Proposals Manager (Water)

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Basingstoke; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Health and wellbeing programs

Professional development opportunities

Employee resource groups for inclusivity

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in the UK seeks a Proposals Manager to oversee the delivery of compelling proposals for the Water sector. This role involves managing the proposal lifecycle, engaging stakeholders, and ensuring high-quality submissions. The ideal candidate will have a degree and experience in proposal processes, along with exemplary project management and communication skills. This position offers a hybrid working arrangement and a focus on inclusivity and personal development.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of private and public sector proposal processes.
• Experience managing proposals, bids, or work winning activities.
• Ability to develop relationships and rapport with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Manage proposal delivery from kick-off to contract award.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams to produce compelling bids.
• Contribute to proposal winning strategies and capture plans.

Skills

Project management

Proposal writing

Stakeholder engagement

Microsoft Office proficiency

Research and analytical skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Time management

Education

Degree-level qualification (any relevant discipline)

APMP Foundation certification

Tools

Adobe Suite

InDesign

Job description

Job Description

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs? At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

A Little More About Your Role

The purpose of the Proposals Manager is to manage the delivery of high-quality, persuasive proposals that secure new work for the Water business unit and support multidisciplinary activities within the water sector. As a key member in the proposals team, the Proposals Manager coordinates business leaders, technical staff, and proposal specialists to ensure proposals are well-structured, tailored to client needs, and reflect the objectives of the Water team. Once assigned to an opportunity, the Proposals Manager establishes and guides the bid team, manages client and partner engagement, organises key review and approval meetings, and oversees the proposal submission process. By developing effective win strategies, producing detailed tender plans, and managing written responses, the Proposals Manager ensures that submissions are delivered efficiently and successfully handed over to delivery teams when bids are won. Additionally, the role contributes to wider business development efforts, supporting marketing, client engagement, and the management of content, collateral, and pipeline information to drive the ongoing growth and success of the Water business unit.

Core Responsibilities

The Proposals Manager is responsible for planning, organising, monitoring and controlling bid and proposal activities across the work winning lifecycle, from capture through to contract award. They manage programmes, timelines and deliverables; engage stakeholders; support win strategy development; and compile high‑quality, compliant proposal submissions. Working closely with technical and project leaders, clients and partners, they produce compelling written content and ensure governance and review processes are followed. The role focuses on delivering persuasive bids aligned with company objectives, maximising success, and enabling the continuous improvement of work winning processes, tools, collateral and best practice.

Bid 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 Water 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.
• Play an active role in gathering and evaluating market data, client insights and competitor intelligence, and make meaningful contributions to the development of capture plans for targeted 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.

What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate

• Knowledge and understanding of private and public sector proposal processes, with experience managing 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.
• Degree‑level qualification (any relevant discipline).
• APMP Foundation as a minimum.
• Excellent research and analytical skills - ability to interpret data and research into meaningful content.
• 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.
• Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritise.
• Flexibility to meet demanding proposal deadlines when necessary.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.

With us, you can. Apply today.

About Us

We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our 72,800 passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 9,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

Work-life balance: At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community. Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging: We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote our culture of inclusivity.

Health & Wellbeing: We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme. Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex your time: To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day. We also provide part-time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development: We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

#WeAreWSP

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.