Proposals Manager

Tilbury Douglas; Castleford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK engineering firm is seeking a Business Development Manager to develop and manage a pipeline with key clients. The successful candidate will cultivate relationships, lead bid processes, and ensure customer satisfaction. Ideal applicants should have a technical background, negotiation skills, and comfortable with significant travel. Competitive salary and benefits included, such as a car allowance and private medical insurance, along with a dynamic workplace culture.

Benefits

Car Allowance

26 days annual leave

Private medical insurance

Defined contribution pension scheme

Volunteering opportunities

Flexible working options

Employee discount scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in customer management.
• Knowledge of bid management and coordination.
• Familiarity with mechanical & electrical services design is preferred.
• Ability to self-manage tasks and lead teams under tight deadlines.
• Willingness to travel regionally and nationally.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage a pipeline with key accounts.
• Build strategic relationships through networking.
• Manage enquiries through the bid/no-bid process.
• Collaborate closely with preconstruction and estimating teams.

Skills

Technical and engineering background

Presentation skills

Negotiation skills

Analytical skills

Leadership qualities

Organizational skills

Teamwork skills

Commercial awareness

Communication skills

Tools

Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint)

Job description

The Opportunity

The role focuses on developing and managing a pipeline of opportunities with both new and existing clients, aiming to secure work that meets budgeted turnover and margin requirements.

The successful candidate will cultivate new regional accounts and support national key accounts, ensuring Tilbury Douglas Engineering (TDE) delivers exemplary customer service and adds value at every project stage. The role covers the entire opportunity lifecycle, from initial contact to tender preparation, settlement, and final negotiations.

What you will be doing

• Develop and manage a transparent, robust pipeline with key accounts including end users, main contractors, PQS’s, consultants, and project influencers.
• Focus on expanding the external and end-user market while supporting the Regional Operations Manager.
• Build strategic relationships through structured networking with key account stakeholders, clients, designers, supply chain, and more.
• Drive targeted development activities including calls, cost plans, order conversions, and hospitality engagements.
• Accurately report on Work to Win, GAP, CRM systems, and estimating and cost planning workload programmes.
• Balance sector exposure in line with historic trends and future market forecasts.
• Obtain and analyse Customer Satisfaction Questionnaires (CSQs) at various project stages.
• Attend meetings and contribute to bid support and tender interview presentations.
• Coordinate team to produce tender and tender submission working with the Southern Team.
• Focus on delivery of best in class tender submissions and settlements internally making use of the business tools and resources including the use of AI.
• Identify key client decision-makers to focus efforts effectively, manage a key account/account contact program with B2B’s and client entertainment plans.
• Build Social value plans with existing clients to develop the relationships and add value to the projects we tender for them.
• Manage internal process of accessing contract and terms and conditions.
• Produce and contribute to company brochures and tender presentations.
• Collaborate closely with preconstruction managers, design managers, and estimating leads.
• Maintain communication with the Regional Pre-Construction Director and the National Business Development Director to leverage national relationships and insights.
• Manage enquiries through the bid/no-bid process, oversee internal tender settlements, present tenders to clients, and negotiate terms.

What we will need from you

• Strong technical and engineering background with experience in customer management.
• Knowledge of bid management and coordination.
• Familiarity with mechanical & electrical services design and cost elements (preferred).
• Excellent presentation and negotiation skills.
• Ability to self-manage tasks and lead teams under tight deadlines.
• Commercial awareness and strong presentation abilities.
• Exceptional communication, organisational, and teamwork skills.
• Dynamic, focused, and entrepreneurial.
• Willingness to travel regionally and nationally, including occasional overnight stays.
• Strong leadership qualities and ability to support customer bid strategies.
• Analytical, numeric, and literacy proficiency.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint).

What we can offer you

• Competitive salary
• Car Allowance
• 26 days annual leave (with the opportunity to buy or sell up to 3 days holiday)
• 3 additional long service days achieved after 3, 7 and 10 years
• Private medical insurance for yourself (with the option to buy family cover)
• Defined contribution pension scheme matched up to 8%
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and parental leave
• 2 days volunteering opportunities
• Flexible and Agile working (dependent on your role)
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Professional membership fees
• Perks at Work Employee discount scheme offering discounts on a range of categories such as electronics, home appliances, food & groceries, car buying, travel, fitness and more
• Flexible Benefits scheme which includes the opportunity to purchase benefits such as:
• Critical illness insurance (with option to purchase for your partner)
• Dental Insurance
• Travel insurance
• Cycle to work scheme
• Retail vouchers/payroll giving/activity pass for top leisure attractions.

Who we are

Tilbury Douglas is a leading UK building, infrastructure, engineering and fit-out company. We deliver vital projects across a range of sectors including health, education, highways, justice, defence, aviation, water and environment.

It is our people who make Tilbury Douglas a success. We believe our inclusive culture encourages new ways of thinking, enabling us to innovate whilst remaining resilient. We value and celebrate all individual differences and look forward to receiving your application. We have now achieved our Investors in Diversity status.

Please note we do not have a sponsorship licence.

Please note that this role is subject to Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance which includes identity, employment history, and criminal record checks.

We look forward to receiving your application!