VSL, part of the Bouygues Construction Group, is a global specialist in engineering and construction, delivering innovative solutions across some of the world's most technically challenging infrastructure projects.

Through our Ground Engineering Business Line, we provide specialist foundation and ground engineering solutions for major infrastructure, transport, energy and construction projects, combining international technical expertise with innovative and cost-effective construction methodologies.

Our capabilities include diaphragm walls, deep foundations, ground improvement, grouting, jet grouting, soil mixing, ground anchors and other specialist geotechnical solutions.

As investment in major infrastructure continues across Europe and the Americas, we are looking to strengthen our international business development and tendering capabilities, identifying new opportunities and supporting the delivery of complex ground engineering projects.

Working closely with the wider Bouygues Construction Group and our international network of technical and operational teams, this position offers the opportunity to contribute to the growth of VSL's Ground Engineering activities across multiple markets.

Position

We are seeking an experienced Business Development & Tendering Manager – Ground Engineering to lead the identification, development and pursuit of strategic business opportunities across international markets, primarily Europe and the Americas.

Reporting directly to the Global Operations Manager for Foundations, you will be responsible for developing commercial strategies, establishing strong relationships with clients and partners, and leading the preparation of competitive technical and commercial proposals for complex ground engineering projects.

The role will have a particular focus on intra-group opportunities within Bouygues Construction, while also developing relationships with external clients, contractors and strategic partners.

Combining business development, technical expertise and commercial leadership, you will oversee opportunities from initial identification and client engagement through tendering, contract negotiation and handover to operational teams following award.

You will work closely with VSL's international technical, commercial and operational teams, coordinating resources and expertise to develop innovative, competitive and commercially viable solutions.

The position can be based either at our London office (Becket House) or Bouygues Construction's Challenger headquarters in Guyancourt, France, with frequent international travel.

Main Responsibilities

Business Development & Commercial Strategy

• Develop and implement business development and commercial strategies for VSL's Ground Engineering activities across the designated international markets.

• Identify, assess and prioritise strategic opportunities across major infrastructure, transport, energy and construction projects.

• Develop a strong pipeline of opportunities, with particular emphasis on projects delivered within the wider Bouygues Construction Group.

• Establish and maintain relationships with existing and prospective clients, contractors, consultants and strategic partners.

• Identify opportunities for early contractor involvement and collaborative project development.

• Promote VSL's specialist ground engineering capabilities and strengthen the company's presence across target markets.

• Assess commercial opportunities, technical risks and market conditions to support strategic decision-making.

Tendering & Technical-Commercial Leadership

• Lead the end-to-end tendering process for complex ground engineering projects, from initial opportunity assessment through to final submission.

• Coordinate technical, commercial, contractual, financial and legal inputs to develop competitive and comprehensive proposals.

• Work closely with engineering and estimating teams to define construction methodologies, programmes, pricing strategies and technical solutions.

• Lead the development of detailed cost estimates, pricing studies, benchmarks and risk assessments.

• Identify opportunities for value engineering, alternative construction methods and innovative technical solutions.

• Chair internal tender reviews and coordinate the necessary approvals in accordance with company governance procedures.

• Ensure tender submissions meet client requirements, commercial objectives and internal quality standards.

Client Relationships, Partnerships & Negotiations

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, joint venture partners, contractors and key industry stakeholders.

• Engage with clients throughout the business development and tendering process to understand project requirements and strengthen VSL's competitive positioning.

• Identify and evaluate potential project partners and support the negotiation of partnership arrangements.

• Lead commercial and contractual negotiations, working closely with legal, finance and technical specialists.

• Represent VSL in senior-level client meetings, technical discussions and commercial negotiations.

• Support the successful award of contracts and maintain positive client relationships throughout the project development lifecycle.

Technical Development & Ground Engineering Solutions

• Promote VSL's specialist capabilities in diaphragm walls, deep foundations, grouting, jet grouting, soil mixing, ground improvement, ground anchors and directional drilling.

• Work with international technical teams to develop practical, innovative and cost-effective ground engineering solutions.

• Assess the technical feasibility, constructability and commercial viability of proposed methodologies.

• Support the development of alternative technical solutions that provide competitive advantages during tendering.

• Leverage expertise from VSL's international network to address complex engineering challenges.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of technical and commercial approaches to tendering.

Team Leadership & International Collaboration

• Lead and coordinate business development and tendering activities across international and multidisciplinary teams.

• Plan and manage tendering resources, ensuring studies and proposals are delivered within agreed budgets and timelines.

• Coordinate contributions from technical, estimating, commercial, operational and support functions.

• Work closely with the wider VSL and Bouygues Construction network to identify opportunities for collaboration and resource sharing.

• Support the development of team capabilities, knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.

• Promote effective collaboration across different countries, functions and cultures.

Contract Award, Handover & Performance

• Oversee the transition of successfully secured projects from tendering into operational delivery.

• Ensure comprehensive handover of commercial, contractual and technical documentation to project teams.

• Support post-award reviews and contribute to the identification of lessons learned.

• Monitor business development and tendering performance, including opportunity pipelines, tender conversion, study budgets and resource utilisation.

• Ensure compliance with internal commercial governance, tendering procedures and ethical standards.

• Contribute to the achievement of agreed business development targets and new order objectives.

Education

• Degree or Master's in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering or a related discipline.

• Chartered Engineer status (MICE, CEng, Eur Ing or equivalent) would be advantageous.

Experience

• Minimum 10 years' relevant experience within ground engineering, specialist foundations or major civil engineering projects, ideally gained with a contractor or specialist subcontractor.

• Proven experience in business development, tendering, estimating, pricing, project management or a related technical-commercial role.

• Strong technical understanding of specialist ground engineering methodologies, including diaphragm walls, deep foundations, ground improvement, grouting and soil mixing.

• Demonstrable experience developing technical and commercial proposals for complex infrastructure or construction projects.

• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary tendering teams and managing technical, commercial and contractual inputs.

• Strong commercial awareness, including pricing strategies, cost estimation, risk assessment and contract negotiations.

• Experience developing relationships with major contractors, clients, consultants and project partners.

• Exposure to international infrastructure markets, particularly within Europe, would be advantageous.

• Experience working within an international construction group or on major joint venture projects would be beneficial.

Essentials

• Fluent English and French, both written and spoken. Spanish would be advantageous.

• Strong business development, commercial and negotiation capabilities.

• Excellent technical credibility and understanding of specialist ground engineering solutions.

• Proven ability to identify opportunities, develop competitive proposals and contribute to securing new contracts.

• Strong leadership, networking and stakeholder-management skills.

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with strong attention to detail.

• Strategic and commercially driven mindset, with a focus on profitability and sustainable business growth.

• Proactive, resilient and results-oriented approach.

• Ability to work effectively across international, multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.

• Willingness to undertake frequent international travel.

• Ability to be based in either London (Becket House) or Guyancourt, France (Challenger).

• Appropriate right to work in the country of employment.

Interested? Apply now and let's build the great structures of tomorrow together!