Proposal Manager

Purpose

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 Proposal 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. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Lead and manage strategic opportunities through the full WSP Work Winning Lifecycle, supporting capture and qualification activity and taking ownership of the proposals process through 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. 
• Support Opportunity Directors / Managers and wider bid teams in the development of 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. 
• Support the ongoing quality and maintenance of pipeline data in Horizon, working with relevant teams to ensure opportunity information is accurate, complete and up to date.
• Coordinate dashboard analysis and data extracts to support the UK monthly reporting cycle, including reviewing and reporting key work winning metrics.
• 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. 
• Support the ongoing maintenance and development of the Bid Knowledge Library, ensuring relevant and reusable content is captured, kept up to date and readily accessible to bid teams. 
• Work with individuals and teams to develop and maintain high-quality CVs and case studies, ensuring these accurately reflect relevant experience, capabilities and project outcomes and can be effectively reused in future pursuits.
• Support the analysis of bid outcomes to identify where and why we are winning or losing and apply these insights to improve future bids.

Required qualifications & experience

• Education
  • A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required (e.g. engineering, business, marketing, or communications). 
  • APMP Foundation certification preferred.
• Experience: 
  • 10+ years of relevant experience in bids/proposals, business development, or work-winning roles within engineering consultancy or related professional services. Experience working in an offshore delivery environment, collaborating with onshore teams across geographies and time zones. Expert knowledge of proposal lifecycle management, competent in pricing / commercial aspects of work winning with a demonstrable record of success in winning bids.
  • Proven experience writing, reviewing, editing and shaping high-quality, clear, compelling and compliant proposal responses under time pressure.
  • Proficient working knowledge in Microsoft Office, Adobe Suite, InDesign (desired) and graphics skills, with experience using AI tools to support proposal development.
• Industry Knowledge:
  • Deep familiarity with the engineering and environmental consultancy sector (or similar industries such as construction, infrastructure, or professional services). Understanding of how large consultancies pursue and win work (e.g. multi-million-dollar bids, long-cycle proposal processes, public and private sector clients) is essential. Experience of, or familiarity with, Advisory and/or Management Consultancy services would be advantageous.
• Communication
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Ability to collaborate effectively, build relationships with external clients and internal colleagues, lead and motivate others, delegate confidently when required, and present complex ideas clearly and simply
• Continuous improvement: 
  • An interest in using new and evolving digital bidding tools and techniques to improve efficiency, quality and client impact.
• Integrity and Compliance
  • Uncompromising commitment to ethical conduct, confidentiality (especially with sensitive client bid data), and following all corporate compliance processes during pursuits.

BGV:

• Employment with WSP India is subject to the successful completion of a background verification (“BGV”) check conducted by a third-party agency appointed by WSP India.

• Candidates are advised to ensure that all information provided during the recruitment process — including documents uploaded — is accurate and complete, both to WSP India and its BGV partner”.

WSP is one of the world's leading professional services consulting firms. We are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower. We are technical experts and strategic advisors including engineers, technicians, scientists, architects, planners, surveyors and environmental specialists, as well as other design, program and construction management professionals. We design lasting solutions in the Transportation & Infrastructure, Property & Buildings, Earth & Environment, Power & Energy, Resources and Industry sectors, as well as offering strategic advisory services. Our talented people around the globe engineer projects that will help societies grow for lifetimes to come.

With approximately 4,000 talented people across 3 locations (Noida, Bengaluru & Mumbai offices) in India and more than 73,000 globally, in 550 offices across 40 countries, we engineer projects that will help societies grow for lifetimes to come.

At “WSP” we draw on the diverse skills and capabilities of our employees globally to compete for the most exciting and complex projects across the world and bring the same level of expertise to our local communities. We are proud to be an international collective of innovative thinkers who work on the most complex problems. Unified under one strong brand, we use our local expertise, international reach and global scale to prepare our cities and environments for the future, connect communities and help societies thrive in built and natural ecosystems. True to our guiding principles, our business is built on four cornerstones: Our People, Our Clients, Our Operational Excellence and Our Expertise.

www.wsp.com

We are

• Passionate people doing purposeful and sustainable work that helps shape our communities and the future.
• A collaborative team that thrives on challenges and unconventional thinking.
• A network of experts channeling our curiosity into creating solutions for complex issues.

Inspired by diversity, driven by inclusion, we work with passion and purpose.

Working with Us

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.

Our Hybrid Working Module

With us, you can operate in a flexible, agile, yet structured work environment and follow a Hybrid Work Model.

• Maximize collaboration.
• Maintain product quality and cultural integrity.
• Balance community, collaboration, opportunity, productivity, and efficiency.

Health, Safety and Wellbeing

Our people are our greatest asset, and we prioritize a safe work environment. Health, safety, and wellbeing are integral to our culture, with each of us accountable for fostering a safe workplace through our “Making Health and Safety Personal” initiative. Our Zero Harm Vision drives us to reduce risks through innovative solutions, earning recognition for our global health and safety practices with the prestigious RoSPA Health and Safety Awards for six consecutive years.

Inclusivity and Diversity

WSP India is dedicated to fostering a sustainable and inclusive work environment where our greatest strength - Our People -feel valued, respected, and supported. We ensure an unbiased approach in hiring, promotion, and performance evaluation, regardless of age, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, physical ability, education, social status, or cultural background.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Join our close-knit community of over 73,300 talented global professionals dedicated to making a positive impact. Together, we can make a difference in communities both near and far.

With us, you can.
Apply today.

NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:

WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.