Proposal Manager I

Fortrea is seeking a Proposal Manager I to join our proposal management team in the United Kingdom. This is a full-time position where you'll drive business development by shepherding opportunities through the complete proposal lifecycle, collaborating with internal teams and external partners to craft competitive, client-focused responses.

What This Role Involves

You'll serve as the central hub for assigned proposal opportunities, taking ownership of the entire development cycle from initial client enquiry through final submission. Working within a matrix structure across multiple business units and time zones, you'll coordinate with internal subject matter experts, senior stakeholders, and third-party suppliers to deliver high-impact, technically sound proposals and budget documentation. This role balances operational rigour—managing timelines, tracking deliverables, and maintaining accurate records—with strategic collaboration to solve client challenges and position Fortrea competitively.

What You'll Do

• Manage low- to medium-complexity proposal opportunities end-to-end, including budgets, schedules, and written responses to Requests for Information (RFI) and Requests for Proposal (RFP).
• Review and analyse client documentation to extract requirements and flag gaps; follow up with stakeholders to secure necessary information for accurate proposal preparation.
• Identify capability and requirement mismatches early, escalating issues where needed and working toward practical solutions.
• Convene and facilitate both strategic and operational calls with internal and external participants to drive proposal progress and alignment.
• Coordinate quotations and technical information from vendors and specialist teams; consolidate findings into cohesive, polished deliverables under tight deadlines.
• Support internal and external negotiations on pricing, scope, resources, and timelines as required.
• Maintain regulatory and technical awareness relevant to assigned opportunities; contribute quality control checks and process improvements.
• Assist with client-facing and executive-level meetings, hosting visits, and supporting senior management activities around major opportunities.
• Perform accurate data entry and record-keeping in proposal systems and corporate databases.
• Contribute to the organisation's content library and support the onboarding of new team members.

Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent professional experience.
• Proven track record developing budgets and/or proposal text within a CRO or pharmaceutical environment.
• Excellent MS Office proficiency, particularly Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Strong written and verbal communication; ability to adapt messaging for different audiences.
• Demonstrated planning, prioritisation, and multitasking capability in a deadline-driven setting.
• Meticulous attention to detail and commitment to quality in all deliverables.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across business units and geographies.
• Solid analytical thinking and problem-solving approach.
• Experience with proposal management software (Salesforce, Qvidian, or similar automation tools) is desirable.
• Willingness to accommodate irregular or extended working hours to meet client proposal windows.
• Flexibility to participate in meetings across different time zones and availability for travel.

About the Company

Fortrea is a leading provider of contract research and development solutions. We partner with our clients to advance their most critical objectives, drawing on deep expertise across the life sciences sector.

How to Apply

To apply, complete your application directly on this page, or you'll be redirected to the employer's application platform to finish submitting there.