At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic growth and develop high-quality bids for a purpose-led organisation.
- Company: Join Cala Consulting, a dynamic and established organisation focused on impactful growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities to travel and grow your career.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by shaping growth strategies and winning bids that matter.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in business development or bid management with strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 53809 - 65767 £ per year.
Cala Consulting are recruiting for a commercially focused Strategy & Bid Development Lead to join an established, purpose-led organisation. This is an opportunity for an experienced bid and strategy professional who can turn insight, service evidence and complex stakeholder input into compelling, commercially sound growth propositions.
The Role
Reporting to the Director of Service Provision & Strategic Growth, you will shape and progress strategic growth opportunities while leading the development of high-quality bids, tenders and proposals. You will translate organisational priorities, service performance insight, customer need and clinical expertise into clear growth plans and persuasive submissions.
The role also owns the product and proposition portfolio across its full lifecycle, from opportunity identification and development through to launch, performance review, refinement and retirement. Working across multiple teams, you will ensure that every opportunity is evidence-based, operationally deliverable and aligned with the organisation's long-term direction, values and commercial objectives.
Key Responsibilities
- Identify, assess and progress strategic growth opportunities aligned with organisational priorities, capabilities and long-term direction.
- Translate market intelligence, customer insight, service performance data and clinical expertise into clear growth and development priorities.
- Develop robust business cases, opportunity assessments and strategic recommendations to support senior-level decision-making.
- Lead the full bid lifecycle, including opportunity qualification, bid planning, evidence gathering, drafting, review, approval and submission.
- Produce clear and compelling responses that demonstrate service quality, clinical standards, operational capability, outcomes and social value.
- Ensure all bids and proposals are accurate, compliant, evidence-based, commercially sound and delivered to agreed deadlines.
- Own and develop the product and proposition portfolio, ensuring it remains current, clearly positioned and responsive to customer and market needs.
- Coordinate input from clinical, service delivery, digital, finance and commercial stakeholders, establishing clear responsibilities, deadlines and decision points.
- Build and maintain a strong evidence base for bids and propositions, including service outcomes, performance data, quality information and case studies.
- Maintain a clear pipeline of opportunities, bids and proposition priorities, reporting on progress, risks, dependencies and outcomes.
- Lead post-bid reviews and develop reusable content, templates and bid assets to improve quality, consistency and efficiency.
- Drive continuous improvement across bid management, proposition development and strategic planning processes.
Essential Skills and Experience
- A third-level qualification and a minimum of three years' experience in business development, bid management, strategic planning, service development or a related field.
- Proven experience of procurement, tendering, bid management or commissioning processes within large organisations and/or public-sector environments.
- A strong track record of producing high-quality, compliant and evidence-based bids, tenders or proposals.
- Demonstrable experience of owning and delivering strategic growth initiatives aligned with organisational priorities, customer needs and long-term objectives.
- The ability to use performance data, market intelligence, customer insight and service evidence to shape proposals, recommendations and decisions.
- Exceptional written communication skills, with the ability to develop clear, persuasive and accurate content against customer requirements and evaluation criteria.
- Strong planning, organisation and project coordination skills, including the ability to manage contributors, risks, reviews and competing deadlines.
- Proven influencing and negotiation skills, with the credibility to build effective relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders.
- A collaborative, solutions-focused approach and the confidence to lead complex work across multiple functions.
- Flexibility to work in and travel to different locations across Ireland, together with a full current driving licence and access to a car with business insurance. Alternative travel arrangements will be considered for applicants with a disability who cannot hold a licence.
Desirable
- Experience of managing a product or service proposition through development, launch, performance review and refinement.
- Experience working with clinical, service delivery or other regulated operational teams.
- Experience developing business cases, proposition materials, bid libraries or reusable tender content.
Bid Lead in Antrim employer: Cala Consulting Limited
Cala Consulting is an excellent employer for Installation Engineers, offering a dynamic work environment where practical skills and customer focus are highly valued. With a commitment to employee growth, the company provides opportunities for professional development within the expanding ventilation sector, fostering a collaborative culture that encourages problem-solving and innovation. Located in a thriving area, employees benefit from a supportive team atmosphere and the chance to make a meaningful impact on customer satisfaction through high-quality installations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Bid Lead in Antrim
✨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 Lead at Cala Consulting Limited!
✨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 Cala Consulting Limited or be willing to refer you for that Bid Lead 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 Cala Consulting Limited who’s on the lookout for their next Bid Lead 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 Lead role at Cala Consulting Limited!
We think you need these skills to ace Bid Lead in Antrim
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 Cala Consulting Limited. 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 Cala Consulting Limited
✨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 Cala Consulting Limited. 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!
