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- Tasks: Lead the creation of winning proposals for major infrastructure projects.
- Company: Join VolkerStevin, a leader in innovative civil engineering solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, annual leave, private medical care, and more.
- Why this job: Shape impactful proposals and drive strategy in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in writing successful bids and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values fairness and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ 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.
VolkerStevin are hiring and looking to expand our proposals team! We’re looking for a talented 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 Proposals Writer, someone who doesn’t just polish words, but shapes winning responses from the ground up. You’ll take 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 brief
We’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.
- Support less experienced team members where appropriate.
About you
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 policies including enhanced maternity benefits
- Employee Assistance programme
- Mental health, physical health, and financial support
- 24/7 Virtual GP service
Fairness, 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.
Proposals Writer in Preston employer: VolkerWessels Uk
Contact Detail:
VolkerWessels Uk Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Proposals Writer in Preston
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research VolkerStevin's recent projects and their approach to engineering solutions. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in what they do.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your pitch! Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the role of a Proposals Writer. Think about specific examples where you've shaped winning responses or collaborated with teams to deliver successful bids.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider insights and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨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 the team at VolkerStevin.
We think you need these skills to ace Proposals Writer in Preston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Strategic Thinking: When writing your application, make sure to highlight your ability to think strategically. We want to see how you can shape solutions and drive strategy, not just polish up existing content.
Tailor Your Responses: Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your responses to our specific needs. Show us that you understand the client drivers and how your skills align with what we’re looking for.
Demonstrate Collaboration Skills: We love team players! In your application, mention any experiences where you’ve collaborated with others to create compelling proposals. This shows us you can work closely with subject matter experts to co-create winning content.
Keep It Clear and Compelling: Your writing should be clear and impactful. Avoid jargon and focus on making complex ideas easy to understand. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can write with purpose and clarity, so let your personality shine through!
How to prepare for a job interview at VolkerWessels Uk
✨Understand the Client's Needs
Before your interview, dive deep into the job description and understand what VolkerStevin is looking for in a Proposals Writer. Familiarise yourself with their projects and client drivers. This will help you articulate how your skills align with their needs during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to think strategically and shape winning proposals. Be ready to discuss how you've previously taken ownership of complex tender responses and how you can apply that experience to VolkerStevin's projects.
✨Collaborate and Communicate
Highlight your collaborative skills by discussing past experiences where you worked closely with technical teams or subject matter experts. Emphasise your ability to ask the right questions and lead discussions to develop compelling content.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Think about how you would approach interpreting client requirements and developing solutions. Practising these scenarios can help you respond confidently and effectively during the interview.
