Bids Manager

The Bids Manager is responsible for managing bids activity in a nominated sector(s). They play a key role in helping to achieve our growth plans by managing the bids pipeline, providing guidance on win strategy, producing bids documents and coaching presentation teams. They also play a key role in the continuous improvement of our bids process.

Key Responsibilities

• Probing and challenging the tender invitation, working with the Sector Teams and partners to assess and anticipate client needs, providing practical guidance on how the bids will be scored and what further information we need to discover.
• Using project management techniques to ensure a well-planned, organised and controlled process, driving the bids forward making things happen through personal commitment.
• Helping formulate the best win strategy for each bid, including consideration of optimum commercial strategies.
• Clearly articulating the reasons for adopting the proposed strategies.
• Managing bids strategy meetings confidently, inspiring enthusiasm and support for the bids.
• Working with lawyers, finance and any other experts (in person and virtually) to formulate models for an attractive and profitable offer that meets the prospect's needs and backs up our agreed strategy for the bids.
• Creating a comprehensive first draft document that sets out the agreed strategy and offer clearly articulated responses aligned to the tender scoring criteria.
• Ensuring the bid document is compelling, well-written, attractive and accurate.
• Coaching and guiding lawyers (in person and virtually) on effective presentation techniques, both through ad hoc workshops and specific pitch rehearsals as part of the bids process, delivering feedback on performance.
• Ensuring client debriefs are undertaken on all bids, either personally or through our Client Listening Team, and that all messages are fed back to relevant parties.
• Working with the Brand and Content Team and Bids Co-ordinator to ensure that all sector material is effective and up to date.
• Demonstrating effective compliance with the firm's bids process.
• Working with Sector Teams, Client Listening Team and Client Engagement Team to manage the bids pipeline, maximising the chances of success when the bids invitation arrives.
• Maintain a high level understanding of key developments in your bids sector.
• Handle confidential information in line with the firms data security protocols.
• Working with the firm’s Office of the General Counsel to identify possible risks to the business/comply with internal risk management and conflict checking procedures.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Significant in-depth experience of managing bids or equivalent sales processes, ideally within professional services environment.
• Strong strategic and commercial awareness required, coupled with industry and competitor knowledge, enabling them to develop winning strategies, viable/profitable offers and creative pricing ideas.
• Proven ability to influence, challenge and coach senior stakeholders.
• Ability to understand sales theory and best practice, and have proven experience of applying that to successfully defend/win clients.
• Experience of using project management techniques and be able to create and manage complex project plans, with the determination and pace to make things happen.
• Proven experience of implementing best practice and initiatives for continuous improvement.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to influence others.
• Strong writing, proofreading and editing skills and the ability to adapt style to different audiences and channels.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of pitch presentation skills and best practice and experience of successfully coaching and guiding others.
• Degree educated or equivalent experience required.
• Strong numeracy and ability to analyse and manipulate spreadsheets.
• Strong thirst for technical knowledge and application of knowledge to generate ideas.