At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage bids to secure new business and client appointments.
- Company: Join a dynamic firm focused on growth and innovation in the legal sector.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid work options, competitive salary, and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of business development, making a real impact with your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in bid management, strong communication skills, and familiarity with AI tools preferred.
- Other info: We value diversity and encourage all candidates to apply, even if they don't meet every requirement.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Manchester
Salary: £50k to £60k DOE
Full time: Permanent
Hybrid: 2 days per week in the office
We are seeking a dynamic professional to lead and manage pitches and related pursuits that drive new business and secure panel appointments with target clients. This strategic role sits at the heart of our client’s growth efforts, playing a key part in converting business development opportunities into successful outcomes. You’ll work closely with a dedicated operational team, with access to pitch infrastructure, BD Executive support, and document production resources to deliver high-quality, compelling submissions.
The Role:
- Lead the end-to-end delivery of major bids and tenders, collaborating with partners, BD, Client Development, and other business teams.
- Assess RFPs, support go/no-go decisions, and shape pitch strategies.
- Apply project management principles to ensure smooth coordination from RFP receipt to final submission.
- Build strong relationships with partners to align pitches with their goals and keep stakeholders updated throughout.
- Ensure compliance with risk management procedures and flag potential issues early.
- Maintain a solid understanding of the firm’s services to craft tailored, commercially driven content.
- Produce standout, client-focused pitch materials that clearly differentiate the firm from competitors.
- Coach lawyers for presentations and beauty parades, supporting content, delivery, and rehearsals.
- Track pitch activity and success rates, sharing insights with key client teams.
- Drive improvements in pitch processes and contribute to global best practice initiatives.
- Lead bid reviews to gather feedback and refine future approach.
Who we are looking for:
- Experience at Senior Bid Executive or Manager level.
- Highly organised with excellent communication skills and a calm, focused approach.
- Familiarity with AI tools for pitch creation (e.g. CoPilot or similar) is a strong plus.
- Extensive experience in a senior BD pitch role within a fast-paced professional services environment, ideally in the legal sector.
- Strong understanding of procurement-led panel processes, as well as transactional and project-based bidding.
- Skilled negotiator with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively with partners and senior stakeholders.
- Confident and diplomatic, with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build credibility quickly.
- Proactive and resilient, able to drive initiatives forward and motivate cross-functional teams.
- Commercially minded, with a clear grasp of the firm’s value proposition and how to deliver profitable outcomes.
- Self-starter with strong project management skills and the ability to lead teams to meet deadlines.
- Excellent copywriting skills and a solid understanding of brand and design principles in bid production, including working closely with design teams.
- Tech-savvy with proficiency in CRM systems (ideally InterAction), Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At We Are Adam, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles!
We are more than happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that you may require.
Interested? Please apply now. We look forward to hearing from you!
Bid Manager employer: We Are Adam
Contact Detail:
We Are Adam Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Bid Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in bid management, especially within the legal sector. Understanding the nuances of procurement-led panel processes can give you an edge when discussing your experience and insights during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the industry, particularly those who have experience as Bid Managers or in business development roles. Engaging with them can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals that could enhance your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your project management skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully led bids or tenders in the past. Be ready to discuss specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them, as this will demonstrate your capability to handle the responsibilities of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Brush up on your copywriting and design principles related to bid production. Being able to articulate how you can create standout pitch materials will be crucial, so consider preparing a portfolio of your previous work to share during the interview process.
We think you need these skills to ace Bid Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the key responsibilities and requirements of the Bid Manager position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with these specific needs.
Craft a Compelling CV: Ensure your CV showcases relevant experience in bid management, project management, and business development. Use clear headings and bullet points to make it easy to read, and quantify your achievements where possible.
Write a Tailored Cover Letter: Your cover letter should directly address the skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. Highlight your familiarity with AI tools for pitch creation and your understanding of procurement-led panel processes to stand out.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for a role that involves producing high-quality pitch materials.
How to prepare for a job interview at We Are Adam
✨Understand the Role Thoroughly
Before your interview, make sure you have a solid grasp of what a Bid Manager does. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities outlined in the job description, especially around leading bids and managing relationships with partners.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience with project management principles. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully coordinated bids from start to finish, ensuring smooth delivery and compliance with procedures.
✨Demonstrate Your Communication Skills
As a Bid Manager, excellent communication is key. During the interview, focus on how you've effectively communicated with stakeholders in the past, and be ready to share examples of how you've coached others for presentations.
✨Familiarise Yourself with AI Tools
Since familiarity with AI tools for pitch creation is a plus, do some research on relevant technologies like CoPilot. Be ready to discuss how you can leverage these tools to enhance pitch quality and efficiency.