Role Purpose:
The Bid Manager is responsible for managing and delivering high-quality bids, framework submissions, mini-competitions and supplier questionnaires that support the organisation’s growth strategy. The role ensures compliant, compelling, and commercially sound submissions, while also building and maintaining a robust bid content library to improve efficiency and win rates.
Key Responsibilities:
Bid and Tender Management
* Manage end-to-end delivery of bids, frameworks, mini-competitions, and supplier questionnaires (SQs / PQQs / Frameworks/ DPS applications).
* Lead bid kick-off meetings, establish timelines, and coordinate internal contributors to meet deadlines.
* Own the bid plan, compliance matrix, and submission schedule for each opportunity.
* Ensure all submissions are fully compliant with buyer requirements, evaluation criteria and governance processes.
Content Development and Quality
* Write, edit, and review high-quality bid responses that are clear, persuasive and customer focused.
* Tailor core content to specific buyers, sectors, and evaluation criteria.
* Ensure consistency of tone, messaging, and value proposition across all submissions.
* Apply best practice bid methodologies (e.g., answer planning, win themes, scoring optimisation).
Frameworks and Mini-Competitions
* Manage framework applications and ongoing participation requirements.
* Lead responses to call-offs and mini-competitions, ensuring rapid turnaround without compromising quality.
* Track framework pipelines, renewal dates and upcoming opportunities.
Supplier Questionnaires
* Complete and coordinate responses to supplier questionnaires, due diligence requests and compliance documentation.
* Maintain up-to-date standard responses for recurring SQ questions.
Content Library and Knowledge Management
* Create, maintain, and continuously improve the bid content library, including case studies, policies, CVs, and standard answers.
* Ensure content is version-controlled, up to date and easily accessible.
* Identify gaps in content and work with subject matter experts to close them.
Stakeholder Management
* Work closely with internal stakeholders (sales, product, finance, HR, legal, compliance etc.) to gather inputs and approvals.
* Challenge contributors constructively to improve clarity, evidence and scoring potential.
* Act as a trusted bid advisor to the wider business.
Reporting and Continuous Improvement
* Report bid progress, risks, and outcomes to the Head of Bid Management.
* Track bid metrics (e.g., win rates, scores, feedback themes).
* Analyse client feedback and embed lessons learned into future submissions and content.
* Support the ongoing development of bid processes, tools, and templates.
Skills and Experience
Essential
* Proven experience in bid management, tender writing, or proposal management.
* Experience in public sector procurement and frameworks
* Experience delivering bids, frameworks, mini-competitions, and supplier questionnaires.
* Understanding of evaluation methodologies and scoring criteria
* Strong writing, editing and proofreading skills with excellent attention to detail.
* Ability to manage multiple bids concurrently under tight deadlines.
* Strong organisational and stakeholder management skills.
* Confidence working with senior internal stakeholders and subject matter experts.
Desirable
* Familiarity with bid management tools or content libraries.
* APMP or equivalent bid qualification.
Personal Attributes
* Highly organised and deadline driven.
* Commercially aware and customer focused.
* Resilient under pressure with a calm, solution-oriented mindset.
* Proactive, curious, and committed to continuous improvement.
* Collaborative, but confident challenging content to raise quality.