At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage high-quality bids for major water sector opportunities.
- Company: AFECO, a dynamic engineering services provider focused on innovative solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, life insurance, pension, and 25 days holiday.
- Other info: Join a forward-thinking team dedicated to sustainability and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the water industry with your expertise and leadership.
- Qualifications: Degree in engineering or business and 5+ years in bid management.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
As part of the United Infrastructure Group, we are a dynamic and innovative specialist engineering services, solutions and products provider focused on servicing our clients’ immediate and future needs. We do this through the development of industry-changing cleantech products as well as through engineering delivery excellence.
We specialise in the design and delivery of process, mechanical, electrical and ICA engineering-based projects, products and solutions. Regardless of the project, they all pursue the same goal: to improve the efficiency and sustainability of our water, wastewater and waste treatment.
We have a team of highly skilled and experienced professionals with extensive consulting and contracting experience, including engineers, scientists and commercial managers. Our knowledge and expertise spans more than 30 years, across industries including: water, wastewater, marine, energy and power sectors. At AFECO, we cover all stages of the innovation and project delivery cycle from concept through to operations.
Our aim is simple – to provide the most effective solutions and products on the market and thus, exceed clients expectations through market-leading technology. From technical through to commercial and management expertise, we have the in-house expertise to execute a range of projects from the most basic to highly complex.
Role Purpose
The Proposal Manager is responsible for leading, managing, and delivering high-quality, compliant, and competitive bids for major opportunities within the water sector. This role focuses on complex, high-value, and strategically important tenders across water and wastewater infrastructure, treatment, networks, and asset management frameworks.
The role requires strong leadership of multidisciplinary bid teams, deep understanding of water sector procurement, and the ability to translate technical, commercial, and operational inputs into compelling, client-focused proposals.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead end-to-end management of significant and strategic bids from opportunity identification through submission and post-bid review
- Develop and own bid plans, programmes, and governance for complex water sector tenders
- Ensure all submissions are fully compliant with client requirements, procurement regulations, and internal approvals
- Manage multiple concurrent bids with varying values, timescales, and complexity
Water Sector Expertise
- Apply detailed knowledge of the water industry, including AMP cycles, regulatory drivers (e.g. Ofwat, EA, DWI), and client priorities
- Understand delivery models such as frameworks, alliances, joint ventures, D&B, DBO, and capital maintenance contracts
- Interpret water company objectives around resilience, sustainability, customer outcomes, carbon reduction, and innovation
Stakeholder & Team Leadership
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary bid teams including engineering, commercial, planning, delivery, sustainability, digital, and supply chain
- Act as the central point of coordination between internal teams, partners, and joint venture organisations
- Influence senior stakeholders to secure resources, approvals, and timely inputs
Proposal Development & Quality
- Develop win strategies, value propositions, and key messages aligned to client scoring criteria
- Oversee and, where required, author high-quality written responses that are clear, persuasive, and evidence-based
- Ensure proposals demonstrate strong understanding of risk, opportunity, and whole-life value
Commercial & Risk Awareness
- Work closely with commercial and estimating teams to ensure proposals align with pricing, risk, and delivery assumptions
- Contribute to bid/no-bid decisions, risk assessments, and commercial strategies
- Ensure proposals clearly articulate commercial robustness, value for money, and risk mitigation
Continuous Improvement
- Capture lessons learned from bid outcomes and feedback from clients
- Develop and maintain bid best practice, templates, and standard responses
Key Skills & Competencies
- Proven experience managing significant or complex bids within the water or wider utilities/infrastructure sector
- Strong understanding of water sector procurement processes and client expectations
- Excellent written communication and proposal development skills
- Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and deadlines under pressure
- Strong planning, organisation, and attention to detail
- Confident facilitator with the ability to challenge and influence senior contributor
- Experience working with UK water companies and AMP frameworks
- Knowledge of NEC, alliancing, or framework-based contracting models
- Familiarity with sustainability, carbon, digital delivery, and innovation themes in water
- APMP (or equivalent) qualification
Qualifications & Experience
- Degree or equivalent experience in engineering, business, commercial management, or a related discipline
- 5+ years’ experience in bid management, proposals, or work-winning roles within water, utilities, or infrastructure
- Experience of leading bids valued at £10m+ (or strategically significant frameworks)
Salary and benefits
- Medicash plan
- Life insurance
- Benefits portal
- Company pension
- 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays)
Join us at AFECO and be part of our mission to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions to the complex infrastructure needs of the UK.
Proposal Manager in Havant employer: United Living Group
AFECO is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and innovative work culture, dedicated to delivering high-quality engineering solutions in the water sector. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer comprehensive benefits including a Medicash plan, life insurance, and a generous holiday allowance, all within a collaborative environment that encourages professional development and sustainability. Join us in Havant and be part of a forward-thinking team committed to making a meaningful impact on the infrastructure needs of the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Proposal Manager in Havant
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the water sector, attend industry events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their values and how they align with your skills. This will help you tailor your responses and show them you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience in bid management and the water sector makes you the perfect fit for the Proposal Manager role. Keep it concise and impactful to grab their attention.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining AFECO and contributing to our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Proposal Manager in Havant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Proposal Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing bids and your understanding of the water sector. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of successful bids you've managed. Use metrics where possible to demonstrate your impact. This helps us see the value you can bring to our team.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon unless it's relevant to the role. Make it easy for us to understand your qualifications and enthusiasm!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at United Living Group
✨Know Your Water Sector Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the water sector, including procurement processes and regulatory drivers like Ofwat. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the industry but also genuinely interested in it.
✨Prepare Compelling Examples
Think of specific examples from your past experience where you've successfully managed complex bids or led multidisciplinary teams. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, making it easier for interviewers to see your impact.
✨Showcase Your Proposal Development Skills
Be ready to discuss how you've developed win strategies and value propositions in previous roles. Highlight any experience you have with writing high-quality proposals that are clear and persuasive, as this is crucial for the Proposal Manager role.
✨Demonstrate Leadership and Collaboration
Since the role involves leading bid teams, be prepared to talk about your leadership style and how you collaborate with various stakeholders. Share examples of how you've influenced senior stakeholders and secured resources for successful bids.
