At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage high-quality bids for major water sector opportunities.
- Company: Join AFECO, a dynamic engineering services provider focused on sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, life insurance, pension, and 25 days holiday.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the water industry with innovative solutions.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in bid management and a degree in engineering or related field.
The predicted salary is between 59850 - 73150 £ 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 located in Warrington, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and professional growth. With a strong commitment to employee development, we provide extensive training opportunities and a supportive culture that values teamwork and safety. Our competitive benefits package, including a company van or car allowance, life insurance, and a generous holiday allowance, ensures that our employees are well taken care of while contributing to meaningful projects in the water industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Proposal Manager in Havant
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Proposal Manager role you’re after at United Living Group.
✨Show Off Your Projects!
Don’t be shy about showcasing your engineering projects. Whether it’s a funky app, a mechanical design, or a complex algorithm, having a solid portfolio on platforms like GitHub can really make you stand out. Plus, it gives potential employers at United Living Group a taste of what you can bring to the table!
✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at United Living Group.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Proposal Manager at United Living Group, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Proposal Manager in Havant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Proposal Manager, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at United Living Group a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to United Living Group specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at United Living Group
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with United Living Group, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like United Living Group want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
