Pursuits Strategist - Senior Associate

Ernst & Young Advisory Services Sdn Bhd; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 500 000 - 700 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global professional services firm is seeking a strategic professional to enhance its business development team in Johannesburg. The role involves supporting pursuit teams in developing high-quality proposals and managing timelines. Candidates should have over 4 years of experience in business development or marketing, along with strong communication skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office. Join the team to grow your career in a dynamic environment focused on collaborative success.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of relevant experience in business development, marketing, or project management.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially PowerPoint and Word.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Detail-oriented with strong organisational skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage the execution of the pursuit process, including critical timelines.
• Assess the competitive landscape and develop a win strategy.
• Collaborate with the extended pursuit team to articulate a compelling client offer.
• Provide ongoing proposal strategy and support.
• Build collaborative relationships with pursuit teams.

Skills

Business development

Marketing

Project management

Written communication

Verbal communication

Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Word)

Organisational skills

Detail-oriented

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Language, Communications, Marketing, or Business

Graduate degree

Job description

You will provide strategic and tactical support to pursuit teams in delivering high-quality pursuit materials, including coordination. You will assist in proposal development, manage timelines, and contribute to strategic communications that help EY win new business.

Where this role fits

This role is part of EY’s Clients and Industries’ Business Development Strategic Pursuits team. You will work closely with Senior Partners, Client Executives, client service professionals, designers and account teams, to support pursuit activities and contribute to the success of strategic opportunities.

Delivery requirements

You will be responsible for supporting the team in developing and implementing pursuit strategies, coordinating pursuit timelines, supporting proposal development, maintaining documentation, and ensuring adherence to EY’s brand and quality standards. You will also assist in preparing materials for client meetings and presentations.

Core responsibilities

• Manage the execution of the pursuit process, including the critical path, timeline, strategic communications process, and interdependencies on the firm’s largest and strategically significant pursuits.
• Assess the competitive landscape and help develop a differentiated win strategy focused on client priorities while protecting EY’s interests.
• Develop a relationship map and tactics to navigate the client buying process.
• Consult with Partners, Client Executives, and BD leadership to develop and implement pursuit materials designed to achieve specific results.
• Collaborate with the extended pursuit team to define, package, and articulate a compelling client offer across the scope.
• Provide ongoing proposal strategy and support, including planning the storyline/key messages and preparing the extended team for orals.
• Be responsible for the development of all client-facing, written deliverables (e.g., meeting documents, proposals, presentations) that adhere to the firm's style guide in collaboration with the Creative Designer for design and formatting.
• Author original content when critical and/or necessary (e.g., cover letter, executive summary) and leverage relevant firm resources to source non-critical, boilerplate content when appropriate.
• Build collaborative relationships with pursuit teams, including Service Line, Account, and Business Development leaders as well as Senior Managers, Managers, and Staff.
• Manage multiple proposals/priorities simultaneously.

Required experience and skills

• 4+ years of relevant experience in business development, marketing, or project management.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially PowerPoint and Word.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Detail-oriented with strong organisational skills.
• Must be able to operate in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Solution-oriented with the ability to make sound recommendations and decisions.
• Self-motivated, resourceful, and able to work on one's own initiative with limited supervision.

Nice to have

• Experience in professional services is an asset.
• APMP, PMP certification is considered advantageous.
• Bachelor’s degree in Language, Communications, Marketing, or Business; a graduate degree or equivalent experience is preferred.

What we look for

We are looking for a proactive and collaborative team player who is eager to learn and grow within the Strategic Pursuits team. You should be resourceful, adaptable, and committed to delivering high-quality work in a fast-paced environment.

Who We Are

At EY, we support you in achieving your unique potential both personally and professionally. We give you stretching and rewarding experiences that keep you motivated, working in an atmosphere of integrity and teaming with some of the world's most successful companies.