Proposal Manager – Water & Wastewater EPC | Bid Strategy & Execution

We are looking for a Proposal Manager to join one of our leading clients in the water and wastewater treatment sector. This role will take ownership of the end-to-end proposal and tendering function for EPC projects, while also supporting bids across oil & gas and municipal infrastructure. It calls for a strong blend of technical expertise, commercial insight, and cross-functional leadership to drive winning strategies and deliver high-quality, competitive proposals.

The ideal candidate brings strong expertise in technical and commercial bid development, including costing, estimation, risk evaluation, and P&ID/BOQ review, along with proficiency in MS Office and ERP systems. With 15+ years of experience in proposal development and at least 5 years in a leadership role, the candidate demonstrates strategic thinking, competitive analysis, and the ability to deliver high-quality, winning bids, along with effective team leadership and resource planning. Prior experience in the water treatment industry is mandatory. A bachelor’s degree in mechanical, Chemical, or Environmental Engineering is required; a Master’s degree is preferred. Strong proposal governance, excellent communication and presentation skills, and a solid analytical and problem-solving mindset are essential, along with fluency in English.

Key Responsibilities

1. Leadership & Strategy

• Lead and manage the end-to-end proposal and tendering function for EPC projects.
• Define and implement proposal strategies, governance frameworks, and best practices.
• Provide strategic input for bid/no-bid decisions, risk assessment, and executive-level planning.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and standardized tools across proposal operations.

2. Team & Resource Management

• Manage a cross-border team of proposal engineers across UAE and India.
• Allocate resources, set priorities, and oversee multiple concurrent bids.
• Mentor and develop team capabilities through structured performance management and KPIs.
• Establish succession planning and training frameworks for long-term team sustainability.

3. Proposal Development & Governance

• Oversee preparation of high-quality technical and commercial proposals.
• Review and approve process designs, PFDs, P&IDs, BOQs, cost estimates, and execution strategies.
• Ensure compliance with client specifications and internal governance standards.
• Implement standardized templates and documentation systems.
• Conduct structured internal reviews and risk evaluations before submission.

4. Cross-Functional & Stakeholder Collaboration

• Coordinate closely with engineering, procurement, finance, legal, and project teams.
• Align with business development and sales teams to enhance market positioning.
• Participate in client presentations, technical clarifications, and commercial negotiations.
• Develop relationships with clients, consultants, suppliers, and subcontractors.

5. Performance Monitoring & Reporting

• Monitor bid pipeline, win/loss ratios, and proposal KPIs.
• Conduct post-bid analysis and implement improvement measures.
• Present performance reports to executive management.

Desired candidate profile

Experience

• 15+ years of experience in technical proposal development.
• Minimum 5+ years 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 preferred.
• Technical Skills

Core Competencies

Language

• • Strong expertise in:
    • Proposal & Tender Management
    • Technical & Commercial Bid Development
    • Water/Wastewater Process & EPC Proposals
    • Costing, Estimation & Risk Evaluation
    • P&ID / BOQ Review & Validation
  • Proficiency in MS Office and ERP systems.
  • Strategic thinking and competitive analysis
  • Team leadership and resource planning
  • Proposal governance and documentation discipline
  • Strong communication and presentation skills
  • Analytical and logical problem-solving ability
  • Excellent English communication skills (mandatory)