies including deconstructs, SWOT analyses, win themes and storyboard development
- Conducting market research, client and competitor intelligence and contributing to capture planning
- Maintaining awareness of WSP’s business strategy, services, people and projects to support proposals and work winning strategies
- Acting as a mentor and support for junior team members

Experience
Proven experience coordinating proposals, bids or work winning activities ideally within infrastructure consultancy or related sectors. Knowledge and understanding of standard private and public sector proposal processes. Proficient in Microsoft Office, Adobe Suite, InDesign (desired) and graphics skills. Excellent research and analytical skills with ability to interpret data and research into meaningful content.

About you
Excellent command of language for editing and proofing text. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Collaborative team player with ability to develop strong relationships and rapport with internal and external stakeholders. People skills to encourage, motivate and enthuse others. Robust organisational and project management skills with meticulous attention to detail and quality. Excellent time management and prioritisation skills. Flexibility to meet demanding proposal deadlines. Passion for quality and continuous improvement with a focus on delivery. Proactive, takes initiative and responsibility for own actions. Supports culture of openness, knowledge sharing and continuous improvement. Demonstrates behaviours aligned with WSP core values to create a positive team culture and promote excellent communications.

Qualifications
Degree-level qualification (any relevant discipline). APMP Foundation certification as a minimum.