At a Glance
- Tasks: Create compelling proposals and coordinate with teams to win new business.
- Company: Join a dynamic commercial team in a leading global payroll services company.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Work in a fast-paced environment with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by crafting winning proposals that attract clients.
- Qualifications: Experience in bids or proposals, strong communication skills, and attention to detail.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
Bid and Proposals Specialist
Department
Sales
Employment Type
Permanent
Location
United Kingdom
Reporting To
- Commercial Lead
- Description
- We’re looking for a
Bid & Proposals Specialist to join our Commercial team and help us create clear, compelling and commercially competitive proposals for clients across our global payroll and managed services business.
This is a great opportunity for someone with experience in bids, proposals, tenders or commercial writing who wants to take the next step in their career and have a real impact on how we win new business.
You’ll work closely with Sales, Commercial, Finance, Operations, IT, Implementation and subject matter experts to bring together the information needed to create high-quality responses to RFPs, RFIs, tenders and other formal procurement opportunities.
You’ll be the person who brings structure to the process, makes sure the right people provide the right information at the right time, and turns complex information into proposals that are easy for the customer to understand — and compelling enough to make them choose us.
On a typical day, you'll...
- Coordinate assigned RFPs, RFIs, tenders and proposal opportunities from initial review through to submission.
- Work closely with Sales and the wider commercial team to understand the opportunity, client requirements and key messages.
- Review tender documentation and identify important requirements, deadlines, evaluation criteria, clarification questions and submission instructions.
- Create and manage bid plans, timelines, actions and responsibilities, keeping stakeholders on track throughout the process.
- Coordinate contributions from teams including Sales, Finance, Operations, IT, Implementation, Service Delivery and subject matter experts.
- Draft, edit and tailor proposal responses so they are clear, concise, persuasive and focused on the customer.
- Help develop win themes, value propositions and differentiators that demonstrate why our solution is the right fit for the client.
- Translate complex information about global payroll, technology, implementation, integrations and service delivery into straightforward customer-facing content.
- Support the preparation of pricing schedules, commercial information and assumptions, working with the relevant teams to ensure information is accurate and complete.
- Help identify potential gaps, risks, inconsistencies or assumptions and make sure these are raised with the appropriate stakeholders.
- Manage clarification questions, attachments, document versions, review cycles and submission requirements.
- Carry out detailed quality and compliance checks before proposals are submitted.
- Support post-submission clarifications and contribute to lessons learned to help improve future bids.
- Build and maintain our library of approved proposal content, case studies, credentials and reusable answers.
- Help improve our bid processes, templates and ways of working.
- Use AI and automation tools to make proposal development, research, content creation and quality checking more efficient.
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
You don’t need to know everything about global payroll or managed services from day one.
What matters most is that you’re organised, commercially curious, a strong communicator and someone who takes pride in producing great work.
You’ll ideally have
- Experience in a bid, proposals, tender, sales support, commercial or similar role.
- Strong written English and the ability to turn detailed or technical information into clear and engaging content.
- Excellent organisation skills and the ability to manage multiple deadlines and contributors at the same time.
- Strong attention to detail, particularly when working with formal requirements, documents and submission deadlines.
- Confidence working with different stakeholders and following up to make sure you get the information you need.
- A good understanding of commercial concepts such as pricing, scope, assumptions and risk, with the ability to spot when something doesn’t look right.
- An interest in understanding the customer and creating responses that focus on their needs rather than simply copying standard content.
- A proactive approach and the confidence to ask questions, challenge gaps and suggest improvements.
- The ability to work well in a fast-paced environment where priorities can change.
- Good Microsoft Office skills, particularly Word, Excel and Power Point.
- Experience with Salesforce or another CRM system would be useful.
- An interest in AI and new technology, and a willingness to explore how it can improve the way we create and manage proposals.
- Hybrid Working
Our team is based primarily at our Aberdeen HQ where we work 1-2 days per week in the office.
We are also open to candidates who are based elsewhere in the UK and would be interested in this role on a remote basis, with occasional travel to Aberdeen.
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Bid and Proposals Specialist employer: activpayroll Ltd.
At activpayroll, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. With offices in both Aberdeen and Edinburgh, we embrace hybrid working, providing flexibility to our employees while ensuring they have access to comprehensive training and growth opportunities within the payroll sector. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team that values your contributions and supports your professional journey in delivering top-notch payroll solutions to our diverse clientele.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Bid and Proposals Specialist
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Bid and Proposals Specialist at activpayroll Ltd.!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like activpayroll Ltd. or be willing to refer you for that Bid and Proposals Specialist position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from activpayroll Ltd. who’s on the lookout for their next Bid and Proposals Specialist star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Bid and Proposals Specialist role at activpayroll Ltd.!
We think you need these skills to ace Bid and Proposals Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at activpayroll Ltd.. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at activpayroll Ltd.
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at activpayroll Ltd.. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!