Senior Proposals Manager; Water

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.

In this role you will drive the growth and success of the Water business unit by orchestrating the creation and delivery of high‑impact bid submissions. You will manage and motivate 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 win strategies, tender planning and clear communication, you will ensure every submission is compelling, competitive and aligned with client objectives and business goals.

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 embeds best practices into the work‑winning process and continually enhances performance through coaching, mentoring and development of team members. Your leadership ensures each bid stands out in a competitive marketplace while contributing to the ongoing development and reputation of the Water business unit.

• Lead and manage complex and high‑value strategic bids as Bid Manager or in senior support roles, depending on bid size and complexity.
• Ensure that 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, support, management and leadership of strategic bids.
• Provide challenge to operational, technical, commercial and financial proposals to facilitate the development of solutions that deliver greatest benefit and meet customer requirements.
• Work with the bid authors/solution architects to convert knowledge into winning solutions and proposals.
• Support lessons learned from bids. Analyse each bid, including customer feedback, to identify and share good practice 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 useful to WSP in the future.

• Significant relevant bid management experience.
• Good experience producing tenders in the markets that WSP operates in.
• A senior proposals manager with a demonstrable record of success in winning bids.
• A good awareness and understanding of bid governance and review processes, and commercial skills.
• Qualified to degree level in an appropriate subject.
• APMP Foundation as a minimum.
• Thorough understanding of procurement process.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Robust project management skills with a meticulous approach to detail and quality.
• Strong time‑management skills and ability to prioritise.
• Pro‑active, initiative‑driven and responsible for own actions.
• Ability to assimilate large volumes of information 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.
• Strong written and oral English, presenting complex ideas simply.
• Exhibit behaviours and attitudes in accordance with WSP core values to create a team culture and promote excellent communication.
• IT literate.
• Support and promote a…