A leading professional services business is seeking a Business Development Bid Manager to join their team in a part time role for 2 days per week.
The role supports fee earners with their business development activities. Working across the firm means the role is incredibly varied in terms of the type of new business opportunities that present, and the offices and sectors involved. The role includes the management and co-ordination of tender documentation including responding to an RFP/ITT, the drafting of core text where appropriate, the co-ordination of tender teams and helping with final presentations. The role will also involve conducting business development research, helping identify targets, working on subsequent campaigns and involvement in other ad-hoc business development projects.
Key Responsibilities & Duties:
* Working with the other Business Development Manager, Senior Managers and Business Development Executive (based in London, Bristol and Manchester) to deliver the following and providing cover in times of absence or heavy workload:
* Preparing partners for client fact-find meetings, through deciphering the ITT/RFP, preparing questions to ask, and conducting research on the panel/prospective client. Writing tender content where appropriate, co-ordinating tender teams and their document input, sourcing appropriate document production when approved and ensuring all deadlines are met.
* Coaching the bid teams in presentation rehearsals, preparing them for panel questions and giving necessary feedback on delivery where relevant.
* Leading the tender feedback process, carrying out an independent debrief with the client/prospect following the tender results to identify areas for improvement and what we are doing well. Reporting the results back to the Head of Business Development and relevant partner/individuals to follow up on as appropriate and including any key points in the staff newsletter, so that those involved with tenders can learn from the experience.
* Holding tender debriefs with partners following bid completion, to gather feedback on team’s performance, identify any improvement points, and better understand their future needs.
* Collaborating with partners and staff to promote the continued and full use of the tender template system. Provide guidance and training to users when required. Educating the firm on tender best practice through various means - in the internal publication, through practice group presentations/meetings and one-to-ones with partners in the tender debriefs.
* Proactively anticipate client needs, highlighting potential opportunities to partners, such as tender renewal dates.
* Working with to identify and develop regional targets.
* Working with the Head of Business Development to deliver firm wide ad-hoc BD projects/campaigns including the firm’s client listening programme.
* Working with the Events Manager to ensure we capture opportunities arising from events, helping to co-ordinate the follow up and helping us to inform decisions on what events to focus on going forward.
* Understanding the partners’ needs/perspective, managing their expectations and pro-actively suggesting/designing BD solutions to meet individual needs.
* Building/maintaining strong relationships with colleagues and external suppliers.
The role requires:
* Experienced practitioner with relevant qualifications. Likely to have a relevant degree or equivalent and may be a part qualified or qualified professional within a discipline or have extensive equivalent experience.
* Experience of supervising colleagues, providing technical guidance, and ensuring compliance with policy and procedure.
* Experience within area to handle most situations without supervision and provide advice and guidance to others.
* Experience of interpreting policy and developing procedures/systems.
* Ability to analyse and interpret complex information/data and understand the impact on their discipline and wider firm.
* Able to establish and maintain strong and credible working relationships, influence others and may be required to motivate a team.
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills; including communicating with technical and non-technical clients and staff at all organisational levels.
* High levels of commitment and ability to act when necessary.
* Team-focused mentality, understanding that the function must work collaboratively to drive success.
* Strong presentation skills and ability to be persuasive.
* Able to use judgement / experience to tackle issues and seek advice on more complex problems.
* Strong analytical skills, based on systems and models relevant to the field of work.
* Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
* Provides direction, delegating, and removing obstacles to get work done effectively and efficiently.