Pursuits Manager

Burges Salmon LLP; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Burges Salmon LLP is seeking a Pursuits Manager to join our award-winning firm. You will collaborate with partners, lawyers and business services to shape persuasive client propositions and drive bids from early positioning through to submission.

In this role you will turn deep expertise into clear content, manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, and help raise the quality standards across the team.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting or leading complex bids, tenders, pursuits or client proposals in a professional services environment.
• Confidence working with senior stakeholders and the ability to challenge constructively when needed.
• Strong communication and writing skills, with the ability to turn detailed information into clear, persuasive messaging.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• A collaborative approach, with a genuine enjoyment of working with and supporting others.
• The confidence to influence others and build credibility with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Curiosity, a willingness to learn and an openness to new ideas and different perspectives.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic bids and tenders from early-stage positioning through to submission and presentation.
• Partner with lawyers, partners and business services colleagues to shape compelling client propositions and pursuit strategies.
• Draw out the firm's strengths and differentiators, helping teams focus on the factors that will make the greatest impact.
• Write, refine and review clear, persuasive and client-focused content.
• Influence and challenge stakeholders constructively to strengthen responses and improve outcomes.
• Identify risks early and work collaboratively with colleagues to resolve them in a practical and effective way.
• Support teams in preparing for client presentations, interviews and pitch meetings.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of the pursuits function by sharing ideas, improving processes and helping to raise quality standards across the team.

Skills

Bid leadership

Stakeholder influence

Communication & writing

Organisational skills

Collaboration

Credibility building

Curiosity & learning

Job description

Do you enjoy the challenge of strategic bids, where close collaboration, shared accountability and high standards make the difference? We're looking for a Pursuits Manager to join our award-winning firm and play a central role in some of our most important bids, tenders and client opportunities. In this role, you will work closely with partners, lawyers and colleagues across the business to turn deep expertise into clear, persuasive client propositions. You will help shape the approach to each opportunity, bring pace and focus to the process, and support teams to produce work that is thoughtful, well judged and of a consistently high standard. This is an opportunity to make a visible impact on some of the firm's most strategically important opportunities while continuing to develop your own expertise. You'll be trusted to bring your ideas, challenge constructively and work alongside colleagues who are recognised experts in their field, all within a collaborative and supportive environment that values learning, quality and shared success.

What you'll be doing:

• Lead strategic bids and tenders from early-stage positioning through to submission and presentation.
• Partner with lawyers, partners and business services colleagues to shape compelling client propositions and pursuit strategies.
• Draw out the firm's strengths and differentiators, helping teams focus on the factors that will make the greatest impact.
• Write, refine and review clear, persuasive and client-focused content.
• Influence and challenge stakeholders constructively to strengthen responses and improve outcomes.
• Identify risks early and work collaboratively with colleagues to resolve them in a practical and effective way.
• Support teams in preparing for client presentations, interviews and pitch meetings.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of the pursuits function by sharing ideas, improving processes and helping to raise quality standards across the team.

What we're looking for:

• Experience supporting or leading complex bids, tenders, pursuits or client proposals in a professional services environment
• Confidence working with senior stakeholders and the ability to challenge constructively when needed.
• Strong communication and writing skills, with the ability to turn detailed information into clear, persuasive and client-focused messaging.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• A collaborative approach, with a genuine enjoyment of working with and supporting others.
• The confidence to influence others and build credibility with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Curiosity, a willingness to learn and an openness to new ideas and different perspectives.

What do we offer you?

• The opportunity to work on high-profile, strategic opportunities that shape the future of the firm.
• A collaborative and supportive environment where you'll work alongside experts and learn from the best.
• Exposure to a broad range of sectors, clients and high-profile opportunities that will accelerate your development.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements that support a healthy work-life balance.
• A culture that encourages continuous improvement, innovation and the sharing of knowledge and best practice.

At Burges Salmon, you'll have the opportunity to work on some of the firm's most significant and strategically important opportunities, collaborating with talented colleagues in an inclusive and supportive environment where your ideas, expertise and impact will be valued. You'll also join a workplace recognised for excellence, flexibility and responsible business practices, including:

• RollOnFriday's 'Best Law Firm to Work At' – five years running
• 'Law Firm of the Year' at the Legal Business Awards 2025
• 'Sustainable Business of the Year' at the Bristol Legal Awards 2025
• Investors in People Platinum accreditation

A full overview of our benefits and rewards can be found in the Working at Burges Salmon section of our careers website.