Bid Manager

Description:

We are currently recruiting for an experienced Bid Manager to join a high-performing commercial and business development team supporting major bid submissions within a highly regulated and secure government-focused environment.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced bid professional to take ownership of complex, high-value opportunities while managing the full bid lifecycle from early capture and strategy development through to final submission and contract handover.

Working closely with senior stakeholders, technical specialists, commercial teams, and business development professionals, you will play a key role in developing compelling, compliant, and commercially competitive bid submissions that directly support long-term business growth.

This position is ideally suited to a highly organised and commercially aware Bid Manager who thrives in fast-paced bid environments and has experience managing complex tender processes within structured governance frameworks.

The Role

As Bid Manager, you will be responsible for coordinating and managing bids from initial opportunity capture through to final submission, ensuring all bid activity is delivered in line with best practice methodologies, internal governance processes, and strict submission deadlines.

You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams to develop winning bid strategies, manage proposal development, coordinate technical and commercial input, and ensure all submissions are delivered to the highest possible standard.

Key Responsibilities

Manage the full bid lifecycle from early opportunity capture through to final submission and contract handover

Own and manage the overall Bid Management Plan, ensuring deadlines, milestones, and deliverables are achieved

Develop bid schedules, coordinate internal review meetings, and manage bid budgets throughout the process

Work closely with business development teams and account managers to gather client intelligence and competitive insights

Develop strong win themes, competitive positioning strategies, and proposal structures

Coordinate multidisciplinary bid teams across technical, operational, commercial, and delivery functions

Oversee production of pricing models and commercial submission documentation

Ensure all submissions follow structured bid management methodology and internal governance requirements

Facilitate stakeholder workshops, competitor analysis exercises, and bid strategy sessions

Manage internal review processes including technical, commercial, financial, and stage gate approvals

Maintain accurate opportunity data and reporting through CRM systems

Support contract award handover to delivery teams and capture lessons learned following bid outcomes

Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives focused on improving bid quality, process efficiency, and win rates

What We're Looking For

To be considered, candidates should have:

✔ Proven experience successfully managing complex bids from capture through to submission and award

✔ Strong experience managing PQQs, ITTs, RFPs, and formal tender submission processes

✔ Experience working with structured bid management methodologies such as Shipley or equivalent

✔ Strong stakeholder management skills with experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams

✔ Excellent written communication skills with the ability to produce high-quality, compelling submission content

✔ Strong commercial awareness and understanding of pricing, tender governance, and commercial submission processes

✔ Experience facilitating workshops, managing multiple deadlines, and coordinating complex submissions under pressure

✔ Advanced Microsoft Office capability including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Teams, and Project

✔ Strong organisational skills and exceptional attention to detail

✔ Ability to work within highly secure and confidential programme environments

Essential Clearance Requirement

Candidates must already hold active Security Level 1B Vetting (Mandatory).

Applications from candidates who do not currently hold this level of security clearance cannot be considered.

Highly Desirable Experience

APMP Certification (or currently working towards)

Experience working with Shipley bid methodology

Familiarity with Miller Heiman sales methodology

Experience working within secure government, defence, infrastructure, or highly regulated sectors

Experience within large matrix organisations managing complex bid environments

Experience using proposal automation software or advanced bid management platforms

What's On Offer

Up to £70 per hour

Long-term 12 Month+ Contract Opportunity

Immediate start available

Primarily remote working with occasional office attendance

Access to regional hub locations in Bristol, London, Cheltenham, Birmingham, or Manchester

Flexible working arrangement with 30-37.5 hours per week available

Opportunity to work on strategically important, high-value bid opportunities within complex regulated markets

Long-term contract stability with exposure to major programme opportunities

Why Apply?

This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced Bid Manager looking to join a fast-paced, commercially driven environment where you will play a direct role influencing business growth through the successful delivery of major strategic bids.

If you have strong experience managing complex bids, tender submissions, proposal development, stakeholder management, and structured bid processes, and already hold active Security Level 1B Vetting, we would like to hear from you