At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead bids and proposals, shaping strategies for impactful submissions.
- Company: Join GHD, a global leader in professional services tackling major challenges.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on innovation and sustainability.
- Why this job: Make a difference by securing projects that benefit communities and the environment.
- Qualifications: 6+ years in bid management, strong communication, and organisational skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Join a global professional services leader committed to solving the world’s biggest challenges across water, energy, transport, environment and the built environment. We are seeking an experienced, commercially aware Bids and Pursuits Leader to lead our bids and proposals team, lead bid strategy and the development of high-quality proposal submissions that support GHD’s continued growth in the UK. This is a pivotal role focused on end-to-end bid planning, pursuit support, and submission preparation across strategically important opportunities that help secure meaningful work for clients and communities alike.
We operate with a collaborative, multidisciplinary model that brings together technical excellence, advisory capability and deep sector understanding. In this role, you will work across complex pursuits, helping translate GHD’s expertise into clear, client-focused proposals that differentiate our offer, improve our win rate and support long-term market positioning.
What We Do
GHD is a multidisciplinary professional services business delivering advisory, digital, engineering, environmental and project delivery services across major infrastructure and community sectors. Our areas of expertise include water, energy and resources, transport, environment, sustainability and resilience, property and buildings, advisory, digital and asset management.
Our UK business works closely with global capability networks, allowing us to bring both local knowledge and international expertise to every opportunity. As we continue to grow this role will play an important part in helping us position for increasingly large, strategic and often complex pursuits.
Your responsibilities
- Team and Function Leadership: Lead and manage the Bids and Pursuits Team, line-managing a team of Subject Matter Experts and collaborating with Marketing and Communications team members to operationalise the Bids and Pursuits function, driving technology adoption, AI, and operational efficiency into a high paced team environment.
- Bid Leadership & Submission Management: Lead and manage the preparation of bids through the full lifecycle, from early-stage pursuit strategy and planning and positioning through to storyboarding, writing, review, submission and post-submission clarification stages. Develop submission plans, manage timelines, coordinate contributors and ensure high standards of compliance, consistency and quality throughout the process.
- Opportunity Shaping & Win Strategy: Contribute to pursuit strategy by supporting bid/no-bid decision making, shaping win themes and ensuring the business is positioned effectively for the right opportunities.
- Collaboration & Coordination: Collaborate closely with business group leads, market leads, regional leadership and technical specialists to bring together strong, client-focused submissions.
- Continuous Improvement & Best Practice: Promote bid best practice across the business by improving processes, supporting lessons learned and helping teams strengthen their overall work-winning capability.
What Success Looks Like
- First 3 months: Build a strong understanding of GHD’s sectors, service lines, governance processes and priority pursuits. Establish relationships with business group leads, market leaders, regional stakeholders and technical teams.
- 3–6 months: Begin the operationalisation of the Bids and Pursuits function. Lead and support the delivery of several strategic submissions.
- 6–12 months: Demonstrate a measurable impact on work-winning activity through well-managed, high-quality bids that support growth across priority sectors.
Experience
We’d love to hear from you if you bring 6+ years of bid management experience within engineering, infrastructure, environmental consulting, business advisory, professional services or a related sector. You will have a strong track record of leading end-to-end submissions, managing multiple contributors and delivering high-quality proposals under tight deadlines.
You should be comfortable operating across bids typically ranging from mid-value to multi-million opportunities, with the judgement to understand when a pursuit requires structured bid leadership. Experience supporting public and private sector bids, working within governance frameworks and review processes, and contributing to strategic pursuit planning is essential.
Skills & Attributes
You are a high-performing bid professional who thrives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, with the ability to shape compelling, client-focused submissions. You will bring:
- Excellent communication skills – strong writing and editing capability, with the ability to translate complex technical content into clear, persuasive proposals.
- Strong organisational capability – highly structured and detail-oriented, with confidence managing multiple priorities and tight deadlines.
- Commercial awareness – understanding of what drives successful bids and how to position winning responses.
- Collaborative mindset – comfortable working across multidisciplinary teams and engaging with external partners.
- Strategic input – able to contribute credibly to bid strategy while maintaining delivery discipline throughout the submission process.
About GHD
Being the best we can be is in our culture. We are a family of smart, innovative problem solvers and, as an employee-owned organisation, we take a long-term view in everything we do.
This is an opportunity to work on increasingly significant opportunities, including major strategic programmes in the water, energy and transport sectors, while helping strengthen GHD’s broader work-winning capability across the UK. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.
Working Location
This role can be based in one of our UK offices and we operate a Hybrid Working Standard across the Enterprise, with a minimum of three days per week at a GHD office.
What next?
If shortlisted, our interview process will be a two-way conversation where you can learn more about our business, our sectors and the role this position plays in supporting GHD’s growth. Interested? Apply now.
Bid & Pursuits Leader in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: GHD
GHD is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, empowering employees to tackle significant challenges in water, energy, transport, and the environment. With a strong commitment to professional development, employees benefit from opportunities to lead strategic pursuits and contribute to meaningful projects that enhance community resilience. The hybrid working model allows for flexibility while maintaining a supportive team environment, making GHD an attractive choice for those seeking impactful careers in a dynamic setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Bid & Pursuits Leader in Newcastle upon Tyne
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their projects, values, and recent news. This will not only impress them but also help you tailor your responses to show how you can contribute to their goals. We want you to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to get comfortable with common questions and refine your answers. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel when it’s time to face the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and gives you another chance to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
We think you need these skills to ace Bid & Pursuits Leader in Newcastle upon Tyne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Bid & Pursuits Leader role. Highlight your relevant experience in bid management and how it aligns with GHD’s focus on high-quality proposals and strategic pursuits.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of successful bids you’ve led. Use metrics where possible to demonstrate your impact, like improved win rates or successful project outcomes.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to convey your ideas, making it easy for the hiring team to see your qualifications and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This ensures your application is received properly and allows us to review your details in line with our recruitment process.
How to prepare for a job interview at GHD
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into GHD’s sectors and service lines. Familiarise yourself with their recent projects and understand the challenges they face in water, energy, and transport. This knowledge will help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Bid & Pursuits Leader, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead teams effectively. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed bid processes in the past, highlighting your strategic input and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. Think of specific scenarios where you shaped win strategies or improved bid quality. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about GHD’s approach to bids and proposals, their team dynamics, and how they measure success. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.
