Proposals Manager

Proposals Manager

Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
WSP USA

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead strategic proposals and influence outcomes in a dynamic consultancy environment.
  • Company: Join WSP, a global leader in engineering and professional services.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, health support, and opportunities for personal development.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values innovation and inclusivity.
  • Why this job: Shape your career while making a positive impact on communities worldwide.
  • Qualifications: Strong communication skills and project management experience preferred.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

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.

As a market‑leading multidisciplinary consultancy with a clear vision and ambitious growth plans, our Proposals Managers sit at the heart of our success. They play a critical role in securing the opportunities that drive our business forward and position WSP for long‑term success in a highly competitive market.

A little more about your role… This is a role for strategic thinkers who want to influence outcomes, work at the heart of our business and play a defining role in how we grow. As a Proposals Manager, you’ll lead strategic pursuits across the full Work Winning Lifecycle – from early positioning and strategy through to submission and handover. Working collaboratively with senior leaders, technical experts and proposal professionals, you’ll build high‑performing bid teams, shape compelling win strategies, deliver high‑quality, profitable proposals and ensure a seamless transition into delivery.

What you’ll get: This role offers genuine autonomy and accountability. We trust our people to lead with confidence, think differently and challenge the status quo, supported by clear frameworks, structured training and a strong professional community. Alongside leading bids, you’ll help strengthen our work winning capability by sharing best practice, driving continuous improvement and embedding innovation across the lifecycle. This is a place where people don’t just do a job, they build long‑term careers. With continued investment in our people and our workwinning capability, this role offers real opportunity to grow, influence strategy and help shape the future of WSP.

You’ll join one of the UK’s largest and most respected Strategic Bid Functions during a period of sustained growth and strong performance. WSP delivers major, high‑impact projects across a diverse range of sectors, offering unparalleled exposure to complex, meaningful work.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Lead and manage strategic opportunities through the full WSP Work Winning Lifecycle, taking ownership from capture and qualification, through to bid preparation, submission, lessons learnt and handover.
  • Take responsibility for understanding client requirements, commercial and contractual terms, and proposed delivery models to ensure solutions align to client needs and are clearly articulated.
  • Develop and own win strategies, value propositions and key messages, ensuring our differentiators are clearly evidenced and aligned to client priorities.
  • Write, review and shape high-quality, compliant and compelling proposal content, working hands‑on with Subject Matter Experts to integrate technical content into coherent responses.
  • Ensure all submissions fully comply with client requirements, WSP governance and quality standards, coordinating reviews and facilitating approvals through to final submission.
  • Influence and communicate effectively at senior level, working closely with bid sponsors, technical leads, commercial teams and external partners to shape offers and secure buy‑in.
  • Support and coach project teams in preparing for client interviews and presentations, translating written strategies into confident, persuasive verbal responses.
  • Act as a focal point for proposals best practice, knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.
  • Mentor and support junior team members, helping to build capability and strengthen our proposals community.
What we will be looking for you to demonstrate:
  • Experience working on complex proposals, with a strong understanding of services and delivery models within the Project and Cost Management discipline preferred (not essential).
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to develop, edit and shape clear, compelling and compliant proposal responses.
  • Strong command of the English language, with proven experience writing and reviewing high‑quality bid content under time pressure.
  • Robust project management capability, with the ability to plan, prioritise and manage multiple workstreams while maintaining high quality standards and attention to detail.
  • Confidence building relationships and influencing a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including senior leaders, technical experts and partners.
  • A proactive, self‑motivated approach, with the confidence to take ownership, exercise sound judgement and see tasks through to completion.
  • A strong focus on quality, continuous improvement and delivery, with a genuine interest in strengthening our work winning capability.
  • An interest in using new and evolving digital bidding tools and techniques to improve efficiency, quality and client impact.

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 72,800 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 9,000 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.

Proposals Manager employer: WSP USA

At WSP, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions innovation, inclusivity, and professional growth. Our Proposals Managers play a pivotal role in shaping our future, supported by a culture that values diverse perspectives and offers genuine autonomy in a collaborative environment. With flexible working arrangements, a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, and continuous investment in development, WSP provides a unique opportunity to build a rewarding career while making a meaningful impact on communities worldwide.

WSP USA

Contact Details:

WSP USA Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Proposals Manager

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those at WSP. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to proposals management. Think about how you can showcase your strategic thinking and project management skills.

Tip Number 3

Show off your personality! WSP values diverse perspectives, so don’t be afraid to let your unique traits shine through during interviews. Be confident and authentic!

Tip Number 4

Apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team.

We think you need these skills to ace Proposals Manager

Strategic Thinking
Bid Management
Proposal Writing
Client Relationship Management
Project Management
Communication Skills
Attention to Detail

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application for the Proposals Manager role. Highlight your experience with complex proposals and how it aligns with WSP's vision. We want to see how you can contribute to our success!

Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since this role requires excellent written communication, ensure your application is clear and compelling. Use strong language to demonstrate your ability to develop high-quality proposal content that meets client needs.

Highlight Your Strategic Thinking:WSP values strategic thinkers, so don’t shy away from showcasing your ability to influence outcomes. Share examples of how you've led successful bids or shaped win strategies in your previous roles.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!

How to prepare for a job interview at WSP USA

Know Your Stuff

Before the interview, dive deep into WSP's projects and values. Understand their Work Winning Lifecycle and how your role as a Proposals Manager fits into it. This will help you speak confidently about how you can contribute to their success.

Showcase Your Strategic Thinking

Prepare examples of past experiences where you've led strategic pursuits or developed win strategies. Be ready to discuss how you can influence outcomes and work collaboratively with senior leaders and technical experts at WSP.

Communicate Clearly and Confidently

Practice articulating your thoughts clearly, especially when discussing complex proposals. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, ensuring you highlight your excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Emphasise Continuous Improvement

WSP values innovation and continuous improvement. Be prepared to discuss how you've driven best practices in previous roles and how you plan to contribute to strengthening WSP's work winning capability.