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- Tasks: Lead pre-construction bidding and client engagement for high-value projects.
- Company: Join a growing £20M contractor specialising in M&E, fire protection, and HVAC solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy a £6,500 car allowance, 25 days leave, annual bonuses, and health cash plans.
- Why this job: Shape the company's growth strategy while leading a dynamic sales team in a collaborative culture.
- Qualifications: Experience in proposals or business development within M&E, Fire, or HVAC sectors is essential.
- Other info: Full UK driving licence required; travel across the UK is part of the role.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 84000 £ per year.
Job Title: Proposals Director – M&E, Fire, HVAC
Location: Hampshire
Salary: £70,000+ per annum
Package: £6,500 car allowance or company car + comprehensive benefits
Reports to: Sales Director
Department: Sales
Overview
A growing £20M-turnover contractor specialising in M&E, fire protection, and HVAC solutions is seeking a strategic and commercially focused Proposals Director . Based in Hampshire , this is a key leadership role responsible for overseeing all aspects of pre-construction bidding, pipeline development, and strategic client engagement-particularly across high-value, technically complex projects such as data centres.
This role will shape the company\’s work-winning strategy and lead a high-performing sales and technical team to secure opportunities that align with long-term growth plans.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Growth & Client Development
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Build and manage a qualified, sustainable sales pipeline aligned with business objectives
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Identify and pursue high-value opportunities across the M&E, Fire, and HVAC sectors
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Represent the company at industry events, client meetings, and networking opportunities
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Strengthen relationships with key clients and stakeholders to increase win rates
Tendering & Technical Oversight
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Lead the preparation and submission of complex technical bids and tenders
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Oversee proposals involving fire detection, suppression, HVAC, life safety, and integrated building systems
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Focus on high-value opportunities, particularly in data centres and technically demanding environments
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Identify and mitigate risk, scope gaps, and interfacing issues during bid stage
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Work collaboratively with estimating, design, and delivery teams
Team Leadership & Marketing
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Lead and mentor a direct internal sales and proposals team
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Align team activity with company targets and performance goals
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Support the execution of marketing strategies alongside senior leadership
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Promote a high-performance, client-focused team culture
Commercial & Operational Integration
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Ensure proposals are accurate, commercially viable, and aligned with project delivery
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Validate budgets and subcontractor pricing prior to submission
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Support detailed handovers to contracts and project delivery teams
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Track commercial KPIs, contribute to forecasting, and maintain CRM data integrity
Required Experience
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Proven success in a proposals, estimating, or business development leadership role within the M&E, Fire, or HVAC sectors
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Deep technical understanding of mechanical and electrical systems, fire safety, and building services solutions
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Experience in delivering successful bids in data centre or critical infrastructure environments (preferred)
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Strong commercial acumen, leadership ability, and excellent client engagement skills
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Proficient in preparing tender documents, build budgets, and contract proposals
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Ability to work cross-functionally with design, commercial, and operations teams
Qualifications
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Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related discipline (preferred)
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Relevant fire safety or building services accreditations (e.g., FIA, LPCB)
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Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel nationally
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CSCS and/or NVQ Level 6 or higher (desirable)
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Must have the right to work in the UK
Benefits
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£6,500 car allowance or company car
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£70k+ basic salary
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25 days annual leave (increasing with service)
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Annual bonus scheme
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Annual pay reviews
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SW Pension
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Holiday purchase scheme
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Health cash plan
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Enhanced sick pay
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Enhanced maternity, paternity & shared parental leave
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Death in Service cover
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Company events and staff engagement initiatives
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Proposals Director – M&E, Fire, HVAC employer: Strong Recruitment Group
Contact Detail:
Strong Recruitment Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Proposals Director – M&E, Fire, HVAC
✨Tip Number 1
Network actively within the M&E, Fire, and HVAC sectors. Attend industry events and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn to build relationships that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills by discussing past experiences where you successfully led teams or projects. Highlight your ability to mentor others and drive a high-performance culture.
✨Tip Number 3
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and technologies in data centres and critical infrastructure. Being knowledgeable about these areas will help you stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your commercial acumen and how you've successfully managed budgets and pricing in previous roles. This will demonstrate your capability to ensure proposals are commercially viable.
We think you need these skills to ace Proposals Director – M&E, Fire, HVAC
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in proposals, estimating, or business development within the M&E, Fire, or HVAC sectors. Emphasise your leadership skills and any successful bids you've delivered, particularly in data centre environments.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your strategic thinking and client engagement skills. Mention specific examples of how you've built sustainable sales pipelines and led teams to success in previous roles.
Highlight Technical Expertise: In your application, clearly outline your technical understanding of mechanical and electrical systems, fire safety, and building services solutions. This is crucial for a role that involves overseeing complex technical bids.
Showcase Leadership Experience: Detail your experience in leading and mentoring teams. Discuss how you've aligned team activities with company targets and contributed to a high-performance culture, as this is a key aspect of the Proposals Director role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Strong Recruitment Group
✨Showcase Your Technical Knowledge
As a Proposals Director, you'll need to demonstrate a deep understanding of M&E, fire safety, and HVAC systems. Be prepared to discuss specific projects you've worked on, particularly in data centres or critical infrastructure, and how your technical expertise contributed to successful bids.
✨Highlight Leadership Experience
This role requires strong leadership skills. Share examples of how you've led teams in the past, mentored colleagues, and aligned team activities with business objectives. Emphasise your ability to foster a high-performance culture focused on client satisfaction.
✨Prepare for Commercial Discussions
Expect questions about commercial acumen and budget management. Be ready to discuss how you've validated budgets and pricing in previous roles, and how you ensure proposals are commercially viable while meeting project delivery standards.
✨Demonstrate Client Engagement Skills
Client relationships are key in this position. Prepare to talk about how you've built and maintained relationships with stakeholders, represented your company at industry events, and increased win rates through strategic client engagement.
