At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the bid process for exciting civil engineering projects across the UK.
- Company: Established contractor with a strong reputation in infrastructure and construction.
- Benefits: Career progression, professional development, and a collaborative team environment.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace committed to diversity and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on major projects while working with diverse teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in bid management or estimating within civil engineering or construction.
Our client is a well-established and highly successful civil engineering and structures contractor, delivering complex infrastructure and construction projects across the UK. Due to continued growth and expansion into the infrastructure, defence, data centre, and energy sectors, they are seeking an experienced Bid Manager to join their Preconstruction and Business Development team based in Corby. This role will play a key part in supporting the company's continued growth and strengthening its presence across these evolving markets. This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially aware and highly organised professional to take ownership of major bids, working collaboratively with estimating, planning, design and technical teams to secure projects.
The Role: Reporting into the Head of Preconstruction, you will lead the end-to-end bid process, ensuring high-quality, compliant submissions that maximise the company's chances of success. Working closely with internal departments and external stakeholders, you'll develop winning bid strategies, coordinate multidisciplinary teams and drive continuous improvement across the tendering function.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and manage the complete bid process from initial enquiry through to submission.
- Coordinate multidisciplinary teams including Estimating, Planning, Design, Commercial and Technical specialists.
- Develop and implement bid strategies aligned to client requirements and business objectives.
- Establish and manage bid programmes, ensuring deadlines and milestones are achieved.
- Prepare and review prequalification questionnaires (PQQs), tenders and proposal documentation.
- Work alongside estimating and commercial teams to ensure competitive pricing and robust commercial submissions.
- Collaborate with planning teams to develop programmes and delivery methodologies.
- Facilitate value engineering workshops and identify innovative, cost-effective solutions.
- Ensure all submissions comply with company governance procedures and client requirements.
- Manage bid budgets and resources effectively to deliver value for money.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, consultants, designers and supply chain partners.
- Chair bid review meetings and coordinate internal project workshops.
- Ensure compliance with all relevant Health & Safety legislation, including CDM Regulations.
- Implement continuous improvement initiatives.
About You: You'll be an experienced Bid Manager or Senior Estimator/Bid Lead with a proven background within civil engineering, structures or construction. You will have experience managing multiple concurrent tenders whilst confidently engaging with technical, commercial and operational stakeholders. You will also possess:
- Proven experience successfully managing bids and tenders within construction or civil engineering.
- Strong understanding of estimating, planning and construction methodologies.
- Experience pricing a variety of civil engineering and construction projects.
- Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, specifications and tender documentation.
- Good understanding of Bills of Quantities and preliminary cost items.
- Experience managing procurement activities and supply chain relationships.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams.
- Advanced Microsoft Office skills, including Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Microsoft Project.
Qualifications: HNC, NVQ Level 4 or equivalent construction qualification. Professional membership of MCIOB or MRICS. Desirable: Degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Quantity Surveying or a related discipline.
This is an excellent opportunity to join a financially secure and growing contractor with an outstanding reputation for delivering major civil engineering and structures projects across the UK. You'll become part of a collaborative preconstruction team where your expertise will directly influence project success, with genuine opportunities for career progression and professional development.
We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. In line with our Diversity and Inclusion policy, we welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. As a Disability Confident Employer, and part of the Nicholas Associates Group, we are committed to supporting candidates with disabilities, and we're happy to discuss flexible working options. We are committed to protecting the privacy of all our candidates and clients. If you choose to apply, your information will be processed in accordance with the Nicholas Associates Group of companies.
Bid Manager in Corby employer: Nicholas Associates
Nicholas Associates is an excellent employer for those looking to thrive in the Engineering and Technical recruitment sector. With a hybrid work model, a supportive work culture, and a comprehensive benefits package including generous holiday allowances and a pension plan, employees are encouraged to grow and develop their skills in a dynamic environment. Located in Sheffield, the company offers unique opportunities to engage with diverse industries while fostering a collaborative atmosphere that values both individual contributions and team success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Bid Manager in Corby
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Nicholas Associates, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Bid Manager at Nicholas Associates.
We think you need these skills to ace Bid Manager in Corby
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Nicholas Associates
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
