Proposals Manager

Proposals Manager

📍 Location: Burham, Kent
🏗 Sector: Water Infrastructure / Utilities
Framework: CMDP – Southern Water Strategic Delivery Partner

Drive the Future of Infrastructure From Concept to Contract.

Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for transforming client conversations into structured, commercially viable proposals? Do you thrive at the intersection of engineering, commercial management, and stakeholder engagement? As a Proposals Manager within the CMDP team, you’ll play a critical role in securing and initiating major water infrastructure projects from early-stage conversations through to delivery handover.

This position offers a unique opportunity to lead proposal development across all phases—from early client engagement and optioneering, to managing complex stage-gate governance processes and coordinating multi-disciplinary input.

Your Key Responsibilities

Early Engagement & Proposal Development

• Convert client discussions into live opportunities by developing high-quality ECI / PSSC / Early Works proposals

• Produce initial budget estimates and draft contract documentation

• Present proposals to the CMDP Senior Leadership Team for approval

• Manage project initiation activities including timesheet and SharePoint setup

Pre-Investment (ID1) & Governance Coordination

• Support the Programme Manager and Southern Water through the ‘Risk & Value’ (R&V) validation stages

• Define project scopes, validate need statements, and develop early-stage cost estimates

• Develop Tranche Execution Plans and coordinate Parent Company and Client Governance submissions

• Ensure close-out of governance actions and readiness for contract execution

Stage-1 (ID1 to ID3) Tranche Delivery

• Coordinate integrated project teams across multiple disciplines to develop feasible, cost-effective solutions

• Lead technical reviews, RFI coordination, and design option analysis

• Chair progress meetings and manage stakeholder engagement (internal, client, supply chain)

• Facilitate procurement strategies, supply chain engagement, and early involvement contracts (PSCs)

Commercial & Contractual Management

• Collaborate with Estimators to produce robust bottom-up estimates and cost plans

• Manage indirect costs (staffing, welfare, commissioning, design) and ensure schedule alignment

• Oversee design-to-cost integration, technical clarification processes, and support the Cost Assurance process

• Develop draft Stage-1 and Stage-2 contract documents and governance presentations

• Present to governance boards and close out required actions for contract awards

Programme & Planning

• Lead collaborative planning with internal and external stakeholders to develop compliant programmes

• Oversee programme evolution from initial feasibility to full tender submission

• Manage Tranche-level reporting and programme risk assessments

Risk, Environmental & External Constraints

• Attend risk workshops, maintain risk registers, and drive mitigation planning

• Manage interfaces with utilities, landowners, planning authorities, and ecological/environmental bodies

• Ensure permits, licenses, surveys, and planning consents are initiated and tracked

Surveys & Site Investigations

• Scope and coordinate a wide range of early-stage site surveys: topographical, GPR, utilities, asbestos, ecological, etc.

• Manage supporting staff in planning, executing, and analysing survey outputs

• Ensure safety, quality, and governance protocols are followed prior to and during site works

Stage-2 Delivery Handover

• Lead structured handover to Delivery Team post-ID3 award

• Ensure clear communication of project context, design intent, risks, and requirements

What You’ll Bring

Essential:

• Significant experience in pre-construction, proposals, or project initiation within large infrastructure or utilities environments

• Demonstrated experience working across multiple stakeholders, disciplines, and contract stages

• Strong understanding of design development, estimating, procurement, and risk management

• Familiarity with complex governance procedures and framework contract environments

• Excellent leadership, organisation, and communication skills

• Comfortable chairing meetings and presenting at senior levels

Desirable:

• Experience within water or regulated utilities sectors

• Knowledge of the Risk & Value (R&V) process, NEC contracts, and Early Contractor Involvement (ECI)

• Working understanding of ecological, planning, and third-party land requirements

• Degree in Civil Engineering, Project Management, or related field