2. Role Description

We are looking for a Bid Manager for a 12month FTC to be responsible for the management and production of high quality, competitive bid responses, through all stages of the end-to-end bid lifecycle (opportunity qualification to closure). A Bid Manager supports the opportunity qualification, derives and executes the bid and assurance plan, and coordinates the creation of submission content. A Bid Manager also provides coaching in bidding to the wider business, to facilitate a greater level of understanding of how to bid effectively.

Whilst we are operating on a hybrid working arrangement there will be a requirement to attend the office base in Guildford at least 1 day per week in line with business needs

3. Common Role Accountabilities

A Bid Manager implements (and where appropriate defines) the bid strategy, manages the development of a quality and coherent proposal, and coordinates the agreed governance process including the production of the associated internal bid deliverables. Working as part of the core opportunity team, the Bid Manager drives consistency and integration through the bid response. 

These responsibilities are fulfilled through the application and management of appropriate resources, processes and technology, within the agreed parameters of time, cost and quality / scope. The role holder will be expected to suggest, own and deliver process improvements over the duration of the assignment.

Common activities undertaken by a Bid Manager at any grade are:

• Establish bidding environment, including Project Share
• Creation and ownership of Bid Schedule / Bid Plan; management of bid team activities and actions
• Manage the bid process; tracking progress, setting up reviews, providing background material to reviewers, etc.
• Ensure that effective governance (i.e. Assurance Framework and other review mechanisms) and mandated reporting policies are adhered to, as well as other best practice (colour) reviews utilised as required.
• Derive bid budget; monitor costs, timescales and resources used, and take action where these deviate from agreed budget or agreed task contingency.
• Editing and formatting of the customer proposal or formal response, including providing the response structure
• Schedule/organise key bid reviews to ensure quality and compliance, together with consistency across the bid and associated materials
• Where appropriate, support activities relating to cost modelling
• Close down of the “project” at the end of a bid, including personal performance reviews, project lessons learned and harvesting of reusable collateral (i.e. improved propositions, updated processes, reusable modules).
• Identify, assesses and manage risks to the success of the bid and take action with appropriate management support.
• Hold and run Shipley based “Colour” reviews

Bid Manager

Expected to fulfil the common role accountabilities for bids up to High Assurance Level, and up to the Complicated level of complexity. In addition, they can provide support to a Senior Bid Manager on higher complexity deals, as well as supporting the bid function in its day-to-day operations. The Bid Manager will be expected to have a good understanding of the buying processes within the relevant Client Groups, and how we use Frameworks and other buying mechanisms to sell our services.

In addition, they are expected to perform the following as appropriate to the bid:

• Lead all aspects of the planning and execution of the overall bid development effort, from qualification through to contract agreement
• Define/tailor and implement a suitable bid process to fit the opportunity, integrating the identified bid workstreams with the proposal development activities  
• Managing and directing all bid document efforts and personnel, and where appropriate taking on these roles or providing guidance/support
• Assist in analysing the Customer’s RFP against the bid outline to ensure both compliance and responsiveness to customer’s needs, and fit with our corporate and opportunity strategies
• In coordination with the Account Manager and Capture Manager, select reviewers and schedule/organise key bid reviews to ensure quality and compliance, together with consistency across the bid and associated materials 
• Take ownership of the customer proposal / formal response, managing the structure, ensuring relevant inputs are received, and owning the editing and formatting of the final content, as well as facilitating and participating in formal content reviews i.e. Red Teams.
• Coach other bid managers in bid management techniques.