Senior Proposals Manager (Water)

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs? At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

The Senior Proposals Manager plays a pivotal role in driving the growth and success of the Water business unit by orchestrating the creation and delivery of high-impact bid submissions. You will be responsible for managing and motivating multidisciplinary teams, including business leaders, technical experts, and proposal specialists, to produce tailored, persuasive proposals that not only fulfil client requirements but also showcase the strengths and ambitions of the organisation. Through the design and execution of robust win strategies, meticulous tender planning, and clear communication, the Senior Proposals Manager ensures that every submission is compelling, competitive, and aligned with both client objectives and business goals.

A little more about your role… This role demands expertise in establishing and guiding bid teams, fostering productive relationships with partners, and overseeing the entire proposal lifecycle from initial opportunity through to successful handover. The Senior Proposals Manager is instrumental in embedding best practices into the work-winning process, continually enhancing performance through coaching, mentoring, and the development of team members. Their leadership ensures that each bid not only stands out in a competitive marketplace but also contributes to the ongoing development and reputation of the Water business unit.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage complex and high value strategic bids as Bid Manager or other senior support roles as required depending on size and complexity of the bid.
• Ensure that the appropriate bid governance and bid review processes are followed.
• Provide input to the strategic bid capture planning process.
• Work with the Opportunity Director to develop customised solutions that meet the client's specific needs and help them achieve their objectives.
• Assist in prospect qualification throughout.
• Understand internal and external customer requirements and provide resource expertise, providing support, management and leadership of strategic bids.
• Provide challenge to operational, technical, commercial and financial proposals to facilitate the development of solutions that provide greatest benefit for the businesses while delivering customer requirements and needs.
• Work with the bid authors/solution architects to convert knowledge from operational and business development staff into winning solutions and proposals.
• Support lessons learned from bids. Analyse each bid, including customer feedback, to identify and share good practice with operational, bid and business development staff across the business and suggest improvements to process and team dynamics.
• Train and coach colleagues on the bid process and associated skills.
• Collate market and competitor information that will be useful to WSP in the future.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate…

• Significant relevant bid management experience.
• Good experience of producing tenders in the markets that WSP operates in.
• An acknowledged senior proposals manager with a demonstrable record of success in winning bids.
• A good awareness and understanding of bid governance and bid review processes.
• Good bid writing and management skills, and commercial skills.
• Qualified to degree level in an appropriate subject.
• APMP Foundation as a minimum.
• Thorough understanding of procurement process.
• Strong and effective verbal and written communication.
• Robust project management skills with a meticulous approach to detail and quality.
• Strong time management skills and ability to prioritise.
• Adopt a pro-active approach, use initiative and take responsibility for own actions.
• Ability to assimilate large volumes of information and understand, plan and manage associated workflows.
• Develop strong relationships and rapport with partners and internal colleagues.
• Excellent people skills to lead, encourage, motivate and enthuse others.
• A passion for quality and continuous improvement with a focus on delivery.
• Confidence to delegate to all levels, where required.
• A strong use of oral and written English, with the ability to present complex ideas in a straightforward and simple way.
• Exhibit and demonstrate behaviours and attitudes in accordance with WSP core values to create a team culture and promote excellent communications.
• IT Literate.
• Support and promote a culture of continuous improvement.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all. Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world. With us, you can. Apply today.

We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 11,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Work-life balance: At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community. Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.
• Inclusivity & Belonging: We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP.
• Health & Wellbeing: We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme. Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most.
• Flex your time: To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day. We also provide part-time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.
• Your development: We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

#WeAreWSP Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.