Head of Bids/Bid Manager | Job in County Durham

In this pivotal role as the Head of Bids/Bid Manager for our organization, you will be responsible for leading and managing all aspects of the bidding process to ensure we successfully secure contracts that align with our strategic objectives. Your expertise will drive growth by effectively positioning us in the competitive marketplace and maximizing win rates. Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive bidding strategy, ensuring it is aligned with company goals and objectives.
• Oversee all aspects of the bid lifecycle, from identifying opportunities to managing submissions, negotiations, and post-award activities.
• Lead a team of Bid Managers and Coordinators, providing guidance, mentorship, and performance management to ensure high-quality bids are consistently delivered on time and within budget.
• Collaborate with functional areas across the organization (e.g., Sales, Marketing, Legal, Finance) to gather information, write proposals, and prepare supporting documents.
• Conduct market research to identify trends, competitor analysis, and assess potential risks and opportunities in the bidding process.
• Maintain a database of opportunities, ensuring that all relevant details are accurately recorded and regularly updated.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including clients, partners, and industry influencers, to foster a positive image of our organization.
• Continuously improve the bid process by implementing best practices, leveraging technology, and staying abreast of industry developments.
• Review bid performance data to identify areas for improvement and develop action plans to enhance our win rate.
• Provide regular reports on bidding activity, including success rates, revenue generated, and potential areas for growth to the leadership team.

Brief Summary

*Title: *

Head of Bids/Bid Manager We are seeking a dynamic and experienced professional to join our team as the Head of Bids/Bid Manager. In this strategic role, you will lead and manage all aspects of our bidding process for tenders and proposals across various sectors. Your primary responsibilities will include:

• Developing and implementing effective bid strategies that align with our company's growth objectives.
• Leading a team to prepare high-quality, competitive bids and proposals that accurately reflect the scope of work and demonstrate our capabilities.
• Collaborating with internal teams to gather necessary information, ensuring all submissions are complete, accurate, and comply with relevant regulations.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders, including clients, suppliers, and industry peers.
• Analyzing market trends and competitor activities to inform bid strategies and improve our win rate.
• Ensuring adherence to company policies and procedures in the bid management process. To excel in this role, you should have:
• Proven experience as a Bid Manager or similar role within a fast-paced, competitive environment.
• Excellent leadership skills with a proven track record of managing high-performing teams.
• Strong strategic thinking abilities and the capacity to translate these strategies into practical, effective bid plans.
• Exceptional communication and negotiation skills, both written and verbal.
• A solid understanding of relevant industry regulations and compliance requirements.
• Proficiency in using various bidding software and tools is advantageous. Join our team as the Head of Bids/Bid Manager, and play a pivotal role in shaping our future growth and success! If you are passionate about leading teams, developing effective strategies, and driving results we look forward to hearing from you.

Skills Required

In this dynamic role as the Head of Bids/Bid Manager within our organization, you will be leading a crucial function that directly contributes to our business growth and expansion. Your primary responsibility will be to manage all aspects of the bid process, ensuring we submit competitive and compelling proposals to secure new contracts and maintain existing relationships.

*Key Skills and Qualifications: *

• *Strategic Bid Management:

Demonstrate a strong understanding of the bid lifecycle, from identifying potential opportunities to submitting winning proposals. You should be adept at developing and implementing bid strategies that align with our organization's goals and values.

• *Proposal Development:

Possess excellent writing and communication skills with the ability to craft persuasive and well-structured proposals. You will collaborate closely with various departments to gather relevant information and ensure all proposal elements are accurate, comprehensive, and compelling.

• *Relationship Building:

Maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, both within our organization and with external clients. You should be able to build trust, manage expectations, and navigate complex business environments effectively.

• *Commercial Acumen:

Have a deep understanding of the market dynamics, industry trends, and competitor analysis. This knowledge will enable you to make informed decisions about bid strategy and pricing.

• *Project Management:

Demonstrate exceptional project management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and manage resources effectively. You should be adept at using project management tools and methodologies to streamline the bid process and improve efficiency.

• *Negotiation Skills:

Possess strong negotiation skills with the ability to negotiate terms that are mutually beneficial for our organization and clients. You will need to balance the needs of both parties while maintaining a professional and diplomatic approach.

• *Leadership and Team Management:

Lead and motivate a team of bid professionals, providing guidance, mentorship, and support where needed. Foster a positive and productive work environment that encourages collaboration, continuous learning, and high performance.

• *Business Acumen:

Demonstrate a strong understanding of our organization's business model, products, and services. You should be able to articulate the unique value proposition of our offerings to potential clients effectively.

• *Technical Knowledge:

Possess a good understanding of the technical aspects related to our industry, including regulatory requirements, safety standards, and quality control processes. This knowledge will enable you to assess the feasibility of bid proposals and make informed decisions about resource allocation.

• *Integrity and Ethics:

Uphold the highest standards of integrity, honesty, and ethical conduct in all your professional dealings. You should be committed to maintaining our organization's reputation for fairness, transparency, and trustworthiness in all bid activities.

Who We Are Looking For

*Who We Are Looking For: Head of Bids/Bid Manager *

Our dynamic and forward-thinking organization is currently seeking a highly skilled and experienced Head of Bids/Bid Manager to join our team. This role is critical in driving the growth and success of our business, managing the bidding process for major projects, and ensuring we submit competitive, compelling proposals that win new contracts.

*Key Responsibilities: *

• Lead the bid management process from start to finish, including opportunity identification, qualification, resource allocation, proposal development, and submission.
• Collaborate closely with business development, sales, marketing, and project delivery teams to understand client needs, develop winning strategies, and create persuasive proposals.
• Manage and mentor a team of bid coordinators and writers, providing guidance, training, and feedback to ensure the highest quality proposals are submitted on time and within budget.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, both internally and externally, to gather intelligence, influence decision-making, and enhance our chances of success.
• Drive continuous improvement in bid processes, templates, and tools, leveraging data and insights to optimize efficiency and effectiveness.
• Collaborate with the finance team to develop accurate cost estimates and pricing strategies that are competitive yet profitable.
• Manage risk effectively throughout the bidding process, ensuring compliance with company policies, procedures, and legal requirements.
• Contribute to the development of the organization's bid strategy, helping to shape our approach to new markets and opportunities.

*Qualifications: *

• Proven experience in a Head of Bids/Bid Management role within a professional services or construction industry, preferably with a focus on major projects.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and manage a team effectively.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a proven track record of building strong relationships.
• Exceptional writing skills and the ability to craft persuasive, compelling proposals that win business.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to develop accurate cost estimates and pricing strategies.
• Detail-oriented and able to manage multiple projects concurrently while meeting tight deadlines.
• A strategic thinker with the ability to contribute to the development of our bid strategy.
• A strong understanding of current market trends, business development, and sales processes.
• Degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field is desirable. Professional qualifications such as APMP, Prince2, PMP, or similar are advantageous. If you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, have a passion for winning business, and want to be part of an organization that values innovation, collaboration, and success, then we would love to hear from you. Apply today to join our team and help shape the future of our organization!

Routine Tasks

In this role as the Head of Bids or Bid Manager within our dynamic organization, you will be responsible for leading a team in managing the entire bidding process from opportunity identification to proposal submission and negotiation. Here are some key routine tasks that you can expect:

*Opportunity Identification

• : Stay abreast of industry trends, market changes, and business opportunities. Collaborate with our sales and business development teams to identify potential bids that align with our strategic objectives.

• *Bid Strategy Development

• : Develop comprehensive bid strategies for each opportunity based on a thorough understanding of the client's needs, our unique selling points, and the competitive landscape.

• *Proposal Preparation

• : Oversee the creation of high-quality, tailored proposals that effectively communicate our value proposition to potential clients. This includes drafting proposal content, gathering necessary information from relevant teams, and ensuring consistency in style and tone.

• *Bid Team Management

• : Lead a dedicated bid team in preparing responses to RFPs (Requests for Proposals), RFIs (Requests for Information), and other bidding documents. Provide guidance, coaching, and support to ensure the team's work is of the highest quality.

• *Price Setting and Negotiation

• : Collaborate with finance, operations, and delivery teams to determine competitive pricing while ensuring profitability and maintaining our high-quality standards. Participate in negotiations with clients to secure contracts.

• *Risk Assessment and Management

• : Identify potential risks associated with each bid and implement strategies to mitigate those risks. This includes assessing the financial, operational, and reputational risks involved.

• *Knowledge Management

• : Establish and maintain a database of bidding documents, past proposals, and other relevant information for future use. Share learnings and best practices within the team to continuously improve our bid management process.

• *Performance Metrics Tracking

• : Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to bid success rate, proposal turnaround time, and win-loss analysis. Use these metrics to make data-driven decisions and improve our bidding strategy over time.

• *Compliance

• : Ensure all proposals comply with legal and ethical standards, as well as any specific requirements outlined in the bid documents.

• *Continuous Improvement

• : Regularly review and refine our bid management process to increase efficiency, improve quality, and enhance our chances of winning more bids. Stay updated on industry best practices and adopt innovative approaches where appropriate.

Company Information

*Location: *

North East, United Kingdom

*Job Title: *

Head of Bids/Bid Manager

*About Us *

*The Opportunity *

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Head of Bids/Bid Manager to join our team. This role will play a pivotal part in driving the growth of our organisation by leading the bid management process, from initial identification of potential opportunities through to successful proposal submission.

*Key Responsibilities *

• Develop and implement effective bid strategies for new business opportunities in line with our overall business objectives.
• Manage and lead a team responsible for all aspects of bid development, ensuring timely and high-quality responses.
• Collaborate with various departments within the organisation to gather required information and ensure proposals accurately reflect our capabilities, services, and values.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including clients, partners, and suppliers.
• Analyse market trends and competitor activity to inform bid strategies and improve our competitive positioning.
• Monitor the bid pipeline, providing regular updates on progress and prospective win rates to senior management.
• Continuously improve bid processes, procedures, and tools to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

*Qualifications *

• Proven experience in a similar Bid Management role within a comparable industry.
• Excellent leadership skills with the ability to motivate and manage a team effectively.
• Strong commercial acumen and strategic thinking abilities.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in using bid management software and tools.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field, such as Business Management or Marketing.

*Why Join Us? *

By joining our team as the Head of Bids/Bid Manager, you will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the growth and success of our organisation. We offer a competitive salary, excellent benefits package, and a supportive working environment that encourages personal and professional development. If you are passionate about business development, have a proven track record in bid management, and are ready to take your career to the next level we would love to hear from you.

*Application Process *

To apply for this exciting opportunity, please submit your CV and cover letter outlining how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age.