At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage strategic bids, ensuring high-quality submissions that win business.
- Company: Join James Fisher, a global leader in engineering services with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, private medical insurance, and early finishes on Fridays.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact in defence and commercial sectors while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in bid management, excellent communication skills, and IT literacy required.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with clear pathways for career development and organisational visibility.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
As a key member of our Bids Team, the Senior Bid Lead will take ownership of strategically important bids from initial receipt through to contract award, driving success across our Defence and Commercial & Hyperbaric product lines. This pivotal role demands strong leadership and attention to detail, ensuring high-quality submissions that win business. This role will see you dealing with complex large scale tender opportunities. Occasional UK travel may be required, and candidates should be able to achieve SC clearance.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Lead Bids in line with the JFD Global Bids Process. Following a bid/no bid process, you will be allocated resources or allocate yourself to write, manage, coordinate, and produce high quality submissions from kick-off to final submission and handover.
- Mentoring and developing other members of the Bids Team and act as first reviewer for the Head of Bids.
- Ensure that all the bid requirements are well managed, maintained and acted upon.
- Write sections of bids and produce quality content plans for the wider business departments to aid them with their written requirements. Coordinate and review their responses to ensure all the client’s key points are addressed.
- Act as a catalyst of the bid team in the challenge of working cohesively and positively towards project objectives.
- Work with the estimating lead and relevant support functions to ensure accurate cost estimates that safeguard competitiveness and winning pricing.
- Ensure presentation of Bids to internal/external stakeholders is succinct, coherent and achieve overall objectives.
- Interaction with the JFD Senior Leadership Team and JFS Investment Committee for Bid Approval in line with Global Bids Process.
What we’re looking for
- Demonstrated Bid/ Tender Management experience.
- Previous MOD or government tendering experience desirable.
- Experience mentoring personnel.
- Highly numerate – estimating experience desirable.
- Bid / Tender writing experience essential.
- IT Literate, experienced in using Microsoft office packages, particularly Excel.
- Ability to work to own initiative and strict deadlines.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Experience with CRM package (Salesforce etc.)
- Teamwork and relationships.
- Risk analysis.
Why join us?
- Early finish on Fridays
- Competitive salary and benefits package aligned with experience (Private Medical Insurance, Life Assurance, Cycle to work scheme, Company Pension, etc.)
- Clear pathways for career development and organisational visibility
- Inclusive and supportive culture that values individual contributions
- Meaningful work with impact across safety, innovation, and global operations
About Us
James Fisher is a global engineering services company operating across Energy, Defence, and Maritime Transport. With a strong heritage in maritime operations, we now deliver innovative solutions in challenging environments. Our One James Fisher strategy is focused on building a unified, sustainable business within the Blue Economy, driving progress through technology, expertise, and collaboration. James Fisher Defence (JFD), part of the James Fisher Group, is a global leader in underwater capability, delivering cutting‑edge diving, submarine rescue, and hyperbaric solutions to both commercial and defence markets. Operating worldwide, JFD is the foremost provider of submarine rescue services and a trusted name in submarine escape training. We’re also at the forefront of hyperbaric rescue innovation and a leading supplier of advanced diving equipment and saturation systems across the industry.
If this sounds like the ideal next step in your career, click “apply” now! Due to the volume of applications, we receive for our vacancies, on occasion applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment. James Fisher and Sons are committed to taking positive action on diversity and strongly encourage applications for candidates from all backgrounds. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and recognise that our success depends on our talented and diverse workforce.
Senior Bid Lead in Renfrew employer: James Fisher and Sons plc
Contact Detail:
James Fisher and Sons plc Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Bid Lead in Renfrew
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research James Fisher and their Bids Team, understand their values, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission. This shows you’re genuinely interested and not just another applicant.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to insider tips or even a referral, which can give you a leg up in the application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to bid management and leadership. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, showcasing your skills and experiences effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email reiterating your interest in the role and highlighting a key point from your conversation can keep you fresh in their minds. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Bid Lead in Renfrew
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Bid Lead role. Highlight your relevant experience in bid management and any specific projects that align with our Defence and Commercial & Hyperbaric product lines.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a key member of our Bids Team, we want to see how you've led teams or mentored others in previous roles. Share examples that demonstrate your ability to drive success and manage complex tender opportunities.
Attention to Detail is Key: Ensure your application is free from errors and clearly structured. We value high-quality submissions, so take the time to proofread and make sure all key points are addressed in your application.
Apply Early!: Don’t wait until the deadline to submit your application. We often close applications early due to high volumes, so get your application in through our website as soon as you can to avoid missing out!
How to prepare for a job interview at James Fisher and Sons plc
✨Know Your Bids Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the bid processes and requirements mentioned in the job description. Familiarise yourself with the JFD Global Bids Process and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with leading bids and managing submissions.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Bid Lead, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership. Prepare examples of how you've mentored team members or led successful bids in the past. Highlight your ability to coordinate teams and drive projects to completion, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Be Ready for Technical Questions
Expect questions about your experience with tender writing and estimating. Brush up on your knowledge of the tools and software mentioned, like Microsoft Excel and CRM packages. Being able to discuss your technical skills confidently will show that you're well-prepared for the role.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare insightful questions about the company culture, the Bids Team's dynamics, and how success is measured in this role. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.