Bids Manager in Gateshead

Competitive Salary

31 days Annual Leave (incl public holidays) + option to purchase more

Pension Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Private Medical Insurance

Cost Price Tutoring

Progression Opportunities

Casual Dress Code

Fun and Friendly Atmosphere

We are looking for an experienced Bids and Tenders Manager to identify suitable educational opportunities, across the public and private sector, and manage the full bid process from initial review through to submission and contract award. You will be responsible for ensuring we pursue the right opportunities and submit clear, accurate and commercially strong responses. This role will work closely with Finance, Operations, and senior leaders to gather the information and evidence needed for each submission.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor procurement portals and identify relevant tenders, frameworks and funding opportunities.
• Build and maintain relationships with local authorities, schools, commissioners and potential partners.
• Attend relevant networking, procurement and education events.
• Develop an understanding of potential clients' priorities and upcoming requirements.
• Review opportunities and make clear recommendations on whether they should be pursued.
• Manage the bid process, including deadlines, submission requirements and internal contributions.
• Write and coordinate high-quality tender responses.
• Gather supporting information and evidence from the relevant teams.
• Ensure submissions are accurate, compliant and completed on time.
• Work with Finance and Operations to develop pricing and delivery models.
• Maintain an up-to-date bid and opportunity pipeline and provide regular progress reports.
• Respond to clarification questions and support presentations or interviews where required.
• Review feedback and use it to improve future submissions.
• Support the mobilisation and handover of successful contracts.
• Help develop consistent bid processes, templates and supporting evidence as the commercial function grows.

Essential Experience

• Previous responsibility for managing bids or tenders.
• Strong written communication skills and the ability to answer questions clearly and persuasively.
• Experience building professional relationships with clients or external stakeholders.
• Confidence representing an organisation at meetings and networking events.
• Experience coordinating information from several teams.
• Excellent attention to detail and deadline management.
• Good commercial judgement, including the ability to decide which opportunities are worth pursuing.
• Confidence challenging incomplete or weak information.
• The ability to manage several opportunities at the same time.

Desirable Experience

• Experience bidding for public sector or local authority contracts.
• Experience of public sector procurement, including supplier frameworks, qualification questionnaires and formal tender submissions.
• Experience within education, tutoring, SEND or Alternative Provision.
• Experience using procurement portals and tender notification systems.
• Understanding of contract pricing and mobilisation.

What Success Looks Like

• A clear and well-managed pipeline of suitable opportunities.
• Strong relationships with potential clients, commissioners and partners.
• National Learning Group becoming better known within its target markets.
• Strong bid/no-bid decisions based on evidence and commercial value.
• Accurate and compelling submissions delivered on time.
• Improved bid quality and success rates.
• A clear handover of successful contracts into operational delivery.

This role would suit someone who can take ownership of the full process, bring structure to competing deadlines and turn information from across the business into strong, credible submissions.

Safeguarding Statement

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows safer recruitment practices and includes appropriate pre-employment checks, which may include obtaining references, verifying qualifications and identity, conducting a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where applicable, and assessing candidates' suitability to work with vulnerable groups. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates. Please only proceed with your application if you agree to us performing these checks.