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 others in 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 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 a range of work winning and business development activities supporting the 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:
- Manage the work winning lifecycle from capture to contract award, including kick off and review meetings, document control and motivating multidisciplinary teams.
- Plan and manage adherence to programmes, including agendas, materials and outputs.
- Manage interfaces with proposals team, UK/global business streams and partners/subconsultants.
- Manage portals and client-facing communication channels.
- Formulate proposal structure, source existing material, develop answer plans.
- Write impactful, tailored, technically differentiated bid content and create visually compelling graphics.
- Collaborate with technical authors and senior stakeholders to progress pursuits.
- Support project teams in client interview preparation including presentations and coaching.
- Follow WSP best practice governance including qualification, review and close out procedures.
- Improve quality and standards of proposal writing and production, promoting best practice.
- Collate proposal feedback for continuous improvement.
- Promote WSP message and brand including CVs and project sheets.
- Act as a hub of Rail best practice and knowledge for proposals.
- Contribute to winning strategies including deconstructs, SWOT analyses, win themes and storyboards.
- Conduct market research, client and competitor intelligence, and capture planning.
- Maintain awareness of WSP’s business strategy, services, people and projects.
- Act as 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, with InDesign and graphics skills desired. Excellent research and analytical skills with ability to interpret data into meaningful content.

About you
Excellent command of language for editing and proofing text. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Collaborative team player able to develop strong relationships 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 ability to prioritise. 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. Demonstrates behaviours aligned with WSP core values to promote excellent team culture and communication.

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