At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage the full bid lifecycle and develop winning proposals for new business opportunities.
- Company: Join Arriva Road Transport Services, a leader in passenger transport across Europe.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, free travel, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional development and career progression in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of transport while making a real impact in a growing team.
- Qualifications: Experience in bid management, strong writing skills, and commercial awareness required.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
Bid Manager Location: Derby (Hybrid Working) Contract: Permanent Company: Arriva Road Transport Services (ARTS)
Who We Are Are you a talented bid professional looking for your next challenge?
Do you have the commercial awareness, writing skills and drive to help win new business and support ambitious growth plans?
If you're looking for a role where your contributions are valued, your ideas make a real impact and you're part of a growing and collaborative team, we'd love to hear from you.
At Arriva Road Transport Services (ARTS), we exist to prove that alternative transport can be better than the journey it replaces.
Every year, we deliver over 80,000 rail replacement journeys, facilitate more than 20,000 train crew taxi journeys, and provide dedicated frontline support to customers across the UK.
As we continue to grow, we're expanding into new markets and seeking a Bid Manager to play a key role in securing new business opportunities and helping shape the future of our organisation.
The Opportunity Reporting to the Head of Commercial Bids, you'll take ownership of bid opportunities from qualification through to submission, working closely with operational, finance and commercial stakeholders to develop winning solutions and compelling proposals.
This is a hands‑on role for an experienced Bid Manager who enjoys developing bid content, designing commercially viable solutions and managing multiple opportunities within a fast‑paced environment.
You'll also support the development of a Commercial Bids Executive and contribute to the continued growth of the ARTS business.
- What You'll Be Doing
- Bid & Proposal Management
- Manage the full bid lifecycle from qualified opportunity through to submission and contract award
- Develop persuasive, high-quality bid responses tailored to customer requirements
- Coordinate contributions from Operations, Finance, Legal and HR teams
- Manage bid plans, timelines and governance processes to ensure successful submissions
- Maintain and continuously improve bid content libraries, case studies and supporting documentation
- Solution Design & Commercial Development
- Translate customer requirements into practical, deliverable transport solutions
- Work with operational teams to develop costed and commercially viable proposals
- Support pricing development and commercial modelling activities
- Identify risks, assumptions and opportunities within proposed solutions
- Engage with suppliers and supply chain partners to support bid development
- Pipeline & Opportunity Management
- Manage multiple live opportunities across a varied pipeline
- Support bid/no-bid decisions through commercial and strategic assessment
- Maintain CRM records and provide regular pipeline updates
- Manage tender portals, clarification questions and submission requirements
- Work closely with the Commercial Bids Executive to ensure seamless opportunity handover and progression
- Client & Stakeholder Engagement
- Represent ARTS during client meetings, presentations and clarification discussions
- Build positive relationships with procurement teams and key stakeholders
- Support the transition of successful bids into operational mobilisation
- Ensure contractual commitments and commercial assumptions are effectively handed over to delivery teams
What We're Looking For
- Proven experience managing the full bid lifecycle from opportunity through to award
- Strong bid writing and proposal development skills
- Experience working within formal tender and procurement environments
- Commercial awareness and experience supporting pricing or commercial modelling activities
- Excellent project management and organisational skills
- The ability to manage multiple concurrent bids and deadlines
- Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills
- Experience mentoring or supporting junior colleagues
- Strong Microsoft Office and CRM system skills
- Experience within transport, rail, logistics, infrastructure or managed services environments would be advantageous.
- APMP qualifications and experience using e Tendering platforms would also be desirable.
- Why Join Arriva
At ARTS, you'll join an ambitious and growing business where you'll play a direct role in shaping our future success. We offer:
- Competitive salary
- Hybrid working
- Free travel on Arriva branded rail services across the country
- Arriva Village employee discounts
- Employee Assistance Programme with 24-hour confidential support
- Opportunities for professional development and career progression
Arriva is a leading provider of passenger transport across Europe, employing around 34,400 people and delivering around 1.6 billion passenger journeys.
With buses, trains, coaches, trams, waterbuses, bike-sharing systems, on-demand transport solutions and a rolling stock leasing company, Arriva proudly connects people and communities safely, reliably and sustainably across 11 countries, delivering these services in a better way, every day.
The activities of Arriva are divided into four business units: UK Bus, UK Trains, The Netherlands and Mainland Europe.
Arriva has passenger transport operations in the Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom, and also operates a rolling stock leasing company in Romania.
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Bid Manager employer: Arriva TrainCare
Arriva TrainCare is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic and collaborative work environment at our Bristol Barton Hill depot. With a strong commitment to employee development, we provide ample opportunities for growth in project management while ensuring a supportive culture that values your contributions. Our comprehensive benefits package, including generous annual leave and a company pension, reflects our dedication to the well-being of our team members, making it a rewarding place to build your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Bid Manager
✨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 Manager at Arriva TrainCare!
✨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 Arriva TrainCare or be willing to refer you for that Bid Manager 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 Arriva TrainCare who’s on the lookout for their next Bid Manager 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 Manager role at Arriva TrainCare!
We think you need these skills to ace Bid Manager
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 Arriva TrainCare. 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 Arriva TrainCare
✨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 Arriva TrainCare. 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!
