At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative bids and strategies to win exciting projects in urban planning and design.
- Company: Join Arup, a global leader in shaping sustainable environments for over 75 years.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, profit sharing, health benefits, and endless learning opportunities.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with a commitment to personal growth and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on communities while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in marketing or business; experience in leading work winning teams and managing bids.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Arup’s purpose, shared values and collaborative approach has set us apart for over 75 years, guiding how we shape a better world. Arup is the creative force at the heart of many of the world’s most prominent projects in the built and natural environment. Working in more than 140 countries, the firm’s designers, engineers, architects, planners, consultants, and technical specialists work with our clients on innovative projects of the highest quality and impact.
The Work Winning Lead oversees Priority Pursuits and bid support needs in the CPD Portfolio in the UKIMEA region, while also partnering with the portfolio leadership team to shape and implement work winning strategies. The role blends tactical bid delivery with strategic pipeline development, client engagement plans, bidding, performance insight and analysis.
The Work Winning Lead coordinates and inputs to pursuits, develops bids with proposal teams, and supports client-specific Business Development activities. They also work closely with Portfolio and Business Development leadership to design and embed work winning frameworks, knowledge management, upskilling, and client-centric strategies that increase win rates and operational confidence.
The Work Winning Lead manages the UKIMEA CPD work winning team, assigns tasks, gives advice and direction on bid practice, and guides their professional development. The Work Winning Lead continually role models and promotes bidding best practice and improvement. The overall remit of the team is to help increase win rates.
Key responsibilities:- Work with the CPD portfolio leadership to establish and manage a pipeline of opportunities
- Lead proposal management and bid coordination across CPD teams in UKIMEA
- Guide pursuit and positioning strategy, scheduling, compliance and submission production through the full capture and bid cycle – with a view to increasing quality of capture, bids, win rate and return on investment
- Work closely with the CPD marketing business partner to maintain the Arup brand through all stages of the capture, work winning and delivery cycle
- Collaborate with technical teams, bid directors, bid managers and MCBD colleagues to deliver winning submissions
- Drive client engagement planning and pre-positioning for Priority Pursuits, using an integrated approach
- Promote structured use of CRM and bid lifecycle tools to enhance pipeline visibility and efficient reporting, bid production and bid quality
- Supervise work winning team members and contribute to talent development and succession planning to ensure it has the right capabilities now and for the future
- Oversee consistency and excellence in Arup’s work winning process and submissions by taking part in win strategy workshops, answer planning sessions, pink reviews and red reviews
- Contribute to and champion wider work winning and relationship improvement initiatives via the MCBD skills network
- Embed knowledge management and insights reporting to inform future pursuits
Is this role right for you?
- Bachelor's degree in marketing, business or related field
- Proven success in leading work winning teams located across different geographies and of contributing to winning major CPD sector bids
- Strong understanding of procurement practices and relevant regulations, particularly in the public sector
- Knowledge of the CPD sector and markets, including key clients, partners and competitors
- Knowledge of the Design & Build market, key contractors and characteristics of such bids
- Experience in managing a pipeline of Priority Pursuits, including the use of digital tools such as MS Dynamics CRM
- Experience of leading and contributing to improvement initiatives that directly affect the skills, tools and processes relevant to winning work
- Ability to work collaboratively with others under pressure
- Competitive drive and dedication to delivering high-quality submissions within challenging deadlines
- Ability to identify and communicate work winning priorities and strategies to a wide variety of stakeholders, including internal technical colleagues and external partners
- Ability to lead and develop others so that they are able to flourish and progress their career within Arup
- Ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic environment
- Commitment to Arup’s values: humane organisation, quality of work, and honourable dealings
What we offer you
At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together. Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.
We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts.
Different people, shared values
Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas – this drives our excellence.
Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross-cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion – we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference.
We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible to all candidates. Please contact lia.wiltsher@arup.com to let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments throughout your application or interview process, and/or to perform the essential functions of the role. We will do everything we can to support you.
Our Application Process
To understand what to expect next, please visit https://www.arup.com/careers/recruitment-process/ Stay safe online – Arup will never ask for your bank details as part of our recruitment process.
Work Winning Lead - Cities, Planning, and Design employer: Arup
Arup is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and wellbeing of its members, offering a collaborative work culture where creativity and innovation thrive. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, employees benefit from a supportive environment that fosters professional development and provides opportunities to engage in impactful projects across the built and natural environment. Located in the UKIMEA region, Arup's unique ownership structure allows for shared success through profit sharing, ensuring that every member contributes to and benefits from the company's achievements.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Work Winning Lead - Cities, Planning, and Design
✨Get Your Portfolio Game On Point
As an aspiring architect, your portfolio is your golden ticket. Make sure it's not just a collection of your best work, but tells a story about your design process and creative thought. Showcase a range of projects, from conceptual sketches to final renderings—think of it as a visual CV!
✨Slide into Networking Events
Architecture thrives on community connections, so keep an eye out for local architecture meetups, exhibitions, and lectures. These events are gold for meeting industry professionals, and who knows? You might just bump into someone from Arup who can give you the insider scoop on their hiring process!
✨Learn the Software Inside Out
Make sure you're up to speed with design software like AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp. Being able to discuss your proficiency during interviews can really set you apart. Plus, if you can mention particular projects where you’ve used them, you’ll demonstrate both skill and practical experience.
✨Refine Your Interview Skills
Interviews for architecture roles can get quite technical, so practice answering questions about your design process and decision-making strategies. Prepare for potential design challenges they might put forward in interviews—show them you can think on your feet and come up with innovative solutions!
We think you need these skills to ace Work Winning Lead - Cities, Planning, and Design
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Design Skills:Architecture is all about creativity and technical skills, so make sure your portfolio is front and centre! Include a range of your best projects, showcasing different styles and techniques. Don't forget to explain your design process and the challenges you overcame for each project – it gives hiring managers a glimpse into your thought process!
Tailor Your CV to Architecture:When putting together your CV, highlight relevant experience in architectural design software, like AutoCAD or Revit. Plus, if you have any internships or coursework that involved real-world projects, be sure to mention them. We want to see not just what you've done, but how it relates directly to this role at Arup!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Arup. Talk about specific projects or values of theirs you admire, and how you see yourself contributing to their team. We want to feel your enthusiasm – let it shine through your words!
Use Professional Terminology:Don't shy away from using industry-specific jargon that demonstrates your expertise! Terms like 'sustainability', 'scale', and 'aesthetics' can not only show your knowledge but also help you connect with the hiring team. Just ensure it's done in a way that's relatable and not overly technical, so we can see your passion clearly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arup
✨Master the Technical Questions
In an architecture interview, be ready to tackle some technical questions about building codes, design principles, and software like AutoCAD or Revit. Brush up on your knowledge of materials and components, as you might even face scenarios to solve during the interview that showcase your problem-solving skills in real-time.
✨Bring Your Portfolio to Life
Your portfolio is your golden ticket! Make sure it not only showcases your best work but also highlights your design thinking process, from sketches to final outputs. During the interview, be prepared to discuss the projects in detail—what challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learnt.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability
In today's architecture landscape, sustainability is key. Be sure to highlight any projects that involved eco-friendly designs or your understanding of sustainable practices. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the trends but are genuinely passionate about creating a better future through your designs.
✨Engage with Your Interviewers
Architecture is a collaborative field, so showing that you're a team player is essential. When conversing with the interviewers, actively listen and respond to their ideas. This isn’t just about you showing off your skills, but also about connecting and demonstrating how well you’d fit into their team at Arup.
