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 the proposals team to produce high-quality, compelling proposals.

Once assigned to an opportunity, the Proposals Manager will establish and lead the bid team, liaising with clients and partners as required, organising reviews and gateway approval meetings, and overseeing submission of the proposal. They 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.

Core responsibilities include producing high-quality written content and ensuring bid governance and review processes are followed. The Proposals Manager collaborates with technical and project leaders, liaises with clients and partners, and plans, develops and delivers responses to client procurements across the work winning lifecycle from capture to contract award. They also enable development, implementation and continuous improvement of work winning processes, collateral and best practice.

Bid leadership and work winning lifecycle management
Manage the work winning lifecycle from capture to contract award, including facilitating/leading kick off and review meetings, maintaining document control and motivating multidisciplinary teams through the proposals process. Plan and manage adherence to programmes including all agendas, materials and outputs (minutes/actions). Manage interfaces with the proposals team, UK/global business streams and partners/subconsultants. Manage portals and client-facing communication channels to progress pursuits.

Proposal development
Formulate overall proposal structure before writing starts – source existing material and best practice answers, develop answer plans. Write impactful, tailored, technically differentiated bid content and create visually compelling graphics. Work with technical authors to convert knowledge into winning solutions and proposals, interfacing with senior stakeholders to progress pursuits. Support project teams in preparation for client interviews including presentation development and coaching. Follow WSP best practice governance including qualification, review and close out procedures (e.g. lessons learned reviews). Improve quality and standards of proposal writing and production, promoting best practice for layout and content of all submissions. Collate proposal feedback for continuous improvement and emerging best practice. Ensure the WSP message and brand is promoted, including best practice materials such as CVs and project sheets. Act as a hub of Rail best practice and knowledge for proposals.

Strategy, capture & market intelligence
Contribute to proposal winning strategies including deconstructs, SWOT analyses, proposal win themes and storyboard development. Conduct market research and analysis, client and competitor intelligence, and contribute to capture planning for pursuits. Maintain awareness of WSP’s business strategy, services, people and projects to support preparation of proposals and work winning strategies in the capture phase.

Team support & leadership
Act as a mentor and support for junior members of the team.

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 working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Adobe Suite, InDesign (desired) and graphics skills. Excellent research and analytical skills with the 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, team player and collaborative. 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 skills and ability to prioritise. Flexibility to meet demanding proposal deadlines when necessary. A passion for quality and continuous improvement with a focus on delivery. Drive and support a culture of openness, knowledge sharing and continuous improvement. Proactive approach, initiative and responsibility for own actions. 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.