Description:
We are looking for an exceptional technical author to join us at Associate Director level and lead the development of high-quality, compelling proposal narratives across our major infrastructure portfolio.
Ideally London, although exceptional candidates based in Bath, Manchester or Leeds will also be considered on a hybrid working model.
Lead the narrative on major infrastructure projects
Buro Happold is an international, integrated consultancy of engineers, designers and advisers. We are committed to creating a positive impact for people, places and the planet by tackling complexity with creativity and delivering sustainable solutions that provide long-term value.
Working across highways, rail, water, environment and energy, you will help translate complex technical solutions into clear, persuasive and client-focused submissions. You will also have opportunities to contribute to prestigious international Cities and Infrastructure pursuits.
This is a senior and influential role that will play an important part in supporting our major infrastructure growth strategy in the UK.
What will you be doing?
Working closely with our Strategic Pursuits Director, technical and market leaders, bid coordinators and subject matter experts, you will:
- Lead the authorship of technical responses for major infrastructure bids.
- Create precise, compliant and persuasive content aligned with client requirements and evaluation criteria.
- Interpret evaluation frameworks and shape responses that address scoring criteria and clearly differentiate our offer.
- Turn complex technical methodologies, evidence and value propositions into engaging, accessible narratives.
- Coordinate multidisciplinary technical responses and challenge, clarify and strengthen contributions from internal and external collaborators.
- Review technical content for quality, completeness, consistency and compliance.
- Collaborate with bid, resourcing and commercial leads to align submissions with delivery strategies, resource plans and commercial positioning.
- Manage bid quality assurance processes, including stage reviews.
- Support early pipeline and pursuit planning, and applying lessons learned to improve future submissions.
- Develop tailored case studies and value proposition narratives for infrastructure markets.
- Contribute to marketing, presentation and thought-leadership content.
- Mentor colleagues, coach technical contributors and champion continuous improvement in technical writing, including the use of AI and automation.
What are we looking for?
You will be an accomplished proposal, bid or technical author with the confidence to operate at senior level and influence multidisciplinary teams.
You Will Bring
- Exceptional writing, editing and content-structuring skills.
- Significant experience in proposal authoring, bid writing, technical writing or professional drafting, including within engineering, infrastructure, construction, government, policy or legislative environments.
- A strong track record of shaping successful, high-scoring submissions for major bids.
- Experience of public-sector bids and frameworks, working with technical experts across engineering and environmental disciplines.
- The ability to interpret complex client requirements and translate technical information into clear and persuasive content.
- Experience within a design and build environment, or close collaboration with consultants and contractors.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
- The ability to manage several proposals concurrently while maintaining consistently high standards.
- Experience reviewing and improving content produced by others.
- A commitment to mentoring colleagues and developing authoring capability across an organisation.
- Ideally, relevant professional membership or certification, such as CIEP or APMP.