At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead proposals in defence, security, and nuclear sectors, shaping strategies and delivering high-quality submissions.
- Company: Join WSP, a market-leading consultancy with ambitious growth plans and a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy autonomy, structured training, and opportunities for career growth and influence.
- Other info: Mentorship opportunities and a focus on continuous improvement and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on landmark projects while building a long-term career.
- Qualifications: Experience in proposals within defence, security, or nuclear sectors; strong communication and project management skills.
What if you could shape a career as unique as you? At WSP, you can always find opportunities to grow and do what matters to you. Make the most of our global reach to discover new challenges and chances to work with diverse, talented individuals who will help you expand your horizons.
As a Proposals Manager specializing in defence, security and nuclear, you’ll lead pursuits across the full Work Winning Lifecycle – from early positioning and strategy through to submission and handover. Collaborating 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.
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.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and manage 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.
- Act as a focal point for proposals best practice, knowledge sharing and continuous improvement in the defence, security and nuclear sectors.
- 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 proposals within the defence, security and/or nuclear sector including handling and producing protectively marked information.
- 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.
- 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. Work on landmark projects around the world and embrace opportunities to make an even bigger impact in the communities you care about.
Proposals Manager - Defence, Security, Nuclear sector specialist in Manchester employer: WSP
WSP is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, providing employees with the opportunity to lead impactful projects in urban drainage and wastewater modelling. With a strong focus on professional development, our team members benefit from extensive training and growth opportunities, all while working in a hybrid environment that promotes work-life balance. Located across the UK, we offer a dynamic workplace where your contributions directly influence local and national infrastructure solutions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Proposals Manager - Defence, Security, Nuclear sector specialist in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Proposals Manager - Defence, Security, Nuclear sector specialist at WSP!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like WSP or be willing to refer you for that Proposals Manager - Defence, Security, Nuclear sector specialist position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from WSP who’s on the lookout for their next Proposals Manager - Defence, Security, Nuclear sector specialist star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Proposals Manager - Defence, Security, Nuclear sector specialist role at WSP!
We think you need these skills to ace Proposals Manager - Defence, Security, Nuclear sector specialist in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at WSP. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at WSP
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at WSP. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!