Bid Manager

Job title: Bid Manager

Reporting to: Group Head of Graduation Services

Role Purpose: Acting as the in-house authority on procurement activities across the group, the Bid Manager will take ownership of the entire end-to-end process, working closely with Senior Leadership to continually refine the Group offering.

The role will primarily support three companies within the Group to ensure effective submissions for the services relating to Gown Hire, Photography and Videography services at Graduations. 

Key responsibilities:

·Manage end-to-end bid lifecycle, from opportunity identification through to final submission and contract handover, applying best bid management methodologies.

·Prepare (write) clear submission responses demonstrating value propositions aligned to bid evaluation criteria.

·Communicate directly with procurement teams in relation to both pre-market engagement, and clarifications during and after tenders.

·Ensure submissions are accurate, compliant and compelling.

·Co-ordinate multi‑lot responses from across Group companies and support Senior Leadership with balancing differing company priorities.

·Supporting the development of pricing and commercial strategies in collaboration with senior leadership team.

·Coach and support delivery team(s) with bid presentations if required.

·Lead formal post-bid reviews and provide clear, actionable recommendations to internal stakeholders.

·Continually develop and maintain suitable bid templates, tools and content library. Using content to support RfPs and/or B2B marketing where necessary.

·Manage access to, track and keep information up to date on the sector tender portals and compliance trackers.

·Monitor and recommend third party software solutions which can improve the Groups responses to tenders.

Key requirements:

·Higher Education sector experience.

·Exceptional written communication skills, with evidence of creating compelling, client-focused proposals.

·Project Management ability, particularly operating effectively in a fast‑paced, high‑volume bid environment with short timelines.

·Working knowledge of SharePoint and incorporating feedback from multiple sources.

·Good documentation management and generally well organised to keep numerous external and internal information up to date.

·Ability to liaise with designers to generate effective infographics.  

Other information:

This role can support hybrid working, but it is preferred that the candidate is able to regularly visit the core of the business in Waterbeach (Cambridgeshire) frequently to build internal relationships and knowledge. It will be expected on site days at Waterbeach will be for entire working days (9am – 5.15pm). Requirements to be on site will change regularly based on live tender requirements.

Some additional travel to other sites will be required from time to time.