Principal Bid Manager in London

We have an opportunity for an experienced Principal Bid Manager to join our Business Development team, working across HCRG Care Group and Operose Health. We're looking for someone with a strong background in bid management who is comfortable managing complex tenders, working to competing deadlines and supporting colleagues across the wider team. This is a new position within the team and would suit an experienced Bid Manager who is ready to take on more responsibility.

Alongside managing your own bids, you'll help guide and support other Bid Managers, review submissions and deputise for the Senior Business Development Manager when required. You'll also have the opportunity to develop your leadership skills, with the potential to take on formal line management responsibilities as the role develops. Previous people management experience isn't essential. The role is fully remote, with occasional travel for team meetings, market engagement events and other business requirements, expected to be approximately once a month.

Main Responsibilities:

• Managing multiple bids at the same time, taking ownership of planning, deadlines, resources and submissions.
• Leading the end-to-end bid process, including bid planning, stakeholder engagement, proposal development and submission.
• Developing bid strategies, win themes and customer-focused proposals.
• Working with operational, clinical, finance, commercial, legal and workforce colleagues to develop tender responses.
• Reviewing and challenging bid submissions prepared by other members of the team, providing feedback and quality assurance.
• Supporting other Bid Managers with day-to-day queries, sharing knowledge and helping to improve bid management practices.
• Contributing to bid writing, editing and proposal development where required.
• Ensuring bids meet procurement requirements, internal governance standards and submission deadlines.
• Identifying and managing bid risks, dependencies and commercial considerations.
• Supporting wider business development activity, including market engagement, opportunity qualification and early proposition development.
• Deputising for the Senior Business Development Manager when required, helping to coordinate activity across the team.
• Contributing to post-bid reviews and identifying opportunities to improve how bids are managed and delivered.

The Ideal Candidate:

• Substantial experience of end-to-end bid management, including complex and high-value tenders.
• Experience of managing multiple bids and competing deadlines.
• Strong bid writing, editing and proposal development skills.
• Experience of developing win strategies, win themes and customer-focused propositions.
• The ability to review bid content, identify improvements and provide constructive feedback.
• Good commercial awareness, including an understanding of bid risks, assumptions and dependencies.
• Experience of working with and influencing senior stakeholders and subject matter experts.
• Strong organisational, communication and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to work under pressure and maintain a high standard of work.
• A collaborative approach, with the confidence to support and guide colleagues.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

It would also be beneficial if you have:

• Experience of bidding for healthcare, NHS, local authority or other public sector contracts.
• APMP Foundation, Practitioner or another relevant bid/proposal management qualification.
• Experience of wider business development activity, including market engagement and opportunity qualification.
• A degree or equivalent relevant experience.

This is an opportunity to join a growing Business Development team and take on a role that combines hands-on bid management with supporting and developing others. You'll work closely with the Senior Business Development Manager, taking responsibility for your own bids while helping the wider team improve its approach to bid management.