At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage bids to drive impactful projects across diverse sectors.
- Company: Join Palladium, a global leader in creating positive change worldwide.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Palladium values diversity and inclusion, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a real difference while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in bid management and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 € per year.
About Palladium
Palladium is a global company working to design, develop and deliver positive impact on the lives and livelihoods of people around the globe; broaden access to health, water, power, and infrastructure; build enduring, sustainable, and transformative institutions and market systems to address global challenges; and conserve the natural world. We operate in over 90 countries and have a workforce of 2,100 talented, motivated, and diverse staff of all religions, races, languages, and gender identities.
This Opportunity
Palladium’s UKEA Partnership is seeking an experienced Business Development Manager (BDM) to provide operational management for the region’s business development activities, ensuring that bids are planned, managed, and delivered rigorously in line with the Shipley (or equivalent) methodology and Palladium’s internal governance standards. The candidate will have demonstrated experience leading end‑to‑end bid management across multiple client types such as donors, multilaterals, foundations, and commercial.
Location
The position will be based out of Palladium’s London office. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK as visa sponsorship is not available. Palladium supports a hybrid working model with three days in office and two days remote.
Reporting Lines
This role will report to the Regional Director, Strategy and Growth, UKEA. This role will not have supervisory responsibilities.
Primary Responsibilities
- Bid Management (60–70% billable)
- Lead end‑to‑end bid management for priority opportunities, using the Shipley methodology as the core framework for all pursuits.
- Plan and manage bids through Shipley phases (capture / qualification / proposal development), ensuring appropriate reviews and decision points.
- Run structured Pink Team, Red Team, and Gold Team reviews, ensuring outputs are acted upon.
- Develop and manage compliant bid schedules, storyboards, win themes, and proposal plans.
- Draft, coordinate, and quality‑assure written submissions and presentation decks.
- Ensure bids are competitive, compelling, compliant with internal governance, and clearly aligned to client priorities.
- Coordinate timelines, inputs, reviews, and quality assurance.
- Bid Governance & Process Management
- Own and operate the regional bid governance rhythm, aligned with Shipley best practice and Palladium approval requirements.
- Track actions, risks, and decisions throughout the bid lifecycle.
- Scrutinise bid materials before escalation to the Regional Director, ensuring clarity of win themes, strong client focus, and readiness for senior review.
- Maintain bid calendars, trackers, and review logs.
- BD Reporting & Analytics
- Produce and maintain pipeline, pursuit, and win/loss reporting.
- Analyse performance data (hit rates, bid quality, review outcomes) to identify areas for improvement.
- Support leadership with clear, timely BD insights to inform strategic prioritisation.
- BD Best Practice & Tooling
- Act as a business development champion for the region, promoting consistent application of the methodology across bid teams.
- Maintain and improve business development templates, trackers, and guidance.
- Support colleagues in practical application of tools (storyboarding, compliance matrices, win theme development).
- Reinforce disciplined bidding behaviours across practices and teams.
Essential Criteria
- Strong, demonstrable experience applying a best‑practice business development methodology in a bid management or business development role.
- Proven track record of leading complex bids end‑to‑end.
- Experience working across multiple client types (donors, multilaterals, foundations, commercial).
- Confidence running structured bid reviews (Pink, Red, Gold Teams).
- Excellent organisational, coordination, and time‑management skills.
- High‑quality written communication and proposal development capability.
- Ability to work effectively with senior stakeholders and diverse technical teams.
Desirable Criteria
- Formal Shipley training or equivalent certification.
- Experience in international development, consulting, or professional services.
- Familiarity with CRM and pipeline management tools.
Applications
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. We encourage you to apply early as the position may close once a suitable candidate is found.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio‑economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status.
Adjustments
Should you require any adjustments or accommodations to be made during the recruitment process (due to disability, neurodiversity, or for any other circumstance), please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss.
Safeguarding
We define Safeguarding as "the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm". We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.
Business Development Manager employer: Palladium: Make It Possible
Palladium is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, where diverse talents come together to create meaningful impact globally. With a commitment to employee growth, Palladium offers robust professional development opportunities and supports a hybrid working model, allowing for flexibility and work-life balance. Located in London, employees benefit from a vibrant city atmosphere while contributing to transformative projects that address critical global challenges.
Contact Detail:
Palladium: Make It Possible Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Palladium’s projects and values. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their mission of creating positive impact. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your experience in bid management and how you’ve successfully led complex bids. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and keep them engaging.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Palladium and making a difference in the world.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Business Development Manager role. Highlight your experience with bid management and how it aligns with Palladium's mission. We want to see how you can make a positive impact!
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t hold back on showcasing your organisational and communication skills. Use specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your ability to lead complex bids and work with diverse teams. We love a good story!
Follow the Guidelines:Pay close attention to the application guidelines provided in the job description. Ensure your written submissions are clear, compliant, and compelling. We appreciate candidates who can follow instructions and present their ideas effectively.
Apply Early!:Remember, we’re accepting applications on a rolling basis, so don’t wait too long to apply! Head over to our website and submit your application as soon as you can. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Palladium: Make It Possible
✨Know Your Bid Management Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the Shipley methodology and can discuss how you've applied it in past roles. Be ready to share specific examples of how you’ve led end-to-end bid management, highlighting your experience with different client types.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
Palladium values strong organisational abilities, so come prepared to discuss how you manage timelines, inputs, and reviews. Bring examples of how you’ve maintained bid calendars and trackers, and how these practices have improved your team's efficiency.
✨Demonstrate Your Communication Prowess
As a Business Development Manager, you'll need to draft compelling proposals and presentations. Prepare to showcase your written communication skills by discussing past submissions and how you ensured they were compliant and aligned with client priorities.
✨Be Ready for Structured Reviews
Familiarise yourself with the Pink, Red, and Gold Team review processes. Be prepared to explain how you’ve facilitated these reviews in the past, ensuring clarity of win themes and readiness for senior review. This will show your understanding of the governance rhythm at Palladium.
