Redland Search - Professional Recruitment Solutions
Bids Manager
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Location: Exeter or Bristol (hybrid - 2 days per week in the office)
A fantastic opportunity for an experienced bids professional to take ownership of high-profile tenders, proposals and pitches within a growing professional services environment. You will need experience of running the end-to-end bid process within professional services - focusing particularly on the public sector.
A highly successful and ambitious professional services firm is looking for a Bids Manager to join its growing Marketing & Client Development team.
This is a role for someone who enjoys taking a complex opportunity and turning it into a compelling, client-focused proposition — bringing together the right people, shaping the strategy and ultimately producing a submission that gives the business the best possible chance of winning.
The Role
As Bids & Proposals Manager, the successful candidate will take ownership of the bid process from initial opportunity assessment through to final submission.
Working closely with senior stakeholders, partners, lawyers and business support teams, the role will involve:
- Managing multiple bids, tenders, RFPs and proposals from start to finish
- Developing bid strategies, timelines and project plans to ensure submissions are delivered on time and to a high standard
- Researching clients, markets and opportunities to identify compelling win themes
- Drafting, reviewing and refining persuasive, client-focused responses
- Translating complex legal or technical information into clear and engaging content
- Coordinating contributions from stakeholders and ensuring everyone delivers what is required, when it is required
- Developing pitch documents and supporting presentation materials
- Monitoring bid performance and capturing feedback to improve future submissions
- Maintaining and developing the firm's library of bid content, case studies and supporting materials
- Championing bid best practice and helping colleagues become more effective and engaged in the bid process
- Identifying opportunities to improve processes, content and overall bid performance
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What makes someone successful in this role?
The ideal candidate will have a strong track record in bids and proposals, ideally gained within a professional services environment.
They will be someone who can combine excellent writing skills with strong commercial awareness and project management ability.
They will be comfortable interpreting a client's requirements, identifying what really matters to them and developing content that demonstrates a clear understanding of their needs.
Just as importantly, they will be confident working with senior stakeholders. They will be able to influence, challenge and motivate colleagues to contribute effectively, while maintaining strong relationships throughout the process.
The role would suit someone who is:
- Highly organised and able to manage several competing deadlines
- An excellent written communicator with a sharp eye for detail
- Commercially minded and genuinely interested in what makes a bid successful
- Comfortable working with senior stakeholders and challenging when necessary
- Naturally collaborative and able to bring people together around an opportunity
- Proactive, curious and always looking for ways to improve
- Confident using Microsoft Office and, ideally, bid management systems
Experience of formal tender processes, RFPs and pitch presentations is essential.
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Experience of public sector procurement and frameworks, including CCS and NHS SBS, would be highly advantageous.
Why join?
This is an opportunity to join a forward-thinking, growing professional services business where Marketing & Client Development plays a genuine role in supporting commercial growth.
The firm places considerable emphasis on creating an environment where people can develop their careers, have a healthy work-life balance and make a meaningful contribution.
Its culture is built around four core principles:
- Be Open
- Think Team
- Make a Difference
- Always Grow
There is a strong focus on innovation, responsible business, community involvement, diversity and inclusion, alongside ongoing training and development.
The successful candidate will be given the trust, support and opportunity to develop their career in the direction they want to take it.
The Opportunity
📍 Location: Exeter or Bristol
💼 Function: Marketing & Client Development
🎯 Role: Bids & Proposals Manager
If you're an experienced bids professional looking for a role where you can have real ownership, work closely with senior stakeholders and play a visible part in winning new business, this could be an excellent next step.
Interested? Get in touch for a confidential conversation about the role and the opportunity.
The firm is committed to building an inclusive workplace and welcomes applications from people from all backgrounds and with a wide range of experiences. Even if you don't meet every requirement, applications are encouraged from candidates who believe they could bring the right skills and potential to the role.
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