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- Tasks: Lead and manage high-quality bid submissions, ensuring they align with our win strategy.
- Company: Join Willmott Dixon, a top-rated employer committed to innovation and sustainability.
- Benefits: Flexible working, professional development, and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by crafting compelling bids that shape the future of communities.
- Qualifications: Experience in bid management and strong writing skills are essential.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values creativity and continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Willmott Dixon are looking for a Proposals Manager to join our Wales & West regional team in our Bristol office. The main role of a Proposals Manager at Willmott Dixon is to manage the quality of submissions and actively work with our Project Managers to develop the quality of bids. You will be able to assess technical bid requirements and lead the bid teams to develop a winning solution. You will ensure the formal bid process is followed, providing recommendations for continuous improvement.
Through your writing, reviewing and editing of drafts you will ensure our submissions persuasively convey our offer to the customer by communicating key win themes within our responses, ensuring we score highly against the evaluation criteria. Working with subject matter experts, you will conceptualise and create visual elements to help tell the story, whilst also contributing to the 'look and the feel' of our offering. With a strong awareness of bidding best practice, you will also provide guidance and support to less experienced staff and those from other areas of the business. You'll also support the creation of clear and effective customer presentations and provide creative ideas and initiatives for bids.
Key Responsibilities
- Contribute to and create our bid win plan, then consistently communicate this to the team throughout so that the bid is developed in line with the strategy.
- Understand the entire bid submission and lead our approach to align with the 'win plan.' Revisit the strategy when needed.
- Be accountable for everything that goes into the bid.
- Define and shape the visual presentation of the submission.
- Support the prepositioning phase by proactively developing early solution concepts that address key customers drivers identified during business development engagements.
- Host lessons learnt workshops after the bid is submitted to capture insight, identify areas for improvement and inform future opportunities.
- Make sure all the written content of the bid is clear and compelling by:
- Owning individual answers (planning and scripting).
- Briefing other bid writing contributors.
- Checking the quality of other contributors' work and providing feedback and/or intervening.
- Signing off all the written content before the Director peer review.
Essential and Desirable Criteria
- You will ideally have some experience as a Proposal Manager, Submissions Manager, Bid Manager, Tender Manager, or similar role.
- You will be able to lead the creation of our written responses to achieve high quality, winning bids/submissions that meet the requirements and expectations of our customers.
- You will have good experience of writing and editing tender submissions.
- Knowledge and experience of the Adobe Suite, particularly InDesign is desirable, but full training will be provided if required.
- Experience of leading answer plan sessions, win theme workshops and managing the tender review process.
- Experience of bid writing and bid editing, creating compelling and persuasive responses.
- Experience of hosting lessons learnt workshops after bid submissions to capture insight, identify areas for improvement and inform future opportunities.
- You’ll also have experience supporting the prepositioning phase in previous bids.
- Meticulous organisational skills.
- Experience of using Microsoft Office.
- Use of Adobe InDesign and Photoshop desirable.
- UKAPMP membership and certified desirable.
Additional Information
Are you an innovator, are you curious? We are not afraid to think big and embrace innovative new ideas to make sure we deliver a better, stronger, and more personal offer and exceed our customers' expectations. Willmott Dixon embraces diversity in the workplace and will consider flexible and agile working. We are a disability confident employer.
About Us
With over 170 years of rich history, Willmott Dixon's purpose is beyond profit; delivering brilliant buildings, transforming lives, strengthening communities and enhancing the environment so our world is fit for future generations. Ensuring that we add lasting value to the neighbourhoods we work in; our values, people, innovation, partnerships and focus on sustainability has allowed us to build a successful and solid privately owned business where our people can thrive.
Willmott Dixon was recognised by The Sunday Times as one of the Top 10 "Big" Companies to Work For in 2025, named among the Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality in 2024, and ranked in the Top Five of Europe's 1,000 best workplaces by the Financial Times in 2025. Willmott Dixon is also the first major contractor and developer to win a King's Award for Enterprise in the category of sustainable development.
Proposals Manager (Bid Manager) in Bristol employer: Willmott Dixon Group
Contact Detail:
Willmott Dixon Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Proposals Manager (Bid Manager) in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Willmott Dixon's recent projects and values. This will help you tailor your approach and show that you're genuinely interested in what they do.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to bid management. Think about how you can showcase your experience in leading bid teams and creating compelling submissions.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar!
We think you need these skills to ace Proposals Manager (Bid Manager) in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application for the Proposals Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in bid writing and management, and don’t forget to showcase how you can contribute to our win plan!
Showcase Your Writing Skills: Since this role is all about crafting compelling bids, ensure your written application reflects your ability to communicate clearly and persuasively. Use examples from your past work to demonstrate your skills.
Be Visual: If you have experience with visual elements in bids, mention it! We love creativity, so if you’ve used tools like Adobe InDesign or created engaging presentations, let us know how you can bring that flair to our submissions.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Willmott Dixon Group
✨Know Your Bid Strategy
Before the interview, make sure you understand the key elements of a winning bid strategy. Familiarise yourself with Willmott Dixon's approach to bids and be ready to discuss how you would contribute to their win plan. This shows that you're not just interested in the role, but also in how you can align with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Writing Skills
Since the role heavily involves writing and editing submissions, prepare examples of your previous work. Bring along samples that demonstrate your ability to create clear, compelling content. Be ready to discuss your writing process and how you ensure quality in your submissions.
✨Engage with Visual Elements
Given the emphasis on visual presentation in bids, think about how you can incorporate visual storytelling into your responses. If you have experience with tools like Adobe InDesign or Photoshop, mention it! Even if you don’t, be prepared to discuss how you would conceptualise visuals to enhance the bid narrative.
✨Prepare for Team Dynamics
As a Proposals Manager, you'll be leading teams and collaborating with various stakeholders. Think about your past experiences in team settings and be ready to share how you’ve successfully managed group dynamics, facilitated workshops, or provided guidance to less experienced colleagues. This will highlight your leadership skills and collaborative spirit.
