At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage bid proposals, creating processes and tools for success.
- Company: Amber Labs, a fast-growing tech consultancy with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: 25 days leave, private medical insurance, remote work, and personal training budget.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and enjoy regular socials while making a real impact.
- Why this job: Be a pioneer in building a bid function and shape the future of the company.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing bids, strong communication skills, and project management expertise.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
- Head of Bids
- The Company
At Amber Labs, we are a cutting-edge UK and European technology consultancy that prioritises empowering autonomy, promoting experimentation, and facilitating rapid learning to provide exceptional value to our clients.
Our company culture is centred around collaboration, where all colleagues, regardless of their role, work together to minimise risk and shorten delivery times.
Your Role
Amber Labs is at an exciting stage of growth, and we are seeking our first Head of Bids to establish and lead our bid management capability.
This is a foundational role: you will not only manage live bids and proposals, but also design the governance, processes, and tools that will scale our ability to compete for complex consulting opportunities.
You will work cross-functionally with sales, consulting, operations, finance, and HR to embed a repeatable bid process, create the content infrastructure we need, and ensure our submissions are consistently compliant, compelling, and competitive.
This is a unique opportunity to build the bid function from the ground up in a fast-growing consultancy and directly impact our ability to win strategic public sector and enterprise contracts.
Responsibilities
- Build Bid Capability
- Design and implement a scalable bid management process, including governance, qualification criteria, and review stages.
- Develop standardised bid templates, response libraries, and tools to improve efficiency.
- Establish and maintain a bid content library (case studies, CVs, policies, boilerplate).
- Introduce best practices in bid planning, quality review (e. g. colour team reviews), and compliance checks.
- Manage Bids
- Lead the end-to-end management of proposals (RFI, RFP, ITT, framework submissions), from qualification through to submission.
- Drive cross-functional collaboration — coordinating input from sales, consulting SMEs, operations, finance, and HR.
- Ensure bids are client-focused, compliant, and delivered to deadline with persuasive storytelling.
- Governance & Continuous Improvement
- Run qualification (“Go/No-Go”) processes to focus resources on the most winnable opportunities.
- Monitor bid outcomes, track win/loss trends, and recommend improvements.
- Report regularly to leadership on pipeline bids, success rates, and lessons learned.
- Collaboration & Inf l uence
- Act as the central coordination point for bid activity across the business.
- Partner with sales leaders on pursuit strategies and with delivery leaders on credible solution design.
- Provide coaching and guidance to teams on bid best practice.
- Your Skills and Experience
- Proven experience managing bids/proposals in consulting, IT services, or professional services.
- Strong knowledge of UK public sector procurement (e. g. Crown Commercial Service frameworks, DOS, G-Cloud).
- Strong knowledge of bid and proposal management best practices (APMP standards or equivalent).
- Demonstrated ability to design and embed governance, processes, and tools for bids.
- Excellent writing, editing, and persuasive communication skills.
- Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple bids simultaneously.
- High attention to detail and compliance.
- Ability to influence and coordinate senior stakeholders across sales and delivery
What We Offer
- 25 days annual leave plus public holidays, so you can actually switch off
- Private medical insurance with Bupa
- Remote-first working with a base at Liverpool Street when you want it
- A personal training budget to invest in your growth, however that looks for you
- A very generous referral scheme
- Perkbox, giving you access to hundreds of perks and discounts across eating out, shopping, wellness, entertainment and more
- EV scheme after one year of service, supporting you in making the switch to electric
- Regular team socials with a group of people who genuinely enjoy working together
- And most importantly, the chance to be part of something from the ground up. Amber Labs is growing fast and the people joining now will shape what this business becomes
Head of Bids in Slough employer: Amber Labs
Amber Labs is an exceptional employer that champions a culture of collaboration and innovation, making it an ideal place for a Lead Software Developer to thrive. With a focus on personal growth, flexible working arrangements, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, employees are empowered to take ownership of their projects while benefiting from competitive salaries, performance bonuses, and comprehensive health coverage. The opportunity to work on high-impact government programmes in a supportive environment ensures that your contributions are both meaningful and rewarding.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Bids in Slough
✨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 Head of Bids at Amber Labs!
✨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 Amber Labs or be willing to refer you for that Head of Bids 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 Amber Labs who’s on the lookout for their next Head of Bids 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 Head of Bids role at Amber Labs!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Bids in Slough
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 Amber Labs. 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 Amber Labs
✨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 Amber Labs. 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!
