BRINGING CREATIVITY, COLLABORATION, AND EXCELLENCE TO EVERY BID

Restaurant Associates is a leader in bespoke employee dining, premium hospitality, and destination dining. We create extraordinary food experiences that blend innovation, sustainability, and outstanding service.
As a Senior Proposal Manager, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering winning tenders and proposals, working within The Creative Lab Bid Team. You will bring together strategic insights, commercial expertise, and creative storytelling to craft compelling bids that secure new business and showcase the exceptional quality of Restaurant Associates.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Minimum five years’ experience in bid/proposal management, ideally within a hospitality, food service, or contract catering environment.
• Proven track record of winning complex, high-value bids in a competitive market.
• Strong knowledge of bid methodologies and best practices (e.g., Shipley, Tom Sant, or BidPerfect).
• Ability to manage multiple bids simultaneously in deadline-driven environments.
• Advanced writing, editing, and proposal structuring skills, with a focus on client-centric storytelling.
• Excellent project management and stakeholder engagement skills at all levels.
• Strong experience with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and e-tendering portals.
• Working knowledge of Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.

• Bid Leadership – Manage the full bid lifecycle for complex, high-value opportunities (£1-£3m+), ensuring a seamless and structured approach.
• Strategic Proposal Development – Lead the creation of bespoke proposals, tenders, and presentations, ensuring alignment with win strategies, key messaging, and brand values.
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement – Work closely with the Sector Growth Director, Business Development Directors, and Strategic Partners to develop compelling, client-focused proposals.
• Content & Storytelling – Drive creative, solution-led proposal writing that reflects Restaurant Associates’ expertise, innovation, and commitment to excellence.
• Design & Branding – Support the visual impact of bids by working with design teams and external consultants to create high-quality, engaging sales documents.
• Bid Process Management – Ensure bid governance processes are followed, from kick-off workshops and storyboarding sessions to pink/red reviews and final submissions.
• Continuous Improvement – Conduct post-bid debriefs to capture insights, refine processes, and enhance future bid success.