Director of Planning - Remote

Location: Bristol / London / Birmingham (Hybrid)

Hoare Lea is a human-centric and planet-conscious engineering consultancy. We provide a wide range of engineering and consultancy services, including acoustics, air quality, building services (MEP), fire, lighting, security and sustainability to name but a few. We ensure that whatever the building, its design is outstanding, and its operations meet the needs of the communities it serves.

You will have the opportunity to participate in our 9-day fortnight scheme, thriving community groups, varied social and networking events, and extensive professional and technical development schemes. We also offer an extensive benefits package, including private medical cover, electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme, stock options, and up to 30 days of annual leave.

We are creating a new senior leadership role to transform how we win work across our three divisions — Public, Commercial, and Technology. The Head of Bidding Strategy & Frameworks will define, lead, and continuously improve Hoare Lea's firmwide approach to bidding — shaping policy, process, and behaviours that drive consistency, efficiency, and measurable performance improvement.

A critical dimension of this role is the connection to Brand and Marketing. Working closely with our marketing and visualisation teams, you will ensure that every submission reflects the Hoare Lea brand — distinctive, professional, and client-centred — with market-leading content and design that make our proposals easy to navigate, engaging to read, and meaningful.

It is a chance to build credibility through action, demonstrate leadership through collaboration, and create the foundations for lasting transformation in how Hoare Lea approaches work-winning.

• Assess existing processes, identify risks and opportunities, and lead change across teams and disciplines to deliver a high-performing bid function.
• Lead by example through early, hands-on involvement in bids and frameworks — using direct experience to inform and shape strategy, policy, and process improvements.
• Introduce governance and performance metrics (e.g., Embed digital tools — including AI-assisted authoring, CRM, and data analysis — to enhance efficiency and consistency.
• Lead the management and performance of key national and sector frameworks, using them as platforms to generate real work — not just as a 'win in name.'
• Shape our approach to framework ownership, ensuring delivery teams are supported to convert positions into tangible project appointments and consultancy revenue.
• Strengthen our approach to main contractor relationships, bringing insight and experience to enhance collaboration and value creation.

• Establish a professional, scalable bid management infrastructure and build internal capability across all divisions.
• Develop collateral, templates, and training materials that elevate the quality and impact of submissions.

• Partner with Divisional Directors, Sector Leads, Program Managers, and the Strategic Business Development team to ensure a joined-up approach to opportunity management.
• Work closely with Marketing and Brand colleagues, ensuring that all bid and framework submissions reflect Hoare Lea's visual and tonal identity, and that our content stands out in the marketplace for clarity, quality, and creativity.
• Collaborate with our visualisation team, bid managers and coordinators to create visually impactful, easy-to-consume proposals and presentations that strengthen our client relationships and reinforce our value.
• Drive cross-firm collaboration, connecting project, commercial, and design leaders to produce coherent, persuasive, and client-centred proposals.
• Represent Hoare Lea within Tetra Tech Europe's network to identify shared opportunities and strengthen our collective offer.

Deep understanding of how digital tools (AI, CRM, data) can enhance work-winning outcomes.

A passion for brand integrity and design quality — with an eye for how presentation and storytelling drive engagement and success.

Background in major project, main contractor, or consultancy bidding.

From there, successful candidates will be invited to attend a panel interview, either via Microsoft Teams or in person at one of our offices.

If there are adjustments or accommodations that we can put in place to help you participate and give your best at any stage of the recruitment process (whether relating to disability, neurodivergence or anything else) please let us know.

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