Proposal Manager in Cambridge

As a Proposal Manager, you’ll play a central role in developing winning bids that drive business success for our client. You’ll lead the creation of high-quality proposals that meet customer requirements and align with organisational strategic goals, maximising the Probability of Winning (“PWIN”). From facilitating win strategy workshops and shaping compelling storyboards, to coaching subject matter experts and ensuring every submission is polished and persuasive, you’ll help turn strategy into standout proposals. This position suits an experienced manager and competent practitioner who can lead projects to achieve defined functional objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of high-quality written proposals that meet client requirements, align with strategic objectives, and are structured to maximise the Probability of Winning (“PWIN”).
• Facilitate – and where appropriate, lead – Win Strategy workshops to define and drive a winning sales approach, including assessing competitors’ strengths and weaknesses and identifying organisational differentiators, converting these insights into compelling Proposal Storyboards.
• Collaborate with capture and bid management directors to shape clear, persuasive narratives aligned with the agreed win strategy.
• Manage contributions from Subject Matter Experts and other stakeholders, ensuring proposal content is developed in line with storyboards, delivered on time, and meets both client and organisational standards for quality and branding.
• Coach and mentor Subject Matter Experts to develop persuasive bid responses, including producing supporting training materials and best-practice guidance.
• Lead ‘Red Team’ and other proposal reviews in accordance with established bid management processes to ensure submissions are both compliant and compelling.
• Edit and proof-read material to a professional English standard, applying best practice in bid and proposal writing.
• Format documents to a highly professional standard, demonstrating the ability to resolve complex formatting challenges.
• Maintain a sound understanding of the organisation’s strategy, propositions, and business practices to effectively showcase these within proposals.

Key Behaviours and Capabilities

• Comfortable working autonomously in a high-challenge, high-complexity environment while also collaborating effectively under direction when required.
• Clear public sector experience within a BPO/BPS environment.
• Strong persuasive writing skills and a solid understanding of proposal management principles, with the ability to balance multiple competing priorities.
• Skilled at building and maintaining productive internal and external relationships that promote collaboration and a positive working environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft 365 for business use, with advanced Microsoft Word skills as a minimum.
• Able to manage several concurrent priorities while maintaining strong attention to detail.
• Actively seeks feedback and demonstrates commitment to personal and professional development.
• Proactively manages own wellbeing and supports the welfare of colleagues, escalating concerns appropriately when needed.