At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage high-stakes bids for central government contracts in defence.
- Company: Dynamic company focused on public sector and defence projects.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus potential, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping bid strategies and influencing outcomes.
- Qualifications: Experience in public sector bidding and strong stakeholder engagement skills.
- Other info: High visibility with leadership and genuine ownership of the bid process.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 80000 £ per year.
Location: Office-based 3 days per week (Warrington / Daresbury)
Contract: Permanent or Contract
Salary: £70,000–£80,000 + bonus
Reports to: Chief Sales Officer
Security Clearance: SC required
The role
We’re hiring a highly confident, commercially switched-on Bid Manager to lead a business-critical central government contract defence and help elevate our wider public-sector bid capability. This is a hands-on, high-ownership role. You’ll take full control of bids end-to-end, shaping strategy, driving momentum, challenging assumptions, and ensuring submissions are compelling, compliant, and competitive.
Initially, you’ll be deep in delivery. Over time, you’ll help professionalise and scale the bid function, improving processes, strengthening content, and setting a clear standard for how government RFx responses are run. You’ll work closely with senior stakeholders, including the Chief Sales Officer, VP of Enterprise Accounts, The CEO and central government customers, so confidence, clarity, and gravitas really matter here.
What we’re looking for:
- This role suits someone with a driver mentality, confident, decisive, and comfortable taking the lead, but with an amiable, collaborative style that brings people with them.
- You’ll need to be:
- Highly confident engaging senior internal and external stakeholders
- Comfortable pushing pace, setting direction, and owning outcomes
- Calm under pressure, structured in approach, and persuasive in writing
- Commercially aware, understanding what wins, not just what complies
Key responsibilities
- Own the full bid lifecycle; qualification, win strategy, content creation, submission, and post-bid review
- Lead complex central government and defence bids, including high-value contract defences
- Drive bid strategy and narrative, not just coordination
- Manage inputs from sales, delivery, technical, and leadership teams
- Ensure submissions are fully compliant, compelling, and on time
- Improve bid processes, templates, and content libraries over time
- Act as a confident point of contact with senior stakeholders and clients
Experience & background
- Proven delivery of complex public-sector or defence bids, ideally £1m+
- Strong working knowledge of UK procurement frameworks (CCS, G-Cloud, DOS, MOD, etc.)
- Experience operating in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments
- SC clearance held
Why this role
- Salary uplift to reflect seniority and responsibility
- High visibility with senior leadership
- Genuine ownership and influence over how bids are done
- A role where confidence, judgement, and drive are valued, not micromanaged
Locations
Senior Bid Manager (SC Cleared) in Cheshire, Warrington employer: Brilliantin Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Brilliantin Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Bid Manager (SC Cleared) in Cheshire, Warrington
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy to reach out on LinkedIn. The more people know you, the better your chances of landing that Senior Bid Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its recent bids. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their work. Bring your A-game and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You need to convey your confidence and clarity when discussing your past successes in bid management. Role-play with a friend or record yourself to refine your delivery and ensure you come across as the strong leader they’re looking for.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Bid Manager (SC Cleared) in Cheshire, Warrington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Confidence: When writing your application, let your confidence shine through! Use clear and assertive language to demonstrate that you’re the right fit for leading complex bids. Remember, we want to see your personality and how you can engage with senior stakeholders.
Tailor Your Content: Make sure to tailor your application specifically to the role of Senior Bid Manager. Highlight your experience with UK public sector or defence bidding and any frameworks you’ve worked with. We love seeing how your background aligns with what we’re looking for!
Be Compelling and Compliant: Your written application should be both compelling and compliant. Structure your responses clearly, ensuring they meet all requirements while also showcasing your unique approach to bid strategy. We’re looking for someone who can balance these two aspects effectively.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and keen to join our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Brilliantin Recruitment
✨Know Your Bids Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the bid lifecycle and the specific frameworks mentioned in the job description. Be ready to discuss your past experiences with public sector bids, especially those over £1m, and how you’ve successfully navigated complex submissions.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Engagement Skills
This role requires engaging with senior stakeholders, so prepare examples that highlight your ability to communicate effectively and build relationships. Think of situations where you’ve influenced decision-making or driven collaboration among diverse teams.
✨Demonstrate Your Commercial Awareness
Be prepared to discuss what makes a bid compelling and competitive. Research the company’s recent bids and be ready to share insights on how you would approach their strategy. This shows you’re not just compliant but also commercially savvy.
✨Stay Calm and Structured Under Pressure
Given the fast-paced nature of this role, practice articulating how you manage stress and maintain structure during tight deadlines. Share specific strategies you use to keep projects on track and ensure compliance while still delivering high-quality submissions.