At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the creation of winning proposals for major infrastructure projects.
- Company: Join VolkerStevin, a top civil engineering firm delivering innovative solutions across various sectors.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, private medical care, and flexible annual leave options.
- Why this job: Shape impactful proposals that contribute to significant UK infrastructure developments.
- Qualifications: Experience in writing successful bids and strong communication skills are essential.
- Other info: We value diversity and inclusion, ensuring everyone can thrive.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Part of the VolkerWessels UK Group, VolkerStevin is an industry-leading civil engineering business, providing complex and innovative engineering solutions across a wide range of sectors including maritime, flood risk management, defence, energy, water and regeneration. Collaborating with, and drawing on the specialist skills of the group\’s business units we deliver a truly integrated, multidisciplinary service. We\’re looking for a talented Senior Proposals Writer to join our high-performing team. This is a role for someone who can take ownership of complex tender responses – shaping solutions, driving strategy, and writing compelling, client-focused content that helps us win major infrastructure projects across the UK. About you We\’re looking for a strategic, solutions-focused Senior Proposals Writer, someone who doesn\’t just polish words, but shapes winning responses from the ground up. You\’ll take full ownership of tender responses: analysing documents, understanding client drivers, and working closely with subject matter experts to co-create the solution as well as the narrative. You\’ll ask the right questions, challenge assumptions, and bring clarity to complex ideas – turning them into compelling, client-focused proposals that consistently score top marks. This role is for someone who can: Think strategically and see the bigger picture Work independently but knows when to collaborate Influence and lead others through questions and insight – not just coordination Take responsibility for content, structure and solution – not just grammar and tone Consistently produce responses that stand out – not just meet the briefWe\’re not looking for someone who simply edits or rewrites others\’ work – we\’re looking for someone who leads the thinking, shapes the solution, and writes with purpose, clarity and impact. What you\’ll do (Primary Responsibilities): Lead the development of high-scoring, client-focused responses for supplier questionnaires and tenders relating to infrastructure projects and frameworks. Take full ownership of responses from interpreting client requirements and shaping the solution to drafting and final editing. Collaborate with technical, operational, and commercial colleagues to co-create bespoke, strategic content. Write clear, compelling, and compliant responses that demonstrate understanding, add value, and align with client drivers and win themes. Analyse tender documents to identify key requirements, evaluation criteria, and client priorities. Facilitate response planning (e.g. storyboarding workshops) and contribute to bid strategy and win theme development. Edit and improve content for clarity, structure, consistency, and impact, ensuring each response answers the question and scores maximum marks. Support the preparation of post-tender presentations and supporting materials. Produce content to support the business development function, including case studies, capability statements, market sounding questionnaires and presentations. Contribute to continuous improvement of bid content, templates, and knowledge libraries. Mentor and support less experienced team members where appropriate.What We Offer VolkerStevin is part of VolkerWessels UK – a leading multidisciplinary construction group delivering over £1.4bn of infrastructure work annually across the UK. We specialise in complex, high-value projects in flood and coastal protection, marine and port infrastructure, energy, water, defence, and environmental engineering. Our clients include the Environment Agency, National Grid, United Utilities, and the Defence Infrastructure Organisation. As part of our bid team, you\’ll help shape winning proposals for nationally significant projects, from connecting offshore wind farms to the grid, to strengthening flood resilience and upgrading vital infrastructure across the UK. About you Requirements: Demonstrable experience writing successful bids in a main contractor environment. Strong track record of shaping and delivering content for complex, high-value infrastructure tenders. Confident interpreting client requirements and developing solutions in collaboration with technical teams. Excellent written communication with ability to structure, simplify, and strengthen complex ideas. Proactive and accountable approach, with the ability to lead responses and deliver under pressure.If your past experience doesn\’t match perfectly with every requirement of the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for us. Why work with us? VolkerStevin is under the umbrella of VolkerWessels UK which is a multidisciplinary contractor that delivers innovative engineering solutions across the civil engineering and construction sectors including rail, highways, airport, marine, energy, water, and environmental infrastructure. By utilising the specialist skills of each business unit within VolkerWessels UK, VolkerStevin are able to ensure our staff provide unrivalled resources and expertise to our clients. We offer competitive rewards and benefits, recognising the value we place on our employees. We offer a range of benefits, including: Competitive salary Competitive annual leave and an additional day off on your birthday Option to buy additional annual leave Private medical care Pension Life Assurance Cycle to Work scheme Shopping and restaurants vouchers, rewards, and discounts Training and development opportunities-comprehensive skills-based training Family friendly polices including enhanced maternity benefits Employee Assistance programme Mental health, physical health, and financial support 24/7 Virtual GP serviceFairness, inclusion and respect We believe in pushing boundaries in the pursuit of fairness, inclusion and respect. So, our teams can be comfortable that, whatever their background, VolkerWessels UK is a place where they can be themselves and thrive. If you need support with your application, please contact us at Additional information Note for Recruitment Agencies: Our preference is to hire directly, and we will reach out to our Preferred Supplier List (PSL) agencies if this particular role qualifies for release. We kindly request that you refrain from sending speculative CVs. In the event of speculative CV submissions, no fees will be applicable, and we kindly ask that all inquiries to be directed VolkerWessels UK is committed to maintaining healthy, safe and productive working conditions for its entire staff and therefore a drugs & alcohol screening is mandatory for all. #LI-DL1
Senior Proposals Writer employer: VolkerWessels UK Ltd
Contact Detail:
VolkerWessels UK Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Proposals Writer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific sectors VolkerStevin operates in, such as maritime and flood risk management. Understanding these areas will help you tailor your approach and demonstrate your knowledge during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the civil engineering field, especially those who have experience with tender responses. Engaging with industry experts can provide insights into best practices and current trends that could enhance your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous experiences in detail, particularly any successful bids you've led. Be ready to explain your thought process and how you shaped winning proposals, as this aligns with what VolkerStevin is looking for.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your ability to collaborate effectively by providing examples of how you've worked with technical teams in the past. Highlighting your teamwork skills will resonate well with the collaborative nature of the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Proposals Writer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before you start writing, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Senior Proposals Writer position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the specific needs outlined in the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should not just reiterate your CV. Use it to tell a story about your experience in writing successful bids, focusing on your strategic thinking and ability to shape solutions. Make it clear why you are passionate about this role and how you can contribute to VolkerStevin's success.
Showcase Relevant Experience: In your CV, emphasise your demonstrable experience in writing successful bids within a main contractor environment. Highlight specific projects where you shaped and delivered content for complex, high-value infrastructure tenders, and detail your role in those successes.
Use Clear and Concise Language: When writing your application, ensure that your language is clear and concise. Avoid jargon unless necessary, and focus on simplifying complex ideas. This will demonstrate your excellent written communication skills, which are crucial for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at VolkerWessels UK Ltd
✨Understand the Client's Needs
Before the interview, take time to research VolkerStevin and their recent projects. Understand their clients' drivers and priorities, as this will help you tailor your responses to demonstrate how you can meet their specific needs.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Be prepared to discuss examples from your past experience where you shaped winning proposals. Highlight how you approached complex tender responses and the strategies you employed to ensure clarity and impact in your writing.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration Skills
Since the role involves working closely with technical and operational teams, be ready to share instances where you successfully collaborated with others. Emphasise your ability to ask the right questions and lead discussions to co-create compelling content.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle pressure. Prepare scenarios where you had to analyse tender documents or develop solutions under tight deadlines, showcasing your proactive and accountable approach.