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- Tasks: Lead the bid process for exciting civils projects across the South West.
- Company: Join a Tier 1 civil engineering contractor with a strong project pipeline.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on major infrastructure projects from the ground up.
- Qualifications: Experience in bid management or pre-construction within the construction sector.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with excellent career progression opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
A Tier 1 civil engineering contractor is looking to appoint an experienced Bid Manager / Pre-Construction Manager to lead the full pre-construction lifecycle across the South West. With a strong and growing pipeline of infrastructure and highways schemes, this role plays a critical part in securing and successfully mobilising new work.
Projects typically range up to £15m in value and span highways, infrastructure, and wider civils delivery.
The Role
You will take ownership of the regional tender pipeline, leading activity from early engagement through live tenders and post-award handover. Working closely with estimating, commercial, delivery, and supply chain teams, you will ensure bids are strategically aligned, well governed, and positioned for success.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading and managing the tender pipeline across the South West
- Aligning bid strategy with business objectives and available resources
- Overseeing bid content including CVs, case studies, social value and ESG submissions
- Managing governance, approvals, and internal sign-off processes
- Supporting subcontractor engagement and tender analysis
- Capturing and sharing client feedback to support continuous improvement
- Leading post-award meetings and early client engagement
- Ensuring smooth handovers into delivery and contributing to early-stage planning
About You
You will bring strong experience from the front end of construction projects and be comfortable operating in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Key requirements include:
- Proven experience in bid management, pre-construction, or estimating within construction, ideally civils or highways
- Strong client-facing and stakeholder management skills
- A commercial mindset with the ability to manage competing priorities
- Confidence working with CRM systems and structured governance frameworks
- Full UK driving licence
- Experience contributing to or leading business improvement or transformation initiatives
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys influencing projects at the earliest stages and wants to play a key role in shaping how major civils schemes are secured and delivered. If you are strategic, commercially minded, and enjoy building strong client relationships, this role offers genuine impact and progression.
Locations
Bid Manager in Construction in Devon, Exeter employer: Confidential Jobs
Contact Detail:
Confidential Jobs Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Bid Manager in Construction in Devon, Exeter
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals at events or online. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their work and how you can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in bid management and pre-construction. Confidence is key, so rehearse until it feels natural.
✨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 are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Bid Manager in Construction in Devon, Exeter
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Bid Manager role. Highlight your experience in bid management and pre-construction, especially in civils or highways. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your past successes in managing bids and engaging with clients.
Showcase Your Teamwork Skills: Since this role involves working closely with various teams, make sure to highlight your collaboration skills. We love seeing how you’ve successfully worked with estimating, commercial, and delivery teams in the past.
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 this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Confidential Jobs
✨Know Your Bid Management Basics
Make sure you brush up on your bid management principles and processes. Understand the full pre-construction lifecycle, especially how it relates to civils projects. Being able to discuss specific examples from your experience will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but have practical knowledge too.
✨Align with Their Objectives
Before the interview, research the company’s recent projects and their strategic goals. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their objectives, particularly in managing tender pipelines and ensuring bids are strategically positioned for success. This shows you’re proactive and genuinely interested in contributing to their success.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills
Prepare to talk about your client-facing and stakeholder management experiences. Think of specific instances where you successfully engaged with clients or managed competing priorities. This is crucial for a role that requires strong communication and relationship-building skills.
✨Demonstrate Continuous Improvement Mindset
Be ready to discuss any business improvement initiatives you've led or contributed to. Highlight how you’ve captured client feedback and used it to enhance processes. This will demonstrate your commitment to continuous improvement, which is key in a fast-paced environment like construction.