Proposals Manager

The Proposals Manager is a subject matter expert (SME)-level role responsible for leading RFPs (Request for Proposals). This role serves as a critical partner to Sales, Finance, Legal, and both Operational & Executive leadership, providing strategic oversight, driving cross-functional alignment, and enabling commercial scalability. The Proposals Manager will lead the end-to-end development of core RFP deliverables, oversee high-impact client engagements, and guide transformational initiatives that elevate the function's performance and visibility across the organization

The primary role is to support the Avance Clinical Business Development department with the business growth objectives of the organisation, including preparation of study budgets, development of compelling and client-centric proposals, third party vendor requests and request for information (RFI) responses, bringing all components together in a high quality, client ready formal. The role ensures seamless integration across the business development lifecycle — from lead generation to proposal submission, contract execution, and project handover.

Core Responsibilities

• Proposal Development: Serve as the central point of contact for Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Requests for Information (RFIs), ensuring alignment with client expectations and operational input. Coordinate and lead internal strategy review meetings for opportunities, ensuring clarity on roles, win strategy, timelines, and strategic positioning. Lead the preparation, direct overall process strategy inclusive of leading initial RFP kick-off strategy call with bid team, and development of complex RFPs/RFIs), ensuring alignment with client requirements and internal Avance value proposition capabilities.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with internal stakeholders, including project managers, clinical operations, feasibility, regulatory affairs, and finance teams, to gather necessary information and ensure accurate and competitive proposals, resource assumptions and timelines.
• Budgeting and Costing: Act as a strategic advisor on bid positioning, pricing logic, and commercial risk during the RFP stage.
• Deliverable Finalization: Write and edit proposal content to clearly articulate Avance Clinical's value proposition, differentiators, and alignment with client needs. Provide oversight and guidance on budget assumptions, pricing strategy, and bid risk assessment, collaborating closely with finance and operational leads. Ensure timely delivery of proposals in line with client deadlines, maintaining version control and adherence to brand and content standards. Drive and finalize strategic RFP/RFI text in both Word & PPT format as required along with overall finalization of both Avance format budget grids and detailed sponsor format client grids when required.
• Client Engagement: Participate in client meetings and presentations to understand project needs, address queries, and build strong relationships.
• Quality Assurance: Ensure all proposals are compliant with regulatory requirements, company standards, and client specifications.
• Continuous Improvement: Contribute to the development and enhancement of proposal templates, processes, and best practices to improve team and individual efficiency and effectiveness. Track and report proposal metrics including turnaround times, win/loss data, average deal size, and root cause analysis for lost opportunities to inform continuous improvement.
• Identify and coordinate third party vendor proposals, relevant to the respective RFP.
• Change Orders: For ongoing projects support development of change order budgets
• Adhere to Avance Clinical's relevant policies and SOPs.

Departmental Responsibilities

• Lead or support initiatives to enhance proposal workflows, tools, and systems, driving efficiency and scalability across the proposal function. Actively provide industry intelligence from vendors, clients, competitors to contribute to the organization's competitiveness and positioning.
• Assist with the development of departmental SOPs as required.
• Collaborate with Business Development and Marketing to refine positioning statements, value propositions, and proposal messaging aligned to client profiles and market trends.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in proposal development within the CRO industry.
• Proven ability working within a business development team within a CRO or associated clinical trials industry environment including experience in client meetings, cost and proposal development, project award and contract management;
• Excellent written communications skills including the ability to write SOPs and reports;
• Excellent organisational and time management skills with the ability to set priorities, analyse problems, formulate clear and effective solutions and coordinate tasks;
• Ability to work on multiple tasks under pressure in a fast-paced and multi-disciplinary team environment;
• Ability to take initiative in problem solving and in exercising judgment;
• Ability to work harmoniously and cooperatively with other people and to work independently without supervision;
• Possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• Strong understanding of clinical trial operations, cost drivers, and service models for early- and late-phase clinical trials.
• Experience supporting global proposals and working with cross-regional teams is highly desirable.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a high level of attention to detail.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel, Word, PowerPoint); experience with Salesforce or proposal automation tools is a plus.
• Collaborative and solutions-oriented mindset with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders across functions and seniority levels.

Key Competencies

• Strategic Thinking and Client Focus
• Project Management and Organisational Skills
• Communication and Storytelling
• Quality Orientation and Attention to Detail
• Commercial Acumen
• Collaboration and Cross-Functional Engagement

Please apply by sending a copy or your CV or contact Candice