Proposal Manager

Job Code: 348/001/353
Industry: Water Treatment
Job Brief:
The Proposal Manager will lead and manage the proposal and tendering function for EPC projects across Water & Wastewater Treatment, Oil & Gas, and Municipal sectors. This is a strategic leadership role responsible for driving proposal excellence, improving win probability, and ensuring high-quality technical and commercial submissions.
The role requires strong expertise in proposal governance, cross-functional coordination, and team management across multiple locations. The incumbent will play a key role in bid strategy, risk evaluation, and aligning proposals with business objectives while ensuring compliance with client and industry requirements.
Job Responsibilities:
1. Leadership & Strategy

• Lead and manage the proposal and tendering function for EPC projects in Water & Wastewater Treatment, Oil & Gas, and Municipal sectors.
• Define and implement proposal strategies, governance frameworks, and best practices to maximize win probability and operational efficiency.
• Provide strategic input for bid/no-bid decisions, risk evaluation, and executive-level business planning.
• Drive process improvements, knowledge sharing, and adoption of standardized tools across global proposal operations.

2. Team & Resource Management

• Manage a cross-border team of proposal engineers based in the UAE and India, ensuring seamless collaboration and optimal resource utilization.
• Assign workloads, set priorities, and monitor progress across multiple proposals simultaneously.
• Mentor, coach, and develop team members to strengthen both technical and managerial capabilities.
• Conduct performance evaluations, define KPIs, and ensure continuous skill development across regional teams.
• Establish succession planning and training programs to support long-term team sustainability.

3. Proposal Development & Governance

• Oversee the preparation of technical and commercial proposals, ensuring alignment with client specifications, company policies, and compliance requirements.
• Review and approve process designs, PFDs, P&IDs, BOQs, cost estimates, and execution strategies.
• Implement standardized proposal templates, systems, and documentation practices to maintain consistency across teams.
• Ensure all proposals undergo proper internal reviews, approvals, and risk assessments prior to submission.

4. Cross-Functional & Stakeholder Collaboration

• Coordinate with engineering, procurement, design, finance, legal, and project management teams to integrate accurate inputs into proposals.
• Collaborate with business development and sales teams to align proposals with client objectives and market positioning.
• Represent the organization in client-facing presentations, technical clarifications, and commercial negotiations during pre-award stages.
• Build and maintain relationships with key clients, consultants, suppliers, and subcontractors to strengthen market competitiveness.

5. Performance Monitoring & Reporting

• Track bid pipeline, proposal performance, and win/loss ratios, and present detailed reports to senior management.
• Conduct post-bid analysis to capture lessons learned and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Benchmark team performance to ensure consistency, knowledge transfer, and operational efficiency.

Job Requirements:
Experience:

• Minimum 15+ years of experience in technical proposal development.
• At least 5+ years of experience in a managerial or leadership role.
• Mandatory experience in the water treatment industry.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, or Environmental Engineering.
• Master’s degree is preferred.

Technical Skills & Tools:

• Proficiency in MS Office and ERP systems.
• Strong experience in proposal and tender management.
• Expertise in technical and commercial bid development.
• In-depth knowledge of water and wastewater processes and EPC proposals.
• Strong experience in costing, estimation, and risk evaluation.
• Ability to review and validate P&IDs and BOQs.

Core Competencies:

• Strong cross-functional coordination and client management skills.
• Proven ability in team leadership and resource planning.
• Strategic thinking with strong competitive analysis capabilities.
• Strong understanding of proposal governance and documentation practices.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills (mandatory: English).

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