Proposal Manager

AtkinsRéalis; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis is seeking an experienced Proposal Manager to join our Complex Projects bid team in the UK. You will lead end-to-end bid management, coordinating with technical leads and win-work colleagues to deliver persuasive, compliant proposals for multi-disciplinary programmes.

You will shape winning strategies, drive proposal development, ensure quality and compliance, and support post-submission activities, while managing multiple bids under tight deadlines.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent qualification in business, engineering or related field.
• End-to-end bid and proposal management experience in engineering or professional services.
• Proven track record across large, complex bids in infrastructure, energy, or regulated sectors.
• Ability to coordinate with senior technical and commercial stakeholders and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Manage bids and proposals end to end, from strategy to submission.
• Lead bid planning, scheduling, and team coordination.
• Coordinate inputs from technical SMEs to produce compliant content.
• Perform quality reviews and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Support post-submission activities including clarifications.
• Promote continuous improvement and lessons learned.

Skills

Bid management

Proposal writing

Stakeholder management

Project management

Communications

AI tools

Education

Degree or equivalent

Business development cert

Tools

Microsoft Office

AI writing tools

Job description

Overview

Are you ready to take up a vital role in winning and shaping some of our exciting projects? How about joining our talented team, where everyone has a voice, and together we face our clients' problems head-on. It's'a diverse and inclusive work environment where world-class talent knows no distinctions.

Our Win Work team sits at the heart of the Complex Projects business unit and plays a critical role in securing and shaping work across major, high-value programmes in regulated, high-risk and technically demanding environments. Together, we strengthen AtkinsRéalis' position in the market, supporting sustainable growth across sectors including transportation, rail, local transport, highways, rail systems, aviation, water, nuclear, defence, environment, renewables, power grids and advanced technology.

We want to hear from you.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced Proposal Manager to join our Complex Projects proposal team. Reporting to the bid team lead, you will be responsible for the end-to-end management and delivery of bids, from early engagement and capture support through proposal development and post-submission activities.

You will play a key role in developing persuasive, compliant and high-quality proposals that clearly articulate our capability to deliver complex, multi-disciplinary programmes. Working closely with technical leads, win work colleagues and wider bid teams, you will help shape winning strategies and ensure consistent, high-quality bid delivery across priority sectors.

Your role

You will be responsible for:

Managing bids and proposals end to end, including:

Bid strategy and planning Capture and opportunity shaping support Proposal development including:

• Setting the bid programme and guiding the team from end to end Leading drumbeats & answer planning sessions.


• Quality reviews and compliance Engaging and managing stakeholders Post‑submission activities, including clarifications and lessons learned.


• Developing high-quality proposal submissions by coordinating inputs from technical subject matter experts to produce clear, compelling and compliant content.


• Applying best‑practice proposal processes, tools and templates to ensure consistency and efficiency across bids.


• Using and supporting the adoption of best‑in‑class approaches and tools, including generative AI (where appropriate), to enhance written quality, consistency and compliance.


• Managing multiple bids simultaneously, maintaining momentum and quality under tight deadlines.


• Contributing to continuous improvement activity, including lessons learned, process improvements and knowledge sharing across the proposal management community.


• Building strong, collaborative relationships with Win Work, technical teams and stakeholders across the Complex Projects business unit.

About you

The ideal candidate will bring a strong track record in proposal management and delivery within complex, regulated or infrastructure-led environments, and will be comfortable operating in high‑pressure, fast‑paced bid settings.

Skills and experience should include:

• A degree or equivalent qualification (relevant business development or proposal‑related certifications would be desirable).


• Proven end‑to‑end Bid and Proposal Management experience within engineering, construction or professional services environments.


• Experience contributing to large, complex and high‑value proposals, ideally across infrastructure, energy, transportation, defence or regulated sectors.


• A solid understanding of professional services projects and terminology, with the ability to critique and review proposal content.


• Experience working with senior technical and commercial stakeholders.


• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple proposals concurrently and meet demanding deadlines.


• Excellent writing, editing and verbal communication skills, with a clear, structured and persuasive writing style.


• Experience using generative AI writing tools is desirable.


• High levels of attention to detail to ensure compliance, accuracy and quality.


• A collaborative and proactive working style, with the confidence to challenge, influence and contribute positively within bid teams.


• Well‑developed emotional intelligence, with the ability to adapt your approach to suit different stakeholders and team dynamics.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

Be rewarded. Find out more.

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.

Additional information

Security clearance

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria. If you would like to be considered under this commitment, please let us know at the application stage.

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