At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support proposal development for high-stakes bids, shaping messaging and strategy.
- Company: Join BDO, a dynamic accountancy and business advisory firm driving entrepreneurial success.
- Benefits: Enjoy career development, mentoring, and a supportive, people-centred culture.
- Other info: Access to state-of-the-art collaboration spaces and continuous learning opportunities.
- Why this job: Make an impact by helping businesses succeed while growing your skills in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing bids and proposals, strong writing skills, and ability to coach others.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 € per year.
We’re BDO, an accountancy and business advisory firm, providing the advice and solutions entrepreneurial organisations need to navigate today’s changing world. We work with companies that are Britain’s economic engine – ambitious, entrepreneurially-spirited and high growth businesses that fuel the economy - and directly advise the owners and management teams that lead them.
Our Sales and Marketing team is being reshaped to directly support BDO’s growth ambitions. We’re building a high-performing function that is proud of its technical skills, reliable in delivery, and outcome-led in how we prioritise and execute. You’ll join a team big enough to offer diverse roles and opportunities, yet personal enough to ensure you’re supported and empowered from day one. Here, we think beyond activity. You’ll bring ideas, fresh thinking and help shape how we deliver campaigns, insights and engagement across the business.
Leading organisations trust us because of the quality of our advice. That quality grows from a thorough understanding of their business, which comes from working closely with them and building long-lasting relationships. You’ll be someone who is both comfortable working pro-actively and managing your own tasks, as well as confident collaborating with others and communicating regularly with senior managers, directors, and BDO’s partners.
The Sales and Marketing team are recruiting a Pursuits and Proposals Manager.
Role purpose
The Pursuit and Proposal Manager supports the firm’s priority pursuits with a blend of coaching and hands-on proposal support. The role works on significant bids where disciplined governance, strong win themes and high-quality written submissions are required, partnering closely with pursuit leads to shape messaging and differentiation and to deliver a distinctive proposal and pitch approach. This role supports and contributes to coaching while also taking a more active role in proposal development—working closely with designers, content owners and production support to strengthen the look, feel, structure and persuasiveness of the submission.
Key responsibilities
- Support development of win themes and differentiated messaging; ensure they are applied consistently across proposal and pitch materials.
- Identify evidence gaps and coordinate inputs from SMEs and asset sources to strengthen proof points.
- Contribute to competitor/buyer understanding and implications for how the team should position the response.
- Drive the proposal management process on assigned pursuits: workplan, contributors, deadlines, review cycles and actions.
- Shape the structure, narrative flow and clarity of the submission; edit and improve content for quality and buyer relevance.
- Work closely with Design/document production to ensure a professional, distinctive and consistent output.
- Support pitch preparation and rehearsal sessions: provide feedback on story, structure, roles and QandA.
- Coach managers/SMs on effective bid behaviours and standards, escalating where issues risk quality or readiness.
- Coordinate with Content/Markets Activation/Marketing teams where messaging alignment or campaign context is relevant.
You’ll be someone with:
- Strong experience managing bids and proposals in a professional services or complex B2B environment.
- Ability to coach and influence stakeholders while also managing delivery and document quality.
- Strong writing/editing judgement and ability to shape persuasive narratives.
- Confident coordinating multiple contributors and deadlines; strong risk awareness.
- Comfortable supporting pitch preparation and rehearsals.
At BDO, we’ll help you achieve your personal goals and career ambitions, and we have programmes, resources, and frameworks that provide clarity and structure around career development. Mutual support and respect is one of BDO’s core values and we’re proud of our distinctive, people-centred culture. Our agile working framework helps us stay connected, bringing teams together where and when it counts so they can share ideas and help one another.
BDO’s people represent a wealth of knowledge and expertise, and we’ll encourage you to build your network, work alongside others, and share your skills and experiences. With a range of multidisciplinary events and dedicated resources, you’ll never stop learning at BDO.
At BDO, we help entrepreneurial businesses to succeed, fuelling the UK economy. Our success is powered by our people, which is why we’re always finding new ways to invest in you. We’ve got a clear purpose, and we’re confident in our future, because we’re adapting and evolving to build on our strengths, ensuring we continue to find the right combination of global reach, integrity and expertise.
We shape the future together with openness and clarity, because we believe in empowering people to think creatively about how we can do things better.
Pursuits and Proposals Manager - Audit employer: BDO UK
At BDO, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive and people-centred culture that fosters personal and professional growth. Our commitment to collaboration is reflected in our state-of-the-art office spaces and agile working framework, ensuring you have the resources and connections needed to thrive. With a focus on coaching, mentoring, and continuous learning, you'll be empowered to shape your career while contributing to the success of ambitious businesses across the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Pursuits and Proposals Manager - Audit
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy to reach out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your pitch! When you land that interview, make sure you can clearly articulate your experience and how it aligns with BDO’s goals. Role-play with a friend or use our resources to refine your storytelling skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Bring examples of your past work to interviews. Whether it’s proposals you’ve managed or successful bids, having tangible proof of your skills will set you apart from the competition.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the latest roles tailored to your skills and interests, making it easier for us to connect.
We think you need these skills to ace Pursuits and Proposals Manager - Audit
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Unique Voice:When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see your unique perspective and how you can contribute to our team. Don’t be afraid to share your ideas and experiences that make you stand out.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application for the Pursuits and Proposals Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in managing bids and proposals, and connect your skills to the specific responsibilities mentioned in the job description. This shows us you’re genuinely interested!
Be Clear and Concise:We appreciate clarity! Keep your writing straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where necessary to break down your achievements and skills, making it easier for us to see why you’d be a great fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do at BDO.
How to prepare for a job interview at BDO UK
✨Know Your BDO Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into BDO's values, mission, and recent projects. Understanding their approach to supporting entrepreneurial businesses will help you align your answers with their goals and demonstrate your genuine interest in the firm.
✨Showcase Your Proposal Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience managing bids and proposals. Prepare specific examples that highlight your ability to shape persuasive narratives and coordinate multiple contributors. This will show that you can handle the demands of the Pursuits and Proposals Manager role.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Since the role involves working closely with various teams, be prepared to talk about your collaborative experiences. Share instances where you successfully influenced stakeholders or coached team members, showcasing your ability to foster a supportive environment.
✨Prepare for Pitch Scenarios
Anticipate questions related to pitch preparation and rehearsal sessions. Think of how you would provide feedback on story structure and roles. This will demonstrate your readiness to contribute effectively to the proposal management process.
