TS
Proposal and Pursuits Officer
- Hiring from
- Australia
- Work type
- Hybrid
- Posted
- Sep 28, 2026
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Job Type: Permanent - Full Time
Location: Melbourne CBD
Job Category: Marketing
About
About the Social Research Centre
The Social Research Centre is Australia’s largest dedicated social research and evaluation agency. We conduct research that informs public policy, services and programs across areas such as health, education, employment and social services.
For 25 years, we have brought together research and evaluation specialists, statisticians, survey methodologists, data scientists and other experts to tackle complex social issues. Our work helps governments and organisations make better decisions that reflect the experiences of people and communities across Australia.
Job Description
About the role
We are looking for a highly organised and persuasive Proposal and Pursuits Officer to take a lead role in coordinating high-quality bids, tenders and proposals that support the Social Research Centre’s growth.
Working within our Branding, Marketing and Communications team, you will sit at the centre of SRC’s proposal process. You will work with senior leaders, researchers, subject matter experts and corporate teams to bring together clear, compelling and compliant responses for government and other clients.
The role will coordinate opportunities from initial assessment through to final submission, help develop and improve proposal content, maintain proposal systems and resources, and identify smarter and more efficient ways of working.
This is not a traditional sales or Business Development Manager role. The focus is on coordinating and improving the proposal and tender process, supporting contributors and helping SRC pursue meaningful research and evaluation opportunities.
Location and hybrid working
This role is based in Melbourne. SRC operates under a hybrid working model involving a mix of working from our Melbourne CBD office and from home. Employees in this role should expect to attend the office at least three days per week.
Please do not apply if you are seeking a fully remote role.
What You’ll Be Doing
You will coordinate SRC’s proposal and tender activity, helping teams respond to opportunities in a planned, timely and consistent way. Your responsibilities will include:
This role would suit someone who enjoys bringing structure to complex work, coordinating people and deadlines, improving processes and producing high-quality written material.
You may currently work in bids, tenders, proposal coordination, consulting support, research support, professional services or a similar environment and be looking for an opportunity to take greater ownership of the proposal process.
You will be comfortable managing competing priorities, building strong working relationships and identifying opportunities to improve how work gets done.
Desired Skills And Experience
What you’ll bring
Essential
Please Submit The Following Through The Advertised Recruitment Channels
Please ensure your application addresses the requested questions. Applications that do not provide the requested information may not be considered.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received and shortlisting may begin before the closing date. SRC reserves the right to close the advertisement early if a suitable candidate pool has been identified.
Applications close Sunday 11 th October.
Recruitment process
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in an interview process and complete a practical written or proposal-based assessment relevant to the role.
Use of technology in recruitment: Our recruitment process is human-led at every stage. We may use AI-based tools to support our review, but all decisions are made by our hiring team.
Work rights
Applicants must have valid working rights in Australia for the expected duration of employment. Visa sponsorship has not been confirmed for this position.
Accessibility and adjustments
If you require an adjustment to participate in the recruitment process, or if you are unable to apply through the online portal or provide a written cover letter, please contact recruitment@srcentre.com.au . We will work with you to provide a reasonable adjustment or alternative application method.
Privacy
The Social Research Centre handles applicant personal information in accordance with its Recruitment and Selection Policy. For questions about the role or recruitment process, please contact recruitment@srcentre.com.au .
Diversity and inclusion
The Social Research Centre values diversity and believes that an inclusive and fair work environment has a positive impact on employee wellbeing, job satisfaction and productivity.
We encourage applications from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples; people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities; and people with disability.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are welcome to contact our First Nations Lead through FirstNations@srcentre.com.au to discuss the role or ask questions.
Recruitment agencies
The Social Research Centre does not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate referrals from recruitment agencies for this role. Any agency submissions made without a prior written agreement will not be considered and no fees will be payable.
Location: Melbourne CBD
Job Category: Marketing
About
About the Social Research Centre
The Social Research Centre is Australia’s largest dedicated social research and evaluation agency. We conduct research that informs public policy, services and programs across areas such as health, education, employment and social services.
For 25 years, we have brought together research and evaluation specialists, statisticians, survey methodologists, data scientists and other experts to tackle complex social issues. Our work helps governments and organisations make better decisions that reflect the experiences of people and communities across Australia.
Job Description
About the role
We are looking for a highly organised and persuasive Proposal and Pursuits Officer to take a lead role in coordinating high-quality bids, tenders and proposals that support the Social Research Centre’s growth.
Working within our Branding, Marketing and Communications team, you will sit at the centre of SRC’s proposal process. You will work with senior leaders, researchers, subject matter experts and corporate teams to bring together clear, compelling and compliant responses for government and other clients.
The role will coordinate opportunities from initial assessment through to final submission, help develop and improve proposal content, maintain proposal systems and resources, and identify smarter and more efficient ways of working.
This is not a traditional sales or Business Development Manager role. The focus is on coordinating and improving the proposal and tender process, supporting contributors and helping SRC pursue meaningful research and evaluation opportunities.
Location and hybrid working
This role is based in Melbourne. SRC operates under a hybrid working model involving a mix of working from our Melbourne CBD office and from home. Employees in this role should expect to attend the office at least three days per week.
Please do not apply if you are seeking a fully remote role.
What You’ll Be Doing
You will coordinate SRC’s proposal and tender activity, helping teams respond to opportunities in a planned, timely and consistent way. Your responsibilities will include:
- Monitor government tender portals and identify relevant opportunities
- Coordinate bid/no-bid discussions and maintain proposal and pipeline records.
- Develop proposal plans, timelines and submission strategies.
- Coordinate contributors, reviews and approvals across multiple teams.
- Write, edit and improve clear, persuasive and client-focused proposal content.
- Work with subject matter experts to translate technical information into accessible and compelling responses.
- Coordinate commercial and compliance inputs across pricing, contracts, privacy, security and related requirements.
- Coordinate final approval and lodgement arrangements so submissions are complete, compliant and submitted on time.
- Maintain reusable proposal content and support post-submission reviews, client debriefs and reporting.
- Improve proposal systems, templates and workflows through continuous improvement, automation and responsible use of AI.
This role would suit someone who enjoys bringing structure to complex work, coordinating people and deadlines, improving processes and producing high-quality written material.
You may currently work in bids, tenders, proposal coordination, consulting support, research support, professional services or a similar environment and be looking for an opportunity to take greater ownership of the proposal process.
You will be comfortable managing competing priorities, building strong working relationships and identifying opportunities to improve how work gets done.
Desired Skills And Experience
What you’ll bring
Essential
- Demonstrated experience coordinating complex bids, tenders or proposals in professional services, consulting, research, evaluation or a comparable environment.
- Demonstrated experience working with Australian government procurement and tender processes, including RFQs, RFTs, evaluation criteria, submission conditions and online tender portals.
- Strong writing and editing skills, including the ability to turn technical and multi-author material into clear and persuasive responses.
- Strong organisational and coordination skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, contributors and deadlines.
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to coordinate contributors without direct authority.
- Sound judgement, attention to detail and commitment to quality.
- Advanced practical capability in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.
- A collaborative, service-oriented and improvement-focused approach.
- A relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent relevant professional experience.
- Experience in social research, evaluation, professional services or another knowledge-based environment.
- Experience coordinating government panel, standing offer, consortium or multi-party submissions.
- Experience coordinating commercial and contract inputs across multiple internal stakeholders.
- Experience using proposal, CRM, workflow, knowledge-management or tender systems.
- Experience using automation or AI tools to improve workflows, with appropriate accuracy checking, confidentiality safeguards and human oversight.
- Relevant bid or proposal management certification.
- Meaningful work: help SRC pursue research and evaluation projects that inform policy, programs and services across Australia.
- Genuine ownership: play an important role in shaping and modernising how SRC approaches proposals and tenders.
- Opportunity to improve systems: introduce smarter ways of working, improve reusable content and help reduce unnecessary manual effort.
- Cross-organisational exposure: work with researchers, senior leaders, subject matter experts and corporate teams across the organisation.
- Professional development: build your experience in proposal development, government procurement, stakeholder coordination and business development operations.
- Hybrid working: work through a mix of Melbourne CBD office attendance and working from home.
- Employee benefits: access paid parental leave, wellbeing initiatives, the Employee Assistance Program, annual flu vaccinations, regular social activities and SRC’s standard employee benefits.
Please Submit The Following Through The Advertised Recruitment Channels
- Your CV.
- A brief cover letter of no more than one page addressing the questions below:
- Describe your experience coordinating bids, tenders or proposals, including your experience with Australian government procurement and tender processes.
- Provide an example of a complex submission you coordinated, including your role and how you managed contributors and deadlines.
- Provide an example of a process, system or template you improved to increase efficiency, consistency or quality.
Please ensure your application addresses the requested questions. Applications that do not provide the requested information may not be considered.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received and shortlisting may begin before the closing date. SRC reserves the right to close the advertisement early if a suitable candidate pool has been identified.
Applications close Sunday 11 th October.
Recruitment process
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in an interview process and complete a practical written or proposal-based assessment relevant to the role.
Use of technology in recruitment: Our recruitment process is human-led at every stage. We may use AI-based tools to support our review, but all decisions are made by our hiring team.
Work rights
Applicants must have valid working rights in Australia for the expected duration of employment. Visa sponsorship has not been confirmed for this position.
Accessibility and adjustments
If you require an adjustment to participate in the recruitment process, or if you are unable to apply through the online portal or provide a written cover letter, please contact recruitment@srcentre.com.au . We will work with you to provide a reasonable adjustment or alternative application method.
Privacy
The Social Research Centre handles applicant personal information in accordance with its Recruitment and Selection Policy. For questions about the role or recruitment process, please contact recruitment@srcentre.com.au .
Diversity and inclusion
The Social Research Centre values diversity and believes that an inclusive and fair work environment has a positive impact on employee wellbeing, job satisfaction and productivity.
We encourage applications from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples; people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities; and people with disability.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are welcome to contact our First Nations Lead through FirstNations@srcentre.com.au to discuss the role or ask questions.
Recruitment agencies
The Social Research Centre does not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate referrals from recruitment agencies for this role. Any agency submissions made without a prior written agreement will not be considered and no fees will be payable.