Proposals Manager (Rail)

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Greater London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP in the UK & Ireland is seeking a Proposals Manager to lead the Rail Business Development team in producing high-quality proposals. This role involves managing the proposal lifecycle, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring adherence to best practices. The ideal candidate will have a degree-level qualification, an APMP Foundation, and excellent communication and project management skills. The position is based in Greater London and promotes a culture of openness and best practice.

Qualifications

• Experience coordinating proposals in infrastructure consultancy or related sectors.
• Proficient in creating visually compelling graphics.
• Knowledge of standard private and public sector proposal processes.

Responsibilities

• Manage the work winning lifecycle from capture to contract award.
• Write impactful and tailored bid content.
• Contribute to proposal winning strategies and market research.

Skills

Excellent command of language

Strong verbal and written communication

Project management skills

Analytical skills

Education

Degree-level qualification

APMP Foundation

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe Suite

InDesign

Job description

The Proposals Manager role forms part of a dedicated Rail Business Development and Proposals team, which is responsible for all aspects of work winning across the Rail business unit and multidisciplinary WSP activities within the rail sector. The role encompasses support to work winning activities across the capture and convert phases of the WSP winning work lifecycle, coordinating the interfaces between business leaders, technical staff and others in the proposals team to produce high-quality, compelling proposals.

The role also involves supporting marketing and communication activities, client account and engagement support, business development operations such as content and collateral management, and administration of systems and pipeline information.

In this role, core responsibilities include producing high-quality written content and ensuring that the appropriate bid governance and review processes are followed. The Proposals Manager will collaborate with technical and project leaders, liaise with clients and partners, and plan, develop and deliver responses to client procurements across the work winning lifecycle from capture to contract award. They will also enable development, implementation and continuous improvement of work winning processes, collateral and best practice.

Bid leadership and work winning lifecycle management

• Manage the work winning lifecycle from capture to contract award, including facilitating/leading kick off and review meetings, maintain document control and motivating multidisciplinary teams through the proposals process.
• Plan and manage adherence to programmes e.g from kick-off to review meetings including all agenda, materials and outputs (minutes/actions).
• Manage interfaces with the proposals team, other UK/global business streams and partners/ subconsultants.
• Manage portals/client facing communication channels to progress pursuits.

Proposal development

• Formulate overall structure of the proposal submission before writing starts – source existing material/best practice answers, develop answer plans.
• Write impactful, tailored, technically differentiated bid content, and creating visually compelling graphics.
• Work with technical authors to convert knowledge into winning solutions and proposals, interfacing with senior stakeholders to progress pursuits.
• Support project teams in preparation for client interviews including presentation development and coaching.
• Follow WSP best practice governance including supporting qualification, review and close out procedures (e.g lessons learned reviews).
• Improving the quality and standards of proposal writing and production, promoting best practice for layout and content of all proposal submissions.
• Collate proposal feedback from all members of the project proposal team for continuous improvement and emerging best practice.
• Ensure the WSP message and brand is promoted, including best practice materials such as CVs and project sheets.
• Act as a hub of Rail best practice and knowledge for proposals.

Strategy, capture & market intelligence

• Contribute to proposal winning strategies including deconstructs, SWOT analyses, proposal win themes and storyboard development.
• Conduct market research and analysis, client and competitor intelligence, contribute to capture planning for pursuits.
• Maintain an awareness of WSP’s business strategy, services, people and projects to support the preparation of proposals and work winning strategies in the capture phase.

Team support & leadership

• Act as a mentor and support for junior members of the team.

Core Skills

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate

• Excellent command of language for editing and proofing text.
• Strong and effective verbal and written communication, team player and collaborative.
• Ability to develop strong relationships and rapport with internal and external stakeholders.
• People skills to encourage, motivate and enthuse others.
• Robust organisational and project management skills with a meticulous approach to detail and quality.
• Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritise.
• Flexibility to meet demanding proposal deadlines when necessary.

Technical & sector knowledge

• Knowledge and understanding of standard private and public sector proposal processes, with experience coordinating proposals, bids or work winning activities ideally within infrastructure consultancy or related sectors.
• Accurate and proficient working knowledge in Microsoft office, Adobe suite, InDesign (desired) and graphics skills.
• Excellent research and analytical skills - ability to interpret data and research into meaningful content.

Behaviours & approach

• A passion for quality and continuous improvement with a focus on delivery.
• Drive and support the culture of openness and knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.
• Exhibit and demonstrate behaviours and attitudes in accordance with WSP core values to create a team culture and promote excellent communications.
• Adopt a pro‑active approach, use initiative and take responsibility for own actions.

Qualifications

• Degree‑level qualification (any relevant discipline).
• APMP Foundation as a minimum.

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.