Role Overview

We are seeking a talented Proposals Executive who is passionate about creating first-class pitches and presentations and keen to make his/her mark at a leading law firm. The successful candidate will join a dynamic, fast paced and international team pitching to some of the world's biggest brands. There will be the opportunity to take some ownership of capability statements/ proposals, as well as play a key role in an exciting, high-profile project to introduce proposal automation software to the firm.

The role offers plenty of opportunity to learn and progress within pitching and business development. A passion for writing, excellent proof-reading skills and a meticulous attention to detail is essential along with the interpersonal skills to build relationships and credibility with partners.

Reports to

Jessica Williams, Proposals Manager

Key internal relationships

• Head of Business Development
• Business Development Managers
• BMS Technology Lead
• Subject matter experts and partners

Key responsibilities:

Project management of select proposals:

• Taking overall project management responsibility of select capability statements/ pitches.
• Overseeing qualification, developing project plan, sourcing boilerplate content, writing and editing the document and ensuring that all necessary activities are completed on time.
• Searching and gathering content from bid library, databases and subject matter experts across the firm to ensure the completion of first drafts.
• Liaising with internal Design team/partners as appropriate to ensure professional design of proposals and that necessary amends are made to the document before submission.
  
  

Supporting the Proposals Manager with large, procurement-led panel proposals:

• Supporting the Proposals Manager with large, procurement-led panel pitches undertaking activities such as setting up templates, creating project plans, organising meetings, sourcing boilerplate text and completing standard sections.
• Chasing contributors for content and editing/ rewriting their copy to ensure that it conforms to house style before adding into master document and maintaining version control.
• Assisting the Proposals Manager in managing client web portal communications and uploading content onto client portals.
• Proof reading documents for the Proposals Manager prior to submission.

Proposal automation project:

• Working with the Proposals Manager, the wider Business Development team, and subject matter experts across the organisation to revamp the firm's existing proposals library ready for upload onto the new system.
• Gathering content from a number of sources across the firm (subject matter experts, previous proposals, directory submissions, existing libraries) for upload onto the new system. This will include fee earner biographies, general firm information, frequently asked questions, practice area overviews, case studies and testimonials.
• In collaboration with the Proposals Manager, re-structuring, formatting, editing and proofreading incoming content ensuring that it conforms to house style guide, fits new proposal automation templates and has 'one voice' throughout.
• Sending content to internal stakeholders for sign off and completing subsequent edits/ actions.
• Writing new content, such as partner biographies, to meet the requirements of new proposal automation software templates.
• Uploading content onto the new proposal automation software system and tagging appropriate words and phrases appropriately.

Maintenance of central proposals library:

• Helping the Proposals Manager to write and maintain a central library of content.
• Dissecting submitted pitches and identifying new content to upload into the library.
• Once proposal automation software has been implemented, uploading editorial content onto the new system ensuring that appropriate words and phrases are tagged appropriately.

General proposal duties:

• Logging of all pitch documents that come into the BMS team on internal CRM system InterAction.
• Chasing partners to ensure the BMS team is aware of the status of all ongoing opportunities and that client debriefs are undertaken as necessary.
• Helping the Proposals Manager to maintain the pitch management pages on the firm's Intranet and ensuring that all proposal submissions are uploaded onto the system.
• Saving all client and final pitch documents in relevant folders.
• Undertaking adhoc administrative tasks as and when required.

Knowledge, skills and experience:

• Two to four years' proposals experience in in the legal profession and/ or professional services although consideration will be given to candidates who can demonstrate the necessary skill sets gained in other professions/areas such as copywriting.
• Degree educated - A background in English Language/ Literature/Journalism/ writing will be considered an advantage.
• High competency in IT Microsoft packages particularly Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP) accreditation will be considered advantageous, along with previous experience of working with proposal automation software.

Attributes

• Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills with the ability to articulate complex ideas and terminology in plain English.
• Meticulous attention to detail and accuracy.
• Good organisational and time management skills.
• Strong project management skills and mind-set - competent at managing projects with fixed deadlines and staying calm under pressure.
• Effective relationship builder - is able to interact with individuals at all levels across the organisation.
• Strong communication skills (both verbal and written)
• Stature and gravitas - is professional, credible, impactful and confident with persuading and influencing where appropriate.