Proposal Manager 6 Month FTC

Compass Group UK; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering services company in the UK is looking for a Proposal Manager to oversee the creation and submission of high-impact bid proposals. The role requires strong project management skills and the ability to engage with internal and external stakeholders effectively. Ideal candidates should have a proven track record in managing successful bids, excellent writing skills, and the proficiency to use various design software. This position offers a chance to contribute creatively to high-value projects and collaborate with various teams.

Benefits

Contributory pension scheme

Career development programs

Digital GP access

Travel discounts

Grocery discounts

Cinema ticket discounts

Cash rewards on spending

Wellness and exercise classes

Qualifications

• Proven track record in managing and winning complex bids.
• Demonstrable experience of using a bid management methodology (e.g., Shipley, BidPerfect).
• Ability to build relationships with both internal departments and directors.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all aspects of bid creation, management, and submission.
• Support the design process using Adobe Creative Suite to create high impact bids.
• Track and manage progress of bids through the Compliance Matrix.

Skills

Bid management

Creative writing

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Tools

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Adobe InDesign

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Job description

Job Title

Proposal Manager

Responsible to Bid Team Manager

Location: Mobile Worker with flexibility to attend meetings in offices as required

Department: The Creative Lab

Role Overview

The Proposal Manager will sit within The Creative Lab, a high performing specialist unit, focused on the creation and production of sales documents across Compass UK&I. The team work nationally, managing high value bids, proposals and presentations across multiple sectors.

The role of the Proposal Manager would be to support and produce creative, strategic, solution based bid proposals. The Proposal Manager will manage day-to-day bid activity, ensuring a compliant, compelling bid which communicates the agreed win strategies and win themes. As the key point of contact they will liaise with internal and external stakeholders to co-ordinate bid responses. All project activity will be managed and tracked, keeping the bid team informed with regular updates. The ideal candidate will be able to project manage medium to large complex bid opportunities, from kick-off to appointment. As a creative self-starter - the Proposal Manager will be focused on driving the bid process to develop and implement ideas which shape winning client solutions.

The Proposal Manager will report into the Bid Team Manager, working in conjuction with Sales or Retention Lead. A flexible approach would be required to accommodate the peaks and troughs of the bid lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage in all aspects of bid creation, management and submission.
• Manage the creation of proposals and presentations. This includes bid writing standard and some technical content, project management of the entire bid lifecycle, supporting the development of win strategies, and persuasive delivery structures, creating the bid brand guidelines and managing external suppliers and consultants. The Proposal Manager will research, author, edit and challenge content.
• Track and manage progress of the bid through the Compliance Matrix. Regularly communicate progress updates to the entire bid team.
• Support Sales and Retention Lead in identifying win strategies, solution design, and management of tender clarification logs and preparation of the Bid Overview template prior to the kick-off workshop.
• Support kick off workshops for entire bid team ensuring win themes are captured, competitor and SWOT analysis. The Proposal Manager will ensure the winning strategy and win themes are articulated effectively throughout the bid response. The Proposal Manager will produce the Win Theme document for distribution in conjunction with the Sales and Retention lead.
• Support sector bid writers in creating responses. Supporting and managing storyboard sessions where the Proposal Manager will help team members to structure and write responses.
• Support the design process using Adobe Creative Suite to create high impact bids, proposals and presentations.
• Brief Design Managers collaborating with conceptual development, artworking and printing
• Conduct post-pitch debriefs with Bid Leaders to collate any new content submitted within the bid and feedback to the bid content team.

Essential

• Proven track record in managing and winning complex bids.
• Proven track record of persuasive bid writing to create compelling sales documents.
• Able to demonstrate the necessary skills to guide a diverse virtual team successfully through the bid process.
• Able to build relationships with both internal departments, comfortable working with Directors.
• 2+ years demonstrable experience of using a bid management methodology (eg Shipley, BidPerfect).
• Creative strategic thinking and ability to look at different ways of doing things. Willing to develop, drive and implement new solutions.
• Recognised bid expert who shares knowledge and advises others

Technical Skills

• Well organised, ability to multitask and manage a number of tenders at the same time
• Strong analytical and project management skills
• Excellent people management skills with strong tact and diplomacy
• Advanced user of Microsoft Word and PowerPoint
• Working knowledge of Adobe InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop is desirable
• Experience of e-tendering portals e.g. Bravosolutions

Key Contacts and Working Relationships

• Bid Writers
• Other Proposal Managers
• Bid Team Manager
• Sellers and Strategic Partners

Benefits

We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:

• Contributory pension scheme
• Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
• Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
• Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
• Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
• You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families

About Us

As part of Compass you'll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses.

Job Reference: com/1012/351800/52780417/SU #Central Functions

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!