Job Description
Owen Reed is looking to recruit a Bids Executive for a top law firm in Sevenoaks.
This is a multi-disciplinary, hands-on role with a strong focus on supporting the delivery of business development services, in particular the process for responding to bids, proposals and tenders and other new business opportunities of strategic importance to the firm to assist the generation of new fees from both new prospects and existing clients.
The Bids Executive will have responsibility for co-ordinating the production of bids across all practice groups, to project manage and have creative oversight to deliver bids on time.
Accountabilities
Tenders, pitches and proposals
* Production of tender documents, proposals and presentations as and when required including tenders for all offices, practice areas and sectors as appropriate.
* Advising on bid best practice as appropriate.
* Using innovative thinking to ensure the promotion of key themes and messages within the tender proposal.
* Input and co-ordination to assist with the maintenance of an opportunities pipeline within our existing CRM database for holding and sharing tender information and analysis.
* Delivering PQQs, RFIs and ITTs, managing the process from identification to post-submission.
* Supporting the pitch teams with presentations, instigating rehearsals and providing constructive critiques.
* Re-writing and editing content proposals, which includes input from a variety of stakeholders.
* Utilsing Pitch Perfect software as well as inputting data through SharePoint.
* Carrying out web-based research to source general information as part of the bid support function.
* Undertaking client and market research.
Legal Directories
* Assistance in co-ordinating the production of the firm's annual legal directory submissions, guiding practice teams to ensure they submit on time and to a high quality standard to ensure continued high rankings.
Marketing Collateral
* Working closely with members of the BD and Marketing Team to ensure best practice is delivered through the creation of collateral through InDesign.
Personal development
* As part of a team, investigating new ideas to differentiate us in the marketplace.
* Support other BD and Marketing Team members in other office locations where necessary.
The candidate
* Proven experience of writing proposals, tenders and presentations, ideally within the professional services sector.
* Self-motivated with the ability to use initiative and provide pro-active support to colleagues.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a high level of attention to detail.
* The ability to work calmly under pressure and adhere to strict deadlines.
* Flexible and adaptable around working hours.
* Strong team player.
Qualifications/Experience
* Strong understanding of marketing and business development processes.
* A team player with the ability to create a positive impact with colleagues, peers, partners and clients and to demonstrate diplomacy, listening and influencing skills.
* Proactive rather than reactive in approach, with a ‘can-do’ attitude.
* Demonstrating enthusiasm, confronting and overcoming obstacles to make progress.
* Applies broad knowledge to analyse problems, suggest solutions and where appropriate, implement them.
* Demonstrating consistent excellent service delivery to internal clients.
* Effective project management skills including the ability to plan ahead and prioritise conflicting demands to meet deadlines for the team.
* Demonstrating an understanding of the firm's business and marketplace.
* Working effectively under pressure.
* Demonstrating a keen interest in self-development and showing initiative.
* Sound proofreading and copywriting skills.
* Good knowledge of Excel.
* Knowledge of CRM or data management systems and their functionality.
* Desktop publishing experience would be useful, such as InDesign, but not essential.