Proposals Manager

Location: Manchester

Job Type: Bid

Contract: Full Time/Flexible Working

Application deadline: 29 Jan 2026

The Vacancy

Wates are seeking a Proposals Manager with the vision, precision, and creativity to craft submissions that don’t just meet expectations—they set new standards. In this pivotal role, you’ll shape compelling narratives that resonate with clients, influence decisions, and drive business growth.

If you’re passionate about challenging convention, bringing fresh ideas to the table, and elevating the quality of every bid, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact. Join us and help create tomorrow together.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a Proposals Manager, you’ll be at the heart of our success story. You’ll own the end-to-end proposals process, transforming complex requirements into compelling narratives that showcase our strengths and resonate with our customers. Working hand-in-hand with the Bid Manager, you’ll craft strategies that stand out and submissions that shine.

As our Proposals Manager you will:

  • Lead with impact: Drive the proposals process from start to finish, delivering submissions that wow.
  • Shape the story: Edit and enhance content, weaving in win themes and strategic messaging.
  • Collaborate creatively: Work with specialists and designers to elevate every bid.
  • Put the customer first: Ensure every proposal speaks their language and delivers a positive experience.
  • Manage the magic: Oversee designers and agencies to produce high-quality, visually stunning documents.
  • Own the stage: Support interviews and presentations with polished materials and confident rehearsals.
  • Keep improving: Learn from every bid and share best practices across the team.
  • Develop talent: Mentor and inspire those contributing to our proposals.

WHAT WE OFFER

  • Competitive salary & profit share scheme

  • Flexible working

  • Car Allowance / Company Car (subject to Role/Grade)

  • Travel covered to any of our sites (subject to HMRC advisory rates)

  • Extensive corporate benefits including, Private Medical, Pension 8% employers’ contribution, Health and Wellness programme, 26 days holidays + bank holidays and much more…

  • Excellent range of learning and development activity to support your career progression.

  • Industry leading family leave benefits to included 26 weeks fully paid maternity, 12 weeks fully paid paternity.

To find out more about LIFE AT WATES please click on the following link https://www.wates.co.uk/careers/

We are always looking for a variety of new talent to join our teams, to help us grow and innovate as a business. Although you may not have all of the skills listed, many of them may be transferable to other roles within the WATES Group.

If you would like clarity on any of our vacancies, discuss career opportunities in strict confidence or need anything to make our recruitment process easier, please contact our In-House Recruitment Team directly or via recruitment@wates.co.uk and one of us will get in touch as soon as possible.

As a responsible and inclusive employer, we are committed to equality and are proud to have been recognised for this through a range of accolades including gold accreditation with Investors in People, we are also a Disability Confident employer. Being a family owned, business means we understand and value long term relationships.

Given the nature of this position, you will need to undergo a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually, and we assure you that we do not discriminate based on an applicant’s criminal record or the details of any disclosed offenses. Additionally, certain roles may be subject to additional pre-employment checks.

To learn more about the checks included in this process, please click on the following link: National Security Vetting

Work for Wates

Wates is one of the UK’s leading family-owned development, building and property maintenance companies.  Founded over 125 years ago, we have a proud legacy in the built environment.

We are driven by our purpose, ‘reimagining places for people to thrive’ and our three promises:

  • Thriving places – working with customers, partners and communities to create places that are more sustainable, inclusive, and full of opportunity.
  • Thriving planet – protecting nature and taking action on climate change by collaborating and innovating with our partners.
  • Thriving people – creating opportunities and relationships so that everyone who works for and with us feels included, invested in and treated with care.

We are proud to be recognised as Gold Investors in People and as a Disability Confident employer.  We also ensure that our recruitment processes do not treat anyone less favourably due to an offending background.