Manager, Proposal Management in Thatcham

Are you a proposal leader who thrives in a fast‑paced, client‑driven environment‑someone who enjoys developing and supporting a high‑performing team, while remaining closely connected to complex, strategic opportunities? We are hiring a Manager, Proposal Management to join Fortrea’s Enterprise Client Solutions team, leading Proposal Managers within the Global Clinical Development pre‑award/commercial space. This role supports our biopharma and biotech customers across all therapeutic areas and blends strong line‑management responsibility with active involvement in proposal delivery and strategy.

In this role, you will lead and develop a team of Proposal Managers, providing coaching, feedback, and career development while managing workload, capacity, and prioritisation to support consistent, high‑quality delivery. Alongside your people leadership responsibilities, you will remain engaged in the proposal and budget process‑offering strategic direction, problem‑solving support, and hands‑on leadership for complex or high‑priority RFIs and RFPs. Success in this role requires someone who can balance people leadership and delivery demands‑partnering closely with internal stakeholders and clients, navigating evolving timelines and requirements, and creating an environment where teams feel supported, focused, and set up for success.

The successful candidate will be a confident proposal leader with strong stakeholder management skills, a passion for quality and continuous improvement, and a collaborative, people‑first leadership style. You will also contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across proposal processes, tools, and templates (including AI‑enabled solutions), and support onboarding, training, and capability building across the proposal management team.

Summary of Responsibilities:

• Is accountable and provides leadership for all aspects of the appropriate proposal/budget process (text, quote, budget, and/or response to Requests for Information [RFIs]).
• May lead strategic and/or highly complex opportunities and/or initiatives.
• Is accountable for assigned team workload management, monitoring team capacity, and assisting in priority setting.
• Triages and assigns new enquiries as needed.
• Performs line management of assigned team members under the supervision of a Sr. Manager or above.
• Executes supervisory duties for assigned staff including work scheduling, performance evaluation activities, career development and preparation of training plans, where applicable with support of a manager or above.
• Identifies and resolves issues around client enquiry requirements and Fortrea capabilities.
• Organizes and leads (and/or coaches others on) of strategic and operational calls related to the opportunity/account.
• May work across the organization in matrix environment across multiple time‑zones and locations to lead the process and complete deliverables.
• Liaises with third party vendors/vendor managers for provision of quotations and/or information where required.
• Is accountable for and provides guidance on the preparation of high quality and accurate documents in accordance with agreed strategy and Sponsor expectations under the pressure of changing timelines.
• May (based on business unit and/or team expectation) lead and/or provide guidance for internal and external opportunity management negotiations (i.e., pricing, process, timelines, resources, etc.).
• May (based on business unit and/or team expectation) prepare opportunity summaries for approval/sign off, either via discussion, email, or teleconference, as applicable in the appropriate process.
• Is accountable for timely delivery of assigned opportunities across direct supervision.
• Performs timely and accurate data entry into departmental and/or corporate databases/systems as appropriate.
• May (based on business unit and/or team expectation) support client‑facing and senior management‑facing activities surrounding assigned opportunities as needed, including supporting preparation, attendance, or leading applicable preparation and meetings.
• Maintains appropriate knowledge of current and future technical and regulatory environments.
• Identifies and is accountable for driving ways to improve the efficiency and quality of processes and the resulting deliverables, influencing key stakeholders as applicable.
• May (based on business unit and/or team expectation) contribute to assigned client relationship improvement activities and implementation.
• Provides training and guidance to new and less experienced staff on all aspects of position requirements.
• Performs quality control activities per the appropriate process/requirements.
• May (based on business unit and/or team expectation) assist with hosting sales‑focused inbound client visits.
• May (based on business unit and/or team expectation) be expected to contribute to content library by submitting new content or updates to existing content, using the official content submission process, and to suggest areas for streamlining/improving content and/or structure.
• All other duties as needed or assigned.

Qualifications (Minimum Required):

• Bachelor’s degree required in related field or equivalent work experience. Fortrea may consider relevant and equivalent experience in lieu of educational requirements.

Experience (Minimum Required):

• Experience working in a CRO/pharma with supervisory role or proven people management ability.
• Applicable minimum years of experience in related field, or an equivalent combination of education and CRO/pharma/other related experience to successfully perform the essential job duties.
• Excellent customer service skills, attention to detail and ability to be persistent while maintaining tact.
• Demonstrated computer skills - requires excellent MS Office experience (specifically Excel, Word, Outlook).
• Knowledge of proposal management software applications (e.g., Salesforce.com, Qvidian, Proposal Automation applications) is preferred.
• Demonstrated text editing and writing skills (based on business unit and/or team expectations).
• Demonstrated ability to plan, multi‑task and prioritize.
• Demonstrated teamwork, communication (written and verbal), and organizational skills.
• Proven ability to work independently.
• Ability to work to deadlines.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of employee data and information during interaction with staff at all levels.
• Ability to communicate appropriately and effectively with internal stakeholders, clients, and Fortrea senior management.
• Positive attitude and sense of urgency.
• Possesses an ability to work across Business Units; learns about Business Units currently unfamiliar to them.
• Demonstrate management ability (to include, but not limited to, coaching and development, workload management, time management, excellent written and verbal communication, and positive change management).
• Ability to work irregular and/or extended hours as needed to meet the client deadlines.

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

• Flexibility to participate in meetings across various time zones outside core working hours.
• Occasionally working extended hours in order to meet client timelines.
• Travel Required.

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