At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex bids and pitches, shaping strategies to win and coaching teams for success.
- Company: Join BDO, a dynamic accountancy and business advisory firm focused on entrepreneurial growth.
- Benefits: Access to top-notch training, supportive teams, and clear career development pathways.
- Other info: Enjoy a people-centred culture with opportunities for continuous learning and networking.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving winning strategies and collaborating with talented professionals.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading high-value bids and strong storytelling skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Ideas | People | Trust
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 the 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.
We’ll broaden your horizons
Our Sales & Marketing team is building a function that reflects who we are: open, trusted and focused on shaping what matters.
You’ll join a team big enough to offer big priorities and commercial challenges, yet personal enough to ensure you’re supported and empowered from day one.
Here, we think beyond.
You’ll bring ideas, challenge thinking and help shape how we deliver campaigns, insights and engagement across the business.
Working closely with internal clients, you’ll deepen your understanding of our sectors and see how connected teams drive our 2028 growth ambitions.
From strategic storytelling to capability‑building and smarter ways of working, you’ll grow your skills while working with people who care about doing the right thing.
We’ll help you succeed
In this team, development is central to how we work.
You’ll have access to best‑in‑class training, clear capability frameworks and hands‑on learning that give you the confidence and skills to grow quickly.
We make it personal with supportive teams where you belong, are trusted, and take transformative work on early.
You’ll collaborate across service lines and leadership levels, building relationships grounded in openness and accountability.
You’ll bring your best - taking ownership, delivering quality and building trust across the firm.
In return, you’ll get clarity, fair feedback and the development you need to succeed.
You won’t just complete tasks - you’ll help shape how the team evolves and how we support the business.
Role purpose
The Pursuit and Proposal Senior Manager (Deals team) is the lead pursuit coach for the firm’s largest and most complex bids, accountable for shaping and executing the overall approach to winning.
The role partners with pursuit leads and senior stakeholders to develop win strategy, win themes and differentiation, and to ensure the team’s pitch and presentation approach is compelling, rehearsed and aligned to the written submission.
This role is coaching-led.
It drives disciplined pursuit governance (go/no-go inputs, probability-to win thinking, milestone reviews), influences the pursuit team’s behaviours and decisions, and elevates how the firm shows up to buyers.
The role may work alongside a proposal manager supporting production but remains accountable for the strategic “win it” approach and for increasing win likelihood on priority pursuits aligned to growth and market priorities.
Key responsibilities
- Shape win strategy, win themes and “how we win” narrative based on buyer needs, decision dynamics and competitive context.
- Challenge and strengthen differentiation, proof points and risk handling, ensuring the case to win is clear and evidenced.
- Coach pursuit leads and senior stakeholders to improve pursuit behaviours, decision‑making and quality of execution.
- Facilitate key pursuit working sessions to align teams around the strategy, storyline and roles.
- Lead pitch preparation and rehearsal approach: narrative structure, choreography, speaking roles, audience targeting and Qand A readiness.
- Advise on and enforce pursuit milestones and review gates (strategy, storyline, draft quality and readiness checks).
- Identify risks early (strategy, evidence gaps, capability, time) and elevate with recommendations.
- Work with Content/Markets Activation/Design and Bid Hub Knowledge colleagues to ensure proposals and pitches use the best available assets and proof points.
- Contribute to win/loss debriefs and convert learning into improvements in coaching approach, templates and playbooks.
- Provide insight into pursuit pipeline and readiness for reporting and prioritisation.
- You’ll be someone with
- Significant experience leading high-value, complex bids and pitches in a professional services or complex B2B environment.
- Strong track record of improving win performance through strategy, coaching and disciplined rehearsal.
- Excellent facilitation and senior stakeholder influence skills.
- Strong commercial judgement and ability to assess probability-to-win and readiness.
- High editorial/storytelling capability with strong buyer orientation.
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.
We’re in it together
Mutual support and respect is one of BDO’s core values and we’re proud of our distinctive, people‑centred culture.
From informal success conversations to formal mentoring and coaching, we’ll support you at every stage in your career, whatever your personal and professional needs.
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.
At BDO, you’ll always have access to the people and resources you need to do your best work.
We know that collaboration is the key to creating value for the companies we work with and satisfying experiences for our colleagues, so we’ve invested in state‑of‑the‑art collaboration spaces in our offices.
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.
We’re looking forward to the future
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.
Across the UK thousands of unique minds continue to come together to help companies we work with to achieve their ambitions
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.
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Pursuits and Proposals Senior Manager - Deals employer: BDO UK
As an Audit Learning and Development Assistant Manager/Manager, you will thrive in a dynamic work culture that prioritises innovation and collaboration. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through tailored learning interventions and the opportunity to engage with diverse stakeholders across multiple locations, including regular travel to London. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a supportive environment that champions professional development and operational excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Pursuits and Proposals Senior Manager - Deals
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Pursuits and Proposals Senior Manager - Deals at BDO UK!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like BDO UK or be willing to refer you for that Pursuits and Proposals Senior Manager - Deals position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from BDO UK who’s on the lookout for their next Pursuits and Proposals Senior Manager - Deals star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Pursuits and Proposals Senior Manager - Deals role at BDO UK!
We think you need these skills to ace Pursuits and Proposals Senior Manager - Deals
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at BDO UK. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at BDO UK
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at BDO UK. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!