At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead bids and create winning proposals for major infrastructure projects.
- Company: Join VSL, a global leader in specialist construction and engineering solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, excellent benefits, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on landmark projects while collaborating with industry experts.
- Qualifications: Experience in bid management and exceptional writing skills required.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
Job Location City: London
Country/Region: United Kingdom
Contract Type: Permanent
Pole: TRAVAUX PUBLICS (AP003)
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Remote/Onsite: On-site/Office based
Travel Requirements: Occasional travel
Requisition ID: 4086
Information at a Glance: As part of Bouygues Construction's Public Works division, VSL International participates in the construction of major technical structures and guarantees their structural safety and durability: transport infrastructure (bridges, tunnels), industrial and energy production structures, and commercial buildings. VSL's business is based on four areas of expertise: Structural systems and technologies, Civil engineering, Foundations and soil engineering, Preservation, structural repairs, renovation and optimization of structures. VSL has 4,000 employees at 25 locations worldwide (Asia and Oceania, Middle East, Europe, Latin America, Canada). VSL, part of Bouygues Construction, is a global leader in specialist construction and structural engineering solutions. With expertise spanning structural repairs, post-tensioning, bridge works, and specialist civils, VSL plays a key role in maintaining and enhancing the UK's critical infrastructure.
We're looking for an experienced Bid Manager & Proposal Writer to join our growing Work Winning team. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who thrives on developing winning strategies, producing high-quality proposals and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to secure landmark projects across the UK.
The Role: Reporting to the Head of Work Winning, you'll take ownership of bids from initial opportunity through to submission and contract award. You'll coordinate technical, commercial and operational teams, develop compelling win strategies and produce customer-focused submissions that clearly demonstrate why VSL is the right delivery partner. This is a highly visible role that combines strategic thinking, exceptional writing ability and strong project management skills.
Key Responsibilities:
- Bid Management: Lead allocated bids from Go/No Go through to submission and award. Develop and manage bid programmes, ensuring deadlines are achieved. Coordinate multidisciplinary bid teams and facilitate review meetings. Manage governance, approvals, risks and client clarifications throughout the bid lifecycle.
- Proposal Development: Develop compelling win themes and customer-focused messaging. Write, edit and review high-quality technical and non-technical submissions. Translate complex engineering solutions into clear, persuasive proposals. Ensure all responses fully meet client requirements and evaluation criteria.
- Strategy & Work Winning: Support opportunity qualification and bid strategy development. Facilitate workshops to identify key differentiators and value propositions. Challenge technical teams to maximise customer value and innovation within submissions.
- Stakeholder Management: You’ll work closely with senior leaders across the business, including: Managing Director, Head of Strategy & Partnerships, Business Line Directors, Engineering and Operations teams, Commercial and HSEQ teams, Supply chain partners, Designers, consultants and Marketing. You'll build strong relationships while confidently driving contributors towards the highest submission standards.
- Continuous Improvement: Manage proposal quality through structured review stages. Capture lessons learned and drive continual improvement. Maintain and develop VSL's proposal library, including case studies, methodologies, CVs, technical content and submission templates.
About You: We're looking for someone who combines excellent writing skills with commercial awareness and the ability to manage multiple priorities within a fast-paced environment.
Essential:
- Proven experience managing bids within construction, engineering or infrastructure.
- Outstanding written communication and proposal writing skills.
- Ability to interpret complex technical information and present it clearly.
- Strong project management and organisational skills.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Experience managing multiple concurrent deadlines.
- Ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders.
- Strong commercial awareness and understanding of tender evaluation processes.
- Advanced Microsoft Office skills.
Desirable:
- APMP Foundation or Practitioner qualification.
- Degree in English, Marketing, Engineering, Construction Management or a related discipline.
- Knowledge of NEC contracts.
- Experience of public sector procurement.
- Experience within civil engineering, geotechnical engineering, bridges or specialist construction.
Why Join VSL? At VSL, you'll be part of a collaborative, supportive team delivering some of the UK's most technically challenging infrastructure projects. You'll have the opportunity to influence major bids, work alongside industry-leading professionals and contribute directly to the continued growth of our business. We offer a competitive salary, excellent benefits and genuine opportunities for professional development within an international organisation backed by Bouygues Construction. If you're passionate about creating winning submissions and want to play a key role in securing the future of major infrastructure projects, we'd love to hear from you.
Bid Manager & Proposals Writer employer: Bouygues Construction SA
Bouygues Construction SA is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment where quality and safety are paramount. Employees benefit from a strong culture of collaboration and continuous improvement, with ample opportunities for professional development within the exciting context of the Sizewell C project. Located in Leiston, this role not only contributes to a significant national infrastructure initiative but also provides a chance to be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to excellence in engineering.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Bid Manager & Proposals Writer
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Bouygues Construction SA, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Bid Manager & Proposals Writer at Bouygues Construction SA.
We think you need these skills to ace Bid Manager & Proposals Writer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Bouygues Construction SA
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
