Senior Proposals Manager (Earth and Environment)

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Job Description

In today's world it's important to work for a company that has clear purpose, giving back to communities and supporting what is truly important in the world.

When considering a career move it's vital to work for a business that is aligned to your values and goals, a place where you can belong. See what WSP stands for in 2024 and beyond...

Find out more about our business by clicking on the following link and discover what awaits you at WSP: https://www.wsp.com

As a Senior Proposals Manager (SPM), you will work closely with the Head of Bids to support WSP's work winning activities and identify and develop operational best practice, raising the standards in how we produce and manage bids.

You will develop innovative strategies, (capture, win and sector etc.) and translate these into successful bid management plans, incorporating bid negotiation, presentation, and handover into programme delivery.

In this hands-on role, you will be a senior member of WSP's UK work winning function, regularly interacting with senior colleagues and building relationships with teams across internal business units.

The SPM will encourage bid best practice and champion work winning strategies throughout the proposal lifecycle. Alongside capture and bid management responsibilities, the SPM will also line manage and coach both direct and indirect reports to develop competencies and bring fresh thinking into the team.

Responsibilities

• Applying WSP's work winning process, helping our technical experts and proposals team to provide innovative ideas and high-quality evidence.
• Implementing and leading on governance and stage gate decisions, including investment calls and go-no go bid decisions.
• Leading and developing capture plans and strategies alongside technical capture leads to influence WSP's position on nominated opportunities (capture leads work closely with client account managers, lead regular senior and exec level reviews, and deliver regular progress monitoring reports).
• Working closely with the Bid Director to build and manage bespoke bid teams, including bid writers, coordinators and administrators assigned to the pursuit, alongside technical specialists, and SME's.
• Developing bid strategies - including document analysis, undertaking a wide range of research, facilitating win workshops and building commitment to the strategy within the bid team.
• Creating detailed bid plans and additional materials as required - including guidance templates, writing style guides and CVs - with the support of bid managers, coordinators, writers, and administrators.
• Managing the work winning process and owning the bid/capture plan - owning deliverables and project managing the pursuit from start to finish. The SPM is responsible for tracking all programme deliverables.
• Leading progress meetings including bid kick-off workshops - setting the agenda, agreeing attendees, and leading the discussion.
• Driving outputs and solutions to maintain momentum and meet programme targets.
• Writing the bid - lead and deliver answer planning and storyboarding sessions and interviews to develop benefits driven copy aligned to bid win strategies.
• Managing review deadlines - lead, guide and coordinate quality colour reviews, programming them into your bid plan. Issuing guidance, evolving best practice and driving value through the review process at all stages.
• Liaising with the commercial lead to manage outputs, ensuring reviews incorporate commercial strategy.
• Submitting the bid - ensure all required reviews and sign offs happen in line with WSP governance processes.
• Post bid presentations and negotiation - ensure storyboards and/or scripts align to bid strategy and produce additional supporting materials as required.
• Coaching and rehearsing - work with the team to ensure successful delivery of content. Provide questioning and challenge where required to develop key win themes.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience of "hands on" tendering for publicly procured professional services contracts
• A degree-level qualification in an appropriate subject
• Strong interpersonal skills including line management skills
• A pro-active approach, using initiative and taking responsibility for own actions
• Confidence to delegate to all levels, where required
• Knowledge of various IT packages both in-house and Microsoft based

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About Us

We are WSP - Join us and make your career future ready!

In today's world it's important to work for a company that has clear purpose, giving back to communities and supporting what is truly important in the world.

When considering a career move its vital to work for a business that is aligned to your values and goals, a place where you can belong.

To find out more about our business click on the following link and discover what awaits you at WSP: Who We Are | WSP

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU

Work-life balance?

WSP recognises that work is only one part of your life and making time for other things is important - whether that's for your families, friends, or yourself.

Our hybrid working policy allows the flexibility to work from the comfort of your own home as well as collaborating in our contemporary offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Diversity?

We want our people to achieve rewarding careers, bringing their whole selves to work. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing diversity to create a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP.

Our employee resource groups VIBE (LGBTQ+ employees), CREED (Championing Racial Equality and Ethnic Diversity) and our Gender Balance Group, in tandem with WSP's Neurodiverse Community Group, WSP Connect Group (visible and non-visible disabilities) help us promote the right environment for you to reach your full potential.

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.

Med24 gives you and your family unrestricted telephone access to an NHS doctor where you can call day or night or have a face-to-face video consultation.

Flex your time?

For improved work life balance, WSP offers the "WSP Hour" which enables you to take one hour per day to do as you wish and make up the time earlier or later that day. We also offer part time and flexible working arrangements plus the option to flex your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development?

We appreciate that development and training is important to you and that's why we have a supportive environment that invests in your development, whether that's chartership, training or mentoring.

APPLY NOW AND BE THE FUTURE OF WSP!

#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.

Please note WSP reserves the right to close the vacancy before the advertised closing date.