Associate Director of Business Growth

Associate Director of Business Growth

City/Country Location Details: London, UK; Hemel Hempstead, UK

Employment Status: Full-Time Regular

Job Type: Corporate

Main purpose of role:

DAI is seeking an experienced and dynamic Associate Director of Business Development to join our team in the UK to spearhead the establishment and management of a market-leading bidding and proposal development function. This pivotal role involves driving the company’s growth through strategic proposal development, enhancing our competitive edge in the international development sector. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional leadership and stakeholder management qualities, a sharp eye for detail, a proven track record in developing winning strategies, orchestrating high-calibre proposal teams, and securing substantial contracts in a highly competitive environment.

Key tasks, duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

1. Bidding function leadership:
   • Establish and manage a market-leading capture and bidding function, meeting high standards for proposal quality and competitiveness; maintain guidance documents, tools, and templates.
   • Develop and implement best practices, tools, and processes for effective bid management; provide training and guidance to team members across the organisation to strengthen cross-company bidding capabilities.
   • Ensure relevant procurement regulations and DAI’s own internal controls are followed.
   • Monitor FCDO’s (and other clients’) evolving procurement strategies and practices, ensuring these are communicated across the business and understood.
   • Monitor trends in client programming priorities and emerging changes in procurement evaluation criteria to ensure DAI is able to respond.
   • Establish and maintain a process for bid compliance checking.
   • Maintain and further develop a suite of support documents needed for bids, including policies and supporting information needed for bid supplier qualifications.
2. Strategic proposal development:
   • Lead and oversee team initiatives to develop new business opportunities within relevant client markets.
   • Keep abreast of market developments and work with technical teams to identify new opportunities that support the generation of a new business pipeline.
   • Monitor client portals and share information in a timely way with technical teams.
   • Work with technical teams to develop and implement winning bid strategies, including effective information capture, communications, and proposal development plans.
   • Oversee effective resourcing for priority bids.
   • Undertake reconnaissance visits where appropriate.
   • Assess the risks and challenges (financial, operational, and technical) with specific opportunities.
   • Oversee, maintain, and develop a network of client contacts and partner firms.
   • Oversee the production of both technical and financial proposals.
   • Ensure high-quality written proposals, including reviewing and contributing as a writer.
   • Liaise with the Commercial Team to prepare a competitive and viable commercial proposal.
   • Undertake and/or assist team members with negotiations with subcontractors and partners.
3. Team management:
   • Build and lead a high-performing team, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
   • Coach and mentor team members to develop their skills in bid management and proposal writing.
   • Support resource planning and recruitment for Business Growth UK, including preparation of work schedules for the team, in line with turnover and profit targets.
   • Deputise for the Head of Business Growth UK when required, e.g., attending meetings, acting as point of consultation and escalation for the Business Growth UK team.
4. Performance monitoring and reporting:
   • Monitor and report on performance of the bidding function, including proposal outcomes, return on investment, and lesson learning.
   • Provide insights and recommendations to the Head of Business Growth and senior management for enhancing business development strategies and practices.
5. Strategy:
   • Provide strategic and technical support to the Business Growth UK team.
   • Facilitate collection and dissemination of market intelligence, including opportunities for working with new clients.
   • Facilitate opportunities for other business units to bid for work with relevant clients.

Qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience:

• Postgraduate degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of best practices in capture and proposal development; certification by the Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP) or similar is an advantage.
• Experience of working overseas in a developing country.
• Strong organisational skills.
• Proven ability to manage people and lead effective teams that meet tight deadlines and high targets.
• Commercially astute with demonstrable aptitude in client development and management.
• Proven negotiation skills.
• Strong understanding of the proposal development process and project management systems.
• Strong understanding of risks faced in managing programmes in developing countries.
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
• Proactive, assertive, and action-oriented with strong intellectual agility.
• Excellent interpersonal skills – able to establish and maintain positive working relationships.
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Advanced level of MS Office and proven ability to work with various MIS systems.
• Ability to travel internationally.

Desirable:

• Ability to communicate effectively in English and at least one other language.

The salary offered will be commensurate with relevant experience. DAI offers a generous benefits package. Please provide a covering letter including your salary expectations.

There is no closing date for applications and interviews will be held progressively. Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK without the need for sponsorship.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, age, religion, sex, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.

This job description details the key elements of the role and is not an exhaustive list of duties. Job roles evolve over time and job-holders may be required to complete additional tasks in line with business needs.

If you require any adjustments to the interview or recruitment process, please contact us.

If this role sounds interesting and you would like to be part of DAI’s growing business, we look forward to hearing from you.

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