Proposal Manager in Manchester

The opportunity to deliver Transportation’s vision. AtkinsRéalis UK&I Transportation business covers all aspects of advisory and multi-disciplinary design and management from inception to options appraisal through to detailed scheme design and delivery support. We have plans for growth and wish to recruit a Proposal Manager to support our business to lead and win strategically important priority pursuits across all markets.

Working within Transportation’s Win Work Team, the Proposal Manager will engage with our Market and Practice teams, and others from across our company to deliver our business-critical portfolio, through the use of AtkinsRéalis’ Win Work Lifecycle and Service Delivery Process.

Your role

• Review all client documents prior to a kick-off meeting and produce an opportunity summary sheet for the wider team to review.
• Oversee the delivery of all aspects of the bid process from strategy, pre-tender preparation, expression of interest (EOI), PQQ, ITT and feedback.
• Plan and manage a bid from the outset to closure whilst remaining up to date on all client changes to requirements through tender clarifications, so that we remain compliant.
• Promote the use of AtkinsRéalis win work tools and remain up to date on new tools added to the global Win Work Hub.
• Work closely with technical leads, authors and all other members of the bid team, so that a compelling bid submission is submitted to each client.
• Create and manage SharePoint sites and MS Teams sites for bid activities.
• Provide leadership, management and facilitation of the development of strategic bids; win themes, answer planning, storyboarding, bid writing / editing, and bid reviews.
• Ensure compliance with AtkinsRéalis procedures and the adoption of best practice.
• Lead the production of high-quality proposals and other collateral so that the AtkinsRéalis message and brand is promoted.
• Act as the point of escalation for bid teams.
• Be prepared to challenge, manage resistance positively.
• Ensure that appropriate bid governance and bid review processes are followed.
• Proactive involvement in the development and implementation of initiatives to improve the quality and cost effectiveness, system compliance and success of bids.
• Develop effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, helping to grow individual and team credibility and demonstrating the value that the win work team provides.
• Take the lead on the production of the bid submission and ensure it is in keeping with AtkinsRéalis corporate guidelines.

About you

• Track record of leading and winning both strategic and regional bids.
• Experience of structured bid processes, e.g. Miller Heiman Blue Sheets and Shipley bid process, and using these consistently to drive high quality bid submissions.
• Demonstrable experience of influencing bids to deliver successful outcomes.
• Demonstrable co-ordination of multidisciplinary teams to deliver winning bids (Pre-Qualification Questionnaires (PQQs) and Invitations to Tender (ITTs)) on time.
• Excellent communication skills – written, verbal, presentational and facilitation – and experience liaising and presenting complex information with external and internal contacts at a range of levels.
• Good commercial awareness / understanding.
• Ability to undertake tasks within demanding timescales.
• Analytical skills - being able to present a reasoned argument supported by evidence.
• Commitment to quality and attention to detail.

The Individual

• A proven track record of successfully delivering both strategic and regional bids from early inception and client information capture, through EOI, PQQ and ITT stage, onto client interviews, feedback and lessons learnt.
• Demonstrable experience in leading bid teams from setting a strategy through to delivery of outcomes.
• A result orientated, inspiring, hard-working and flexible manager who works well as part of every bid team.
• Strong influencing skills to ensure that the expert knowledge they hold is maximised on each opportunity they work on.
• A mobile and flexible individual available to manage and deliver to time schedules driven by clients and travel across the UK as the ‘Win Work’ situation demands.
• A competent and confident bid writer able to create and edit bid narrative.
• This extends to reviewing others' bid responses and identifying where answers fall short and then working with and supporting the original author to improve before each formal review stage.
• Oversee the overall progress of bids and initiate corrective action when required, so that the bid is submitted on time and is the best that it can possibly be.
• Work collaboratively with internal colleagues and with bid personnel in other companies when we work in partnership or joint ventures on bidding opportunities.
• Ability to maximise the use of tools such as Office365, Copilot, InDesign, MS Project, MS Dynamics CRM and industry recognised sales techniques such as Miller Heiman and Huthwaites.
• Degree level and equivalent professional qualifications preferred. APMP Foundation level is desirable.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life. Be rewarded.

About AtkinsRéalis

We’re AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world’s infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We’re committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Additional information

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and abilities.