The Bid Management team at Stede Associates is responsible for creating and managing the bid strategy, the Bid Management departmental plan, and the delivery of the plan to support the strategy in collaboration with the client and sales team and in alignment with the firms wider business objectives and values.
The Bid Manager will manage the end-to-end bid process across all offices, services, sectors and other growth opportunity channels. This role will have extensive senior experience in a bidding role and have a passion for delivering bids of the highest standard.
The key responsibilities for the role:
Day to day, this hands-on role is primarily concerned with leading and supporting the coordination, development and production of compliant and compelling bids with a primary focus on quality, in order to promote a joined up approach to client development and increase bid win rates:
• Managing and effectively resourcing the bid programme across the business
• Undertaking detailed bid/no bid analysis and providing strategic bid advice to technical teams, using key governance procedures as required
• Using agreed tools and processes, manage and undertake the coordination, writing and production of quality-focused bids and proposals across the network of offices in line with company processes, governance and wider best practice
• Identify, assemble and lead virtual teams of key stakeholders and contributors to bring our submissions together effectively and on time
• Identify and engage appropriate subconsultants and external partners where required, and manage NDAs, contributions and contractual discussions with support from Directors/Head of department
• Identify wider risk and opportunity areas, and take appropriate steps with internal stakeholders to manage resolution ahead of submission (e.g. policy implementation, financial reporting etc.)
• Seek out opportunities for new work via tender portals and other channels, managing new portals and incoming tender invitations with the Bid Coordinator where necessary
• Working with fee earners to coordinate and produce pitch and post-tender presentations, handouts and rehearsals, including presentation development and coaching.
More widely, the demonstrable ability to not only deliver winning bids and proposals both personally and through the effective management of resources, but also demonstrate the following key skills and attributes, is key:
• Strong commercial acumen and understanding of our services, sectors, clients, competitors and marketplace
• Proven expertise/track record in all core areas of bidding (qualification, project management, content development and writing, design, QA, presentation/negotiation) with a commitment to CPD and the ability to develop, mentor and coach others
• Able to manage, review, critically and objectively analyse and report on individual and team performance both pre and post submission, and report regularly at wider programme level to the management board
• Can identify and report on risks and opportunities and suggest next steps to address
• Independently assesses and develops team processes and tools to feed improvements
• Applies the bid strategy, process and governance flow and their principles to all aspects of their role, and promotes adherence with stakeholders at all levels, including junior team members
• Provides input to, and assists with delivery of, strategic direction as agreed with the Head of department
• Able to line manage and develop junior resources to agreed plans
Skills & Experience required:
• Experience using Adobe Creative Cloud applications
• Excellent communications skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to liaise effectively with both internal stakeholders and external clients
• Ability to write and edit technical content clearly and concisely and follow bids/sales best practice guidelines
• High attention to detail – the applicant must be a good proof reader and have an eye for design and layout
• Ability to influence and gain respect from senior management
• Highly organised, self-motivated and reliable
• Can-do attitude with ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team when necessary
• Uses initiative and able to learn independently, with commitment to CPD
We are a sociable bunch and host pay day drinks, quarterly lunches, quiz nights and cultural and sporting activities to socialise and have fun with your colleagues. We also give back and take part in numerous charity events all over the country throughout the year
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A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident .