Bid Writer

Description:

We are currently looking for a Copy Wrier/ Bid Writer to complement and support our strong pre-construction team. The role will be based in our Cambridge office, although with agile working there will be an opportunity to work partly from the office or from one of our other offices (location permitting, at the discretion of the line manager). The successful candidate will be joining one of the largest family run construction business’ dealing with a diverse range of interesting and challenging projects across multiple sectors. For this role you will need to be ambitious, self-motivated, resourceful and able to work within our team of like-minded individuals. You will have excellent communication skills, both verbally and written, and you will need to hold a clean driving license. You need to be a conscientious, organised and a pro-active team player, highly motivated and committed to achieving company targets and always focused on the task in hand. You should be able to use initiative and prioritise effectively to meet tight deadlines, working independently or as part of a team.

The role will ideally suit someone from a marketing or business development or bid leading background, not necessarily from a main contractor background, perhaps from the construction supply chain.

The Bid/Copy Writer

Produce professionally written proposal and pitch content that superbly articulates the organisations value proposition and win themes. This is a highly networked role that requires a forensic attention to detail, the ability to work under pressure within a preconstruction team, to demanding deadlines. The Bid Writer plays a leading role in ensuring the effective co-ordination and timely completion of tenders. The Bid Writer is involved in different stages of the tender. The Bid Writer is typically engaged to help develop the value proposition and articulate the win themes and solution narrative. They are heavily involved throughout the Proposal Phase and typically exits after Clarification Questions have been submitted. During their duties, the Bid Writer will also be the required to oversee, coach and mentor junior members of the Bid Writing team and sign off on their submissions.

E

Proven skills in writing and editing proposal content within a complex business environment. The Bid Writer will be experienced in leading storyboarding sessions, participating in key review meetings / final document review, content sign-off, and document production. Excellent written English language skills are essential for this role. Experience of coordinating / managing and updating a knowledgebase system is also desirable

Core Respons

• Re-write / edit proposal responses from a variety of stakeholders, typically involving contributions from sales, marketing, product teams, finance, commercial, legal and delivery.

• Ensure win themes are articulated in such a way to meet / exceed the client’s requirements.

• Deliver completed written proposal responses to the Bid Lead/ Manager against agreed deadlines, escalating issues as required.

• Lead storyboard sessions with bid / proposal team members.

• Undertake market research for the kick off and solution meetings.

• Proactively develop and manage a network of subject matter experts.

• Assist the Bid / Proposal Manager in developing a proposal structure.

• Identify and re-work existing pre-written content where relevant.

• Ability to coach and solution Bid teams in writing best practice.

• Knowledge of proposal automation software.

• Communicate and influence at a senior level.

• Excellent time management / prioritisation skills.

• Forensic attention to detail and meticulous proof-reading skills.

• Work with the Business Development Team in researching OJEU Notices (Ted and My Tenders), sales leads, websites, planning applications and the like, to identify new leads.

• Designing presentations and company brochures tailored to individual client requirements

• Liaison with other offices, sharing information and promoting the Group and helping produce brochures to use when engaging prospective clients.

• Working on the preparation/writing of PQQ’s and tender bids, helping write bid responses as part of the wider preconstruction team.

Key skills

· Experience of working as a bid writer in a team previously

· A great communicator with excellent spoken and written English

· Effective and experienced manager

· A high attention to detail

· Highly motivated

· Deadline driven

· Thrive in a busy environment

· Able to motivate a team

· Experience in your business sector

· Proven bid team involvement, a ‘team player’, able to work independently and as part of a team

· Can demonstrate effective bid writing skills

· Good organisation skills and work ethic

· Computer skills – need to be proficient on Microsoft Office packages (preferably with experience of the 2010 suite – Word, Excel, Outlook). Preferably with experience with ‘Adobe InDesign’ would be beneficial but not essential (and training can be provided).

· A good, clear telephone manner is essential as there will be client interface during the course of the daily works, including Teams meetings.

Qualifications: -

Strong academic background (degree level) in English Language or equivalent is desirable. Creative Writing Qualification. Knowledge and working experience in the construction sector would also be useful. APMP Foundation (Practitioner or Professional level desirable).

Other aspects the job offers:

· 25 days holiday per year plus bank holidays.

· Free parking

· Based at our Cambridge Office.

· Contributory Pension Scheme

· Hours of work – 8.15am – 5pm Monday to Friday.

· Salary dependent on experience and subject to negotiation.

· Free access to our reward platform Fle