Senior Proposals Manager (Earth and Environment)

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Job Description

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 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.

A little more about your role...

• 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.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate...

• 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

Don't quite meet all the criteria? Apply, and we can see how your experience aligns to this role and other opportunities within the team.

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.

About Us

We are one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Our 69,300 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 & Diversity

We welcome applicants with diverse 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 diversity to create a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote a culture of inclusivity.

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 offers you and your family unlimited telephone access to an NHS doctor, available 24/7, with options for face-to-face video consultations. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.

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.