EY Pursuits Strategist - Senior Associate 

South Africa, Gauteng, Johannesburg 

931347072

Role purpose

You will provide strategic and tactical support to pursuit teams in delivering high-quality pursuit materials, including coordination. You will assist in proposal development, manage timelines, and contribute to strategic communications that help EY win new business.

Core responsibilities

• Manage the execution of the pursuit process, including the critical path, timeline, strategic communications process, and interdependencies on the firm’s largest and strategically significant pursuits.
• Assess the competitive landscape and help develop a differentiated win strategy focused on client priorities while protecting EY’s interests.
• Develop a relationship map and tactics to navigate the client buying process.
• Consult with Partners, Client Executives, and BD leadership to develop and implement pursuit materials designed to achieve specific results.
• Collaborate with the extended pursuit team to define, package, and articulate a compelling client offer across the scope.
• Provide ongoing proposal strategy and support, including planning the storyline/key messages and preparing the extended team for orals.
• Be responsible for the development of all client-facing, written deliverables (e.g., meeting documents, proposals, presentations) that adhere to the firm's style guide in collaboration with the Creative Designer for design and formatting.
• Author original content when critical and/or necessary (e.g., cover letter, executive summary) and leverage relevant firm resources to source non-critical, boilerplate content when appropriate.
• Build collaborative relationships with pursuit teams, including Service Line, Account, and Business Development leaders as well as Senior Managers, Managers, and Staff.
• Manage multiple proposals/priorities simultaneously.

Required experience and skills

• 4+ years of relevant experience in business development, marketing, or project management.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially PowerPoint and Word.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Detail-oriented with strong organisational skills.
• Must be able to operate in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Solution-oriented with the ability to make sound recommendations and decisions.
• Self-motivated, resourceful, and able to work on one's own initiative with limited supervision.

Nice to have

• Experience in professional services is an asset.
• APMP, PMP certification is considered advantageous.
• Bachelor’s degree in Language, Communications, Marketing, or Business; a graduate degree or equivalent experience is preferred.