Company: BDO South Africa
Industry: Consulting
Deadline: Not specified
Job Type: Full Time
Qualification: Bachelors
Experience: 5 years
Location: Western Cape
City:
Field: Administration / Secretarial
Job Title: Proposals Manager (western Cape)
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide training to the business on proposal templates and best practices.
- Attend sector meetings to identify needs for sector-specific credentials, templates, and value-add materials.
- Create and design credential documents and marketing collateral for sectors and service lines.
- Update and maintain standard proposal wording in line with legal and brand guidelines.
- Manage the full proposals and tender process.
- Log client and proposal activity in internal systems such as Core and the Proposals App.
- Liaise with marketing and design teams to ensure timely and high-quality deliverables.
- Lead kick-off meetings with partners and managers to:
- Gather necessary information.
- Set deadlines and coordinate inputs.
- Ensure submissions are compelling, compliant, and aligned to client needs.
- Conduct research on clients to advise on differentiators, design, and proposal positioning.
- Challenge internal stakeholders to improve proposal content and design for maximum impact.
- Prepare presentation materials for pitches and post-submission follow-ups.
- Ensure tender submissions meet all compliance and client requirements.
- Compile, edit, and review bid documents and related submissions.
- Monitor proposal and tender deadlines to ensure timely delivery.
- Track and follow up on submission outcomes, gather feedback, and share learnings with the business.
- Maintain a central electronic library of all proposals, tenders, and related documents.
- Collaborate with Brand, Marketing, and Communications to create compelling proposal documents.
- Uphold and promote the firm’s values and contribute positively to the internal culture.
- Engage in continuous professional development through learning platforms and courses.
- Manage junior staff on their development within BD.
Requirements
Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge and Skills
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business Management, or a related field.
Experience
- Minimum 5 years of experience in proposal, tender, or bid management, preferably in a professional services environment.
- Proven track record in managing complex proposal processes from initiation to delivery.
- Experience collaborating with senior stakeholders, partners, and creative teams.
- Familiarity with legal, compliance, and procurement documentation processes.
Requirements
- Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
- Strong knowledge of proposal management best practices.
- Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
- Proficiency in MS Office (Word, PowerPoint) and Adobe InDesign.
- Understanding of branding, marketing, and document design principles.
- Strong attention to detail and quality control.
- Effective communication and negotiation skills.
- Ability to challenge content and design constructively to improve outputs.
- Knowledge of CRM systems and proposal tracking tools.
- Willingness to work flexible hours to meet proposal deadlines.
Competencies: Knowledge and Skills
Job Skills and Competencies
- Advanced proposal writing and editing skills.
- Strong project management and organizational abilities.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to translate technical information into client-friendly, value-driven messaging.
- High proficiency in document formatting, design collaboration, and layout aesthetics.
- Strong research and analytical abilities.
- Consistent delivery of high-quality work under tight deadlines.
Behavioural Competencies
- Collaboration: Works well with cross-functional teams, sharing information and supporting colleagues.
- Client-Centric Approach: Understands and prioritizes the needs of clients in all proposal submissions.
- Accountability: Takes ownership of the proposal process from start to finish.
- Innovation: Proactively identifies ways to improve the proposal process and enhance quality.
- Resilience: Performs effectively under pressure.
- Attention to Detail: Maintains a high standard of accuracy and professionalism.
- Adaptability: Responds positively to changing requirements and business needs.
- Integrity: Operates with honesty and transparency, upholding the firm’s values.
- Influence: Confidently challenges content and design for continuous improvement.
- Continuous Learning: Proactively seeks opportunities for growth and development.
