Senior Pursuits Manager

Burges Salmon; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Burges Salmon in Bristol is recruiting a Senior Pursuits Manager to lead the firm's most strategic client opportunities and complex tenders. You will shape pursuit strategies, coordinate partners and teams, and deliver compelling submissions that showcase the firm's strengths.

You will work closely with partners, lawyers and business services, bringing structure, momentum and clear messaging to multiple opportunities while coaching others and driving continuous improvement in the pursuits

Qualifications

• Experience leading complex bids, tenders or strategic proposals within a professional services environment.
• Strong understanding of what drives successful pursuit outcomes and the ability to shape winning strategies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to turn complex information into clear, compelling and client-focused messaging.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to influence and challenge constructively.
• The ability to remain organised, focused and adaptable while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• A collaborative and resilient approach, with a natural ability to build strong working relationships.
• Experience coaching, mentoring or developing others, either formally or informally.
• A continuous improvement mindset, with an interest in refining processes and ways of working to achieve better result

Responsibilities

• Lead the firm's most strategic bids and tenders, managing opportunities from early positioning through to submission and presentation.
• Partner with senior stakeholders to define and shape pursuit strategies that maximise the likelihood of success.
• Develop clear, persuasive and client-focused submissions that showcase the firm's strengths and differentiators.
• Provide constructive challenge and influence stakeholders at all levels to improve the quality of bids and proposals.
• Identify and mitigate risks, manage competing priorities and maintain momentum across multiple opportunities simultaneously.
• Ensure pursuit teams remain aligned, focused and working towards shared objectives and deadlines.
• Play a key leading role on wider marketing department projects.
• Act as a key deputy to the Head of Pursuits, supporting the direction and development of the function.
• Coach, mentor and support colleagues, helping to build capability and confidence across both the pursuits team and wider business.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Delivery skills

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Collaboration

Job description

Reference: 1493Are you at your best when shaping high-stakes bids, where clarity of thinking, strong collaboration and thoughtful challenge lead to better outcomes?We're looking for a Senior Pursuits Manager to take a leading role in the firm's most strategic client opportunities and complex tenders. This is a new headcount, reflecting our continued growth and investment in our pursuits capability.You don't need to come from a legal background to succeed here. We welcome people with experience across different sectors who bring strong judgement, curiosity and a track record of influencing at a senior level within high-performing, quality-driven environments.In this role, you will work closely with partners, lawyers and business services colleagues to shape compelling, client propositions. You will bring structure and direction to complex opportunities, helping teams focus on what matters most and consistently raising the quality of our approach.What you'll be doing:Lead the firm's
most strategic bids and tenders, managing opportunities from early positioning through to submission and presentation.Partner with senior stakeholders to define and shape pursuit strategies that maximise the likelihood of success.Develop clear, persuasive and client-focused submissions that showcase the firm's strengths and differentiators.Provide constructive challenge and influence stakeholders at all levels to improve the quality of bids and proposals.Identify and mitigate risks, manage competing priorities and maintain momentum across multiple opportunities simultaneously.Ensure pursuit teams remain aligned, focused and working towards shared objectives and deadlines.Play a key leading role on wider marketing department projectsAct as a key deputy to the Head of Pursuits, supporting the direction and development of the function.Coach, mentor and support colleagues, helping to build capability and confidence across both the pursuits team and wider business.What we're looking for:We're looking for someone who combines strategic thinking with strong delivery skills and a collaborative approach. You'll have the confidence to operate at senior levels and the credibility to influence, challenge and guide stakeholders effectively.You'll ideally bring:Experience leading complex bids, tenders or strategic proposals within a professional services environment.A strong understanding of what drives successful pursuit outcomes and the ability to shape winning strategies.Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to turn complex information into clear, compelling and client-focused messaging.Strong stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to influence and challenge constructively.The ability to remain organised, focused and adaptable while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.A collaborative and resilient approach, with a natural ability to build strong working relationships.Experience coaching, mentoring or developing others, either formally or informally.A continuous improvement mindset, with an interest in refining processes and ways of working to achieve better resultWhat do we offer you?The opportunity to help shape the future direction of the firm's pursuits function and influence best practice across the business. A key leadership role with the ability to mentor, coach and develop others.Be part of a high-performing, collaborative and supportive team, where your ideas, expertise and perspective are valuedThe trust and autonomy to take ownership of your work while being supported by a collaborative and experienced team.Flexible and hybrid working arrangements that support a healthy work-life balance.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 2025Investors in People Platinum accreditationA full overview of our benefits and rewards can be found in the Working at Burges Salmon section of our careers website.