At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage proposals, collaborating with a dynamic team to deliver winning bids.
- Company: Join Opencast, a growing tech consultancy focused on user-centred solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, generous holiday, pension contributions, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working locations and travel across the UK included.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while working in a supportive and diverse environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in bid management and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Are you looking for work that makes a difference? Do you want to work with people who learn and grow together? If so, Opencast could be the place for you. We’re a growing tech consultancy that creates user-centred solutions with purpose for our clients in government and business.
The role involves planning and co-ordinating the end-to-end delivery of proposal responses of varying size, complexity and value. This will involve working in collaboration with colleagues across the wider Opencast team and partner organisations to manage, prepare, format and submit winning proposals. The role will lead key bid activities throughout the proposal lifecycle, including kick-off meetings, storyboarding sessions, content reviews, sign-off processes and bid retrospectives.
Working closely with a diverse range of stakeholders and subject matter experts, you will also have an opportunity to get involved in presentations and continuous improvement activities, which will involve leading on and contributing to process improvements.
We’ll want you to demonstrate experience in bid management, with strong time management, attention to detail and communication skills, and a good understanding of the procurement lifecycle. You don’t need to have had the job title of bid manager before, and we encourage applications from candidates that can demonstrate those core skills.
In your CV and interview, please show you have:
- Worked within a busy bid team across public and/or private sectors.
- Led key sessions such as bid kick-offs, storyboarding, quality gate reviews, and retros.
- Developed bid templates, trackers, and storyboards to support structured bid responses.
- Managed relationships within the bid team and across the organisation.
- Successfully organised and delivered bids within tight timescales.
As well as bid management experience, there are essential core skills you’ll need to excel in this role. In the interview, please show how you:
- Develop bid strategies based on client requirements.
- Review and analyse client documents to identify key requirements and deliverables.
- Gather and submit clarification questions, and keep the team updated.
- Review, provide feedback on, and format bid responses effectively.
- Coordinate multiple priorities in parallel, with excellent organisation and attention to detail.
- Coach bid teams on best practices and ensure quality.
- Demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills, with a natural ability to lead and collaborate.
If you’re successful in the first interview, we’ll invite you back to meet with colleagues that you will be working with outside of the bid team, which will give you an insight into the stakeholders that you would typically collaborate on bids with.
Experience with Public Sector Frameworks such as DOS, G-Cloud and DSP responding to proposed commercial scenarios and preparing rate cards.
What we offer: A competitive package including a 7% employer pension contribution, share options, and a discretionary bonus. You’ll also benefit from 25 days’ holiday and access to 3 annual “life happens” days to support unexpected situations. We provide wellbeing support, ongoing professional development, volunteering opportunities, and the chance to be part of a genuinely supportive team.
Your working time at Opencast will be split between multiple locations, including from our HQ and hub locations, client site or home. Travel across the UK is part of life at Opencast. This varies in frequency, and takes into account requirements of your work, our clients and your team.
We welcome candidates from all identities, attributes, ways of thinking and backgrounds to thrive in a career at Opencast. Our aim is for the diversity of our people to be reflected in the solutions we deliver, to help create a fairer society for all.
Job interviews are on Microsoft Teams. We’ll make any adjustments to help you.
Want to know more? Visit our website or email careers@opencastsoftware.com. We are not working with recruitment agencies on this vacancy. If you are interested in this position, please apply directly with Opencast.
Bid Manager employer: Opencast | B Corp
Opencast is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and supportive work culture, where employees are encouraged to learn and grow together. With a competitive benefits package including a generous pension contribution, share options, and ample holiday, Opencast prioritises employee wellbeing and professional development. The diverse team works across various locations, providing unique opportunities for engagement with both public and private sector clients, making it a rewarding place to build a meaningful career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Bid Manager
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Bid Manager at Opencast | B Corp!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Opencast | B Corp or be willing to refer you for that Bid Manager position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from Opencast | B Corp who’s on the lookout for their next Bid Manager star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Bid Manager role at Opencast | B Corp!
We think you need these skills to ace Bid Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Opencast | B Corp. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Opencast | B Corp
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Opencast | B Corp. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!