Proposals Manager (Water)

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.