IT Bid Solutions Specialist in West London

Reports to: Bid Solutions Lead

Location: UK (Hybrid set up with travel across the UK as and when required)

Position Summary

As reform of the UK local bus market gathers momentum, large scale franchise and B2B contracts are likely to form an increasing proportion of the First Bus business. To maximise our win rate for such contracts, our bid team will need to produce creative, efficient and compelling tender bids. Working as part of this team, this role will focus on designing IT solutions that provide confidence to potential clients that we clearly understand and can meet and exceed their requirements. These solutions will need to demonstrate that we have correctly understood the division of responsibility for system provision, can achieve smooth integration of client systems with First Bus systems where appropriate, and demonstrate industry-leading practices around data protection and cyber security.

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Devise solutions that meet and exceed client requirements, including in areas such as (but not limited to) IT architecture, system integration, data protection and cybersecurity.
• Identify associated resource requirements, calculate opex and capex requirements and ensure clear and timely communication to Finance colleagues for costing purposes.
• Identify and engage with identified specialists and system champions for relevant existing First Bus systems to ensure their effective and timely contribution to solution design.
• Clearly and concisely summarise proposed solutions, both verbally and in writing, to enable preparation of written technical submissions.
• Provide critical analysis of draft bid submissions to ensure they effectively describe our solutions, finding an appropriate balance between technical language and plain English, to ensure we maximise technical quality scores.
• For identified potential future opportunities, analyse and process available data to build a picture of likely client expectations (e.g. SWOT analysis, current processes and structures, identified historic issues etc).
• Model and test potential solutions that can drive performance at specified thresholds, and identify the varying associated resource implications.
• Keep abreast of evolving industry-wide best practice in system design, data management and cybersecurity, providing reports and recommendations internally to ensure the wider bid team is fully aware of risks and opportunities.
• Form a strong relationship with colleagues in mainstream First Bus IT team, ensuring the regular exchange of performance data and case studies to enrich bid submissions and support the acquisition and maintenance of relevant accreditations.

Skills / Experience

Essentials

• Experienced IT professional with proven experience in complex multi-agency implementation.
• Broad subject matter expertise, along with a recognition of when to call on subject specialists.
• Ability to quickly develop a good understanding of systems currently in use across First Bus, with understanding of their strengths and weaknesses.
• Excellent understanding of data processing risks, opportunities and best practice.
• Excellent understanding of cybersecurity risks, opportunities and best practice.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues across departmental boundaries.
• Ability to stay calm and focussed under pressure, especially approaching deadlines.
• Presentational skills to concisely summarise and articulate complex solutions.

Desirables

• Ability to quickly and accurately digest large, complex tender documents.
• Structured, methodical approach to ensure compliance with detailed technical requirements.
• Analytical skills to be able to process and blend data from multiple sources, determine trends and identify key findings.
• Ability to work in an open, positive and harmonious manner as part of a small team.

Benefits

• First Xclusives discount scheme: You and your family & friends can benefit from over 3,000 offers on high street & leisure brands.
• Free travel on our buses for you and your family.
• £6 all-day train travel for you and your family on Great Western Railway, South Western Railway, Avanti, Hull Trains.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• 25 days' holiday + bank holidays.
• Pension scheme and chance to buy discounted First Group shares.
• Flexible working.

We put a big focus on physical and mental wellbeing at First Bus. We recognise that anyone can be affected by the stresses and strain of work, or life outside it. You'll find a range of health-promotion initiatives, and you will have 24/7 access to our confidential Employee Assistance Programme.

Public transport serves everyone, whatever their differences. At First Bus, we want to be an employer open to you, no matter what your differences are. We aspire to be an inclusive organisation because diverse backgrounds, thinking and experiences bring so many benefits to our customers, communities and people. We welcome applications from all.

Applicants are advised that background checks will be conducted as a standard part of our recruitment process.