Senior Proposals Manager

Providing water, energy, and waste management solutions for 160 years, Veolia offers public authorities and industries a range of services vital to human development and sustainable growth in 48 countries worldwide. We continue to innovate and adapt by designing solutions that positively impact the environment and resources.

Our goal is to build a better 21st century, seeing ourselves as #resourcers.

Key figures of Veolia Near and Middle East

• More than 3,600 employees in Water and Waste management, 4,000 in Energy Management.
• A strong local network with offices and plants across the region (UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan).
• Presence in the Middle East for over 20 years with long-term operational contracts.

In the Middle East, Veolia collaborates with industries, governments, communities, retail, and commercial businesses to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions for today and tomorrow.

Through public-private partnerships and innovative contractual schemes, Veolia is committed to achieving quantifiable results with pragmatic environmental solutions.

Context

Veolia Near & Middle East HQ provides support and expertise to local entities, ensuring the implementation of the Group's strategies, policies, and tools, tailored to local needs. The business development department focuses on identifying growth opportunities, forging strategic partnerships, and expanding market presence through market analysis, relationship building, and strategic planning.

Job Description

Main Accountabilities

Within the framework of the Middle East Business Area’s policies, processes, and strategy, the Senior Proposals Manager leads the preparation, negotiation, and finalization of large municipal or industrial proposals in the water or waste sectors. The role reports to the Business Development Director Middle East and collaborates closely with the Business Development team and, when needed, with headquarters teams in Paris.

Detailed Job Responsibilities

• Prepare large tenders in the Near & Middle East market, managing proposals from pre-qualification to project award, including technical discussions, design, engineering, value engineering, negotiations, and cost estimation.
• Assist in preparing prequalification documents as required.
• Manage the full proposal cycle, from input gathering and estimation to final submission of compliant, competitive bids.
• Lead and coordinate the preparation of technical, financial, contractual, legal, and staffing components, ensuring compliance with corporate policies.
• Ensure timely production of all proposal deliverables.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across business development, finance, legal, and operations to assess project feasibility, competitiveness, and strategy.
• Benchmark and estimate prices aligned with Veolia’s commercial strategy.
• Contribute to defining project execution and delivery strategies.
• Support the Business Development Director in meetings with external stakeholders and participate in presentations and negotiations.
• Lead discussions with suppliers and subcontractors, contributing to contractual agreements.
• Define project execution organization, procurement, delivery strategies, and schedules in collaboration with relevant departments.
• Present and defend proposals internally when engaging with senior management.
• Transfer proposal files to the project team upon project award.
• Coach and mentor junior proposal engineers.

Qualifications

• Additional professional qualifications or certifications are advantageous.
• 10 to 15 years’ experience in the water or waste sectors, including EPC/O&M contracts, with at least 5 years in proposals.
• Excellent command of English; Arabic skills are an advantage.
• Mandatory experience in large water projects (>US$100m) and proposals for BOT or concession projects is a plus.
• Experience managing proposals teams in matrix organizations with cross-functional teams.
• Operational or design & execution experience in such projects is beneficial.

Personal Attributes

• Strong planning and organizational skills, with attention to detail.
• Effective influencing and relationship-building skills across all levels.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, fostering teamwork.
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work with diverse teams and stakeholders.

Veolia is committed to diversity and equal opportunity in employment.