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- Tasks: Lead and manage high-quality bid submissions, collaborating with project teams to create winning proposals.
- Company: Join Willmott Dixon, a top-rated construction company with a focus on innovation and sustainability.
- Benefits: Flexible working, career development opportunities, and a supportive, diverse workplace culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping compelling bids that transform communities and enhance the environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in bid management or similar roles, strong writing skills, and a passion for innovation.
- Other info: Be part of an award-winning team recognised for excellence and commitment to sustainability.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Willmott Dixon Construction 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 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 in the construction industry.
- 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
Contact Detail:
Willmott Dixon 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 interviews 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 apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Willmott Dixon.
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 to reflect the specific requirements of the Proposals Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing bids and submissions, and don’t forget to mention any relevant projects you've worked on that align with our values.
Showcase Your Writing Skills: Since this role heavily involves writing and editing, include samples of your previous work if possible. We want to see how you can convey complex ideas clearly and persuasively, so make sure your application is well-structured and free of errors.
Demonstrate Your Team Spirit: We love collaboration! In your application, share examples of how you've worked with teams in the past, especially in a bid context. Highlight your ability to lead workshops or sessions that have resulted in successful bids.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Willmott Dixon!
How to prepare for a job interview at Willmott Dixon
✨Know Your Bid Strategy
Before the interview, make sure you understand the bid strategy of Willmott Dixon. Familiarise yourself with their recent projects and how they align with their win plans. This will help you demonstrate your ability to contribute effectively to their proposals.
✨Showcase Your Writing Skills
Since the role heavily involves writing and editing bids, prepare samples of your previous work that highlight your ability to create clear and compelling content. Be ready to discuss your writing process and how you ensure quality in submissions.
✨Prepare for Team Dynamics
As a Proposals Manager, you'll be leading teams and collaborating with various stakeholders. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed team dynamics or facilitated workshops. This will show your capability in guiding less experienced staff and fostering collaboration.
✨Visual Presentation Matters
Given the emphasis on visual elements in bids, brush up on your knowledge of design tools like Adobe InDesign. If you have experience creating visual presentations, be prepared to discuss how you can enhance the look and feel of submissions to make them more engaging.
