Job Description
Grimshaw is a global architecture and design practice founded by Sir Nicholas Grimshaw in 1980, with offices in Los Angeles, New York, London, Paris, Dubai, Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland employing over 600 staff. We are driven by a desire to connect people to each other and the world around us, delivering architecture characterised by strong conceptual legibility, innovation and a rigorous approach to detailing, all underpinned by the principles of humane, enduring and sustainable design. Our work has been recognised with over 200 international design awards, including winning the 2024 RIBA Stirling Prize for the Elizabeth Line.
The Role
Join our London studio as we continue to shape the future of architecture and design. We are seeking an experienced Proposals Manager to manager our bid function and support the studio in securing high-quality new work.
About the Role
You will manage the end-to-end delivery of bids, proposals, and competition submissions, leading a talented team to produce compelling, high-quality content. Reporting to the Business Development Lead, this is a strategic role where you will develop win strategies and themes, coach contributors across the business, and champion best practice across the studio.
Working closely with Partners, Principals, sector leaders, and creative teams, you will craft persuasive, brand-aligned responses that articulate our capabilities and approach. Your strong project management skills will be essential as you balance multiple live opportunities and tight deadlines while maintaining consistently high standards.
As guardian of our bid process, you will mentor and develop your team, set standards for excellence, and drive continuous improvement. You will contribute to Go/No-Go decisions, manage relationships with key internal departments including IT, Contracts, Sustainability, Finance and Marketing, and represent the studio at client events when appropriate. The role also includes budget management, oversight of bid systems and content libraries, and collaboration with our global studios to share best practice.
Principal Responsibilities
1. Leading the coordination and delivery of all bids, proposals, and competition submissions for the London studio
2. Managing and developing the London bid team, providing mentorship, coaching, and identifying opportunities for career progression and performance development
3. Developing clear win strategies and themes in partnership with senior leadership for priority bids and competitions
4. Reviewing, editing, and writing bid content to ensure compliance with brand tone, house style, and quality standards, while coaching others to improve their outputs
5. Overseeing the development and maintenance of bid libraries and best-practice responses in collaboration with global studios
6. Managing bid budgets, forecasting, tracking systems, and relationships with external suppliers
7. Championing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion principles across all business development activities
8. Building and maintaining strong working relationships with core departments to ensure aligned and compliant submissions
9. Coordinating input from graphics and communications teams to ensure submissions are visually and editorially compelling
10. Reporting on bid programme status to Partners meetings, providing clear updates on priorities, risks, and resource planning
Required Competencies
To be successful in this role, you will need:
11. Minimum of 6 years' relevant experience in business development, bids, proposals, or competition submissions, with a proven track record of leading complex, high-value bids
12. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to write, edit, and proofread to a high standard while maintaining brand tone and house style
13. Demonstrated experience managing, mentoring, and developing team members, fostering accountability, collaboration, and high performance
14. Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple live bids simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
15. Strategic thinking capability, including developing bid strategies and compelling win themes
16. Meticulous attention to detail and commitment to quality and consistency
We recognise that strong candidates come from diverse backgrounds and experiences. If you meet most of these competencies and are excited about this opportunity, we encourage you to apply even if your experience does not align perfectly with every requirement.
Desirable Skills and Experience
17. Knowledge of the architecture and design industry and experience supporting design teams in securing new work (transferable experience from other professional services sectors is also valued)
18. Experience improving and evolving bid processes, templates, best-practice responses, and the adoption of digital tools
19. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) for layout, editing, and production of publication-ready documents
20. APMP Foundation or Practitioner level qualification
21. Strong foresight and proactive communication skills, with the ability to anticipate risks, prioritise effectively, and propose practical solutions
22. Confident communicator with the diplomacy and influence to guide contributors at all levels
23. Flexible, resilient, and solutions-focused, able to perform effectively under pressure and adapt to changing priorities
Our Commitment to Inclusion
We are committed to building an inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and ways of thinking are valued. We actively encourage applications from underrepresented groups in the architecture and design industry, including women, people of colour, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities.
We offer flexible working arrangements and are open to discussing adjustments to support your success in this role.
What We Offer
24. Collaborative, creative studio environment
25. Professional development and career progression opportunities
26. Supportive, values-driven culture
27. Competitive salary and benefits package
To Apply
Please submit your ATS friendly CV outlining your interest in this role and the experience and perspective you would bring to our team.
We are an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion.