Bid Manager

Location: This role can be based from any of our Capsticks offices on a hybrid basis - Birmingham, Exeter, Leeds, London, Manchester or Winchester. Please note this role is a 12 month fixed term contract covering maternity leave.

Why join our team? This is a great opportunity to work for a growing Top 100 law firm that prides itself on being able to offer top quality work, excellent career prospects and a healthy work life balance in a supportive working environment. The bids team work very well together and are motivated and supportive. We enjoy an excellent reputation across the firm. You will have frequent exposure to the most senior people in the firm, giving you an opportunity to build your profile. The partners and fee earners who you will work with are committed to winning business, collaborative and friendly. Excellent work on bids is highly valued in our business.

The Team: Under the leadership of the Director of Business Development and Marketing, the department provides a broad range of support to the wider firm across Sales and Marketing, comprising 18 members in total. The Bids team comprise 4 people, plus additional flexible support from the other members of the team when required.

The Role: This role will suit an experienced senior bids professional who thrives on a busy bids environment, often working under pressure to produce high quality bid documents and pitches within tight timescales. The Bids Manager will work closely with Capsticks partners and other colleagues to deliver high quality bids and presentations. They will also take responsibility for keeping our libraries, systems and processes up to date so that the bid function runs smoothly.

• Holding kick off meetings and pursuing content for bids.
• Project managing a wide range of bids.
• Working closely with partners to develop winning strategies and propositions.
• Drafting, synthesizing, editing and proof-reading compelling content, including technical content, reflecting agreed messages.
• Preparing CVs and team sheets.
• Setting up presentation rehearsals.
• Guiding presentation teams.
• Developing presentation support material.
• Conducting win/loss reviews and identifying themes and addressing appropriately.
• Gathering best practice and case studies.
• Managing and maintaining the team’s tender library and resources.
• Liaising with other support functions within Capsticks to ensure standard documentation and policies are up-to-date and fit for purpose, e.g. the firm’s environmental policy.
• Ensuring the Capsticks bids best practice is followed throughout the process.
• Championing the use of One Place CRM system for opportunity management.
• Any other duties as reasonably requested by either the Head of Bids or the BD&M Director, such as providing support on a wide range of projects and contributing to the general smooth running of the business.

Candidate Specification: The Bid Manager has responsibility to ensure that their skills set are up to date and that they are familiar with the firm’s legal work, internal systems and procedures. This will ensure that they are able to carry out their role effectively and to the best of their ability. Candidates should ideally:

• Have over 5 years’ relevant bids management experience and be used to managing their own portfolio of bids.
• Be able to draft and synthesize content, not just project–manage bids.
• Have a sound understanding of the complexities of bid management.
• Be commercially aware.
• Be able to build relationships at all levels quickly.
• Be able to coach and influence at partner level.
• Be able to analyse issues and identify creative solutions.
• Have strong project management skills.
• Be technically proficient in Microsoft Office Suite applications.
• Have excellent verbal, presentation and written communication skills.
• Be able to work calmly under pressure, to juggle multiple deadlines and to manage the expectations of demanding internal clients.
• Have excellent attention to detail, with a methodical and logical approach.
• Be a team player who is able to manage, motivate and work alongside others.
• Be able and willing to familiarise themselves with our sectors and services.
• Have an excellent command of the English language.
• Be flexible, committed and good‑humoured.
• Be able to work with figures and explain scoring mechanisms.
• Be prepared to undertake some limited travel between offices.
• Have experience in the design of bids (ideal but not essential).
• Have experience in Public Sector bidding (ideal but not essential).

Candidates will also be expected to demonstrate that they are:

• Self‑motivated and proactive.
• Able to work without direct supervision.
• Focused on the delivery of a first class service.
• Flexible when it comes to meeting deadlines.
• A team player who is able to work alongside others.

This list is not exhaustive and there may be other duties as reasonably required. Candidates will be expected to be able to demonstrate at interview that they are self‑motivated and commercially minded, as well as having good interpersonal skills and being able to work effectively in teams.

Capsticks is an inclusive employer. At Capsticks we value diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive working environment where everyone is able to be themselves and reach their full potential. Capsticks is committed to providing equal opportunities for all and therefore we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of your education, background, culture, ethnicity, race, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, neurodiversity, religion and beliefs. We will make reasonable adjustments to our application and interview process to ensure that you have the best chance of success. We understand that there's not a 'one size fits all' approach to adjustments so our team will work with you individually to understand more about your requirements.