At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage bid opportunities and coordinate activities to secure new business.
- Company: Join Optum UK, a leader in integrated healthcare software and services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with excellent collaboration and stakeholder engagement.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team driving business growth in healthcare.
- Qualifications: Experience in bid management or project management is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Are you looking to progress or develop a career in bid management and directly influence business growth? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where organisation, collaboration and strategic thinking come together to secure new business opportunities? If so, we encourage you to read on.
About the Team / Business Area:
The Growth and Sales Operations team plays a key role in driving business growth across Optum. Working collaboratively with teams across Sales, Commercial, Product, Finance, Legal and Operations, the team is responsible for identifying, managing and securing new business opportunities through bids, tenders and procurement exercises. The function supports both public and private sector opportunities, ensuring high-quality and compliant submissions that clearly demonstrate our capabilities, value proposition and commitment to improving healthcare outcomes.
About the Role:
This role is an exciting opportunity to join our Growth team as a Bid Manager. Reporting to the Head of Sales Operations, you will play a critical role in supporting the bids and wider growth team by managing opportunities from qualification through to submission. You will be responsible for coordinating bid activity across the business, ensuring effective governance, stakeholder engagement and delivery of compelling, compliant and competitive bid responses. Working closely with the wider bid team and key business stakeholders, you will help drive visibility, support business growth and contribute directly to securing new business opportunities.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage bid opportunities from qualification through to submission, ensuring all deadlines and customer requirements are met.
- Develop and maintain detailed bid plans, ensuring effective governance and organisation throughout the bid lifecycle.
- Lead qualification activities, bid/no-bid discussions, kick-off meetings, review sessions and approval checkpoints.
- Act as the central point of coordination across Sales, Legal, Finance, Commercial, Operations, Product and Technical stakeholders.
- Develop bid strategies that align with customer objectives, evaluation criteria and procurement requirements.
- Support the creation of compelling win themes, key differentiators and customer-focused messaging.
- Coordinate commercial, technical and product inputs to ensure proposals are competitive, deliverable and commercially viable.
- Ensure all submissions are compliant with procurement instructions, governance requirements and evaluation criteria.
Who You Are:
You are a highly organised and proactive professional with a passion for delivering high-quality outcomes. You thrive on bringing people together, managing multiple priorities and ensuring projects remain on track from initiation to completion. You possess excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, allowing you to confidently work with colleagues across all levels of the organisation. Combining attention to detail with strong commercial awareness, you are motivated by supporting business growth and helping secure new opportunities.
Key Skills, Experience & Qualifications:
- Several years' experience in bid management, project management, operations management or a similar role.
- Excellent stakeholder management and collaboration capabilities.
- Experience working within a fast-paced commercial or operational environment.
- Strong planning, problem-solving and organisational abilities.
- Experience supporting bids, proposals or tender submissions desirable.
- Knowledge of healthcare, healthcare technology or healthcare software desirable.
- Understanding of public and private sector procurement practices desirable.
- Awareness of proposal writing principles and bid management best practices desirable.
Take the Next Step in Your Career With Us?
As you know, at Optum UK we are a UK leader in integrated healthcare software and services, supporting healthcare professionals across primary and community care, pharmacy, secondary care and specialist services. Our technology helps teams access the right information at the right time, enabling better, faster and more efficient patient care across the UK healthcare system.
Bid Manager in Leeds employer: OptumUK
OptumUK is an excellent employer that values flexibility and collaboration, offering a hybrid work model that allows you to balance your professional and personal life effectively. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have access to continuous learning opportunities and the chance to work alongside diverse teams in a supportive environment. Located in Leeds, you'll enjoy a vibrant city atmosphere while contributing to meaningful projects that impact the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Bid Manager in Leeds
✨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 OptumUK!
✨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 OptumUK 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 OptumUK 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 OptumUK!
We think you need these skills to ace Bid Manager in Leeds
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 OptumUK. 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 OptumUK
✨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 OptumUK. 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!
