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For Companies 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 driving success.
- Qualifications: Experience in public sector bidding and strong stakeholder engagement skills.
- Other info: High visibility role with senior leadership and genuine ownership.
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
You’ll already have a strong background in UK public sector or defence bidding, with experience across frameworks such as CCS, BOS, G-Cloud, DOS, MOD/JSP.
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
Senior Bid Manager (SC Cleared) in Manchester 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 Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant online groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues or mentors. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its recent projects. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in what they do. Tailor your responses to highlight how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in public sector bidding.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You’ll want to convey your confidence and clarity when discussing your experience. Role-play with a friend or record yourself to refine your delivery. Remember, you’re not just selling your skills; you’re showcasing your personality too!
✨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 that extra step to engage with us directly. Let’s get you that Senior Bid Manager role!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Bid Manager (SC Cleared) in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Bid Manager role. Highlight your experience with public sector bids and any relevant frameworks like CCS or G-Cloud. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Showcase Your Confidence: In your written application, let your confidence shine through! Use clear and persuasive language to demonstrate your ability to engage with senior stakeholders. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can take the lead and drive results.
Be Compliant and Compelling: Ensure that your application is not only compliant with our requirements but also compelling. Use examples from your past experiences to illustrate how you’ve successfully managed bids and driven strategy. We love a good story!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and keep track of your application. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining 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’re well-versed in the specifics of the bid lifecycle. Brush up on your experience with UK public sector and defence bidding, especially frameworks like CCS and G-Cloud. Being able to discuss your past successes and how they relate to the role will show that you’re not just a fit, but the perfect fit.
✨Engage with Confidence
This role requires a confident approach, especially when dealing with senior stakeholders. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and assertively. Use examples from your previous roles where you’ve led bids or influenced outcomes to demonstrate your capability and gravitas.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
Prepare to discuss how you shape bid strategies and drive momentum. Think about specific instances where you’ve challenged assumptions or improved processes. This will highlight your ability to not only manage bids but also elevate the overall bid function.
✨Be Ready for Pressure
Given the fast-paced nature of this role, be prepared to discuss how you handle pressure and tight deadlines. Share examples of how you’ve maintained composure and delivered compelling submissions on time, showcasing your structured approach and persuasive writing skills.
