At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage high-quality bid submissions for a top UK security services company.
- Company: Join a market-leading brand with a supportive and collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a salary up to £60,000, excellent perks, and hybrid working.
- Why this job: Shape the future of bids while working remotely and making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in bid management, strong writing skills, and design flair are essential.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and continuous improvement in a dynamic environment.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
We are partnering with a brand-leading UK security services company to recruit an experienced Bid Manager to take ownership of high-quality, high-value bid submissions across the business. This is a highly visible role within a growing organisation, offering genuine autonomy, senior stakeholder exposure, and the chance to shape how bids are produced and presented. The position is predominantly home-based, with one day per week in a London-area office for collaboration and key meetings.
As Bid Manager, you will manage the full bid lifecycle from opportunity qualification through to submission and post-bid review. You’ll work closely with sales, operations, finance, and senior leadership to produce compelling, compliant, and visually engaging bid responses that reflect the strength of the brand. This role will suit a Bid Manager who combines strong project management and writing skills with an eye for design, layout, and presentation quality.
Key Responsibilities- Own and manage end-to-end bid delivery across security services contracts and frameworks
- Lead bid kick-off meetings and manage timelines, inputs, and stakeholder engagement
- Write, edit, and coordinate high-quality bid responses aligned to client requirements and evaluation criteria
- Ensure bids are visually polished and on-brand, using design skills to enhance readability and impact
- Coordinate reviews (pink/red/gold) and manage approvals through to final submission
- Maintain and develop bid libraries, case studies, and standard responses
- Manage post-bid feedback sessions, capturing lessons learned and continuous improvement
- Ensure all submissions are compliant, accurate, and submitted on time
- Proven experience as a Bid Manager or Senior Bid Writer, ideally within security, facilities management, or another outsourced services environment
- Strong experience managing multiple bids simultaneously, with full cradle-to-grave ownership
- Excellent written communication skills with strong attention to detail
- Experience or confidence in design, layout, and visual presentation (e.g. InDesign, PowerPoint, Canva, or similar tools)
- Comfortable engaging and influencing senior internal stakeholders
- Highly organised, self-sufficient, and confident working remotely
- Proactive mindset with a passion for continuous improvement
- Experience within the security industry or regulated environments
- Knowledge of public sector procurement and framework bidding
- Familiarity with bid portals and compliance-driven tenders
- Salary up to £60,000
- Excellent benefits package (pension, healthcare, and additional perks)
- Hybrid working – 4 days from home, 1 day per week in a London-area office
- Supportive, collaborative culture within a market-leading brand
- Opportunity to play a key role in shaping bid quality and success
Bid Manager in Reading employer: Palmer McCarthy Solutions Ltd
Contact Detail:
Palmer McCarthy Solutions Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Bid Manager in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the security services industry and let them know you're on the lookout for a Bid Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Get your portfolio ready! Showcase your best bid submissions and highlight your project management skills. A visually appealing portfolio can really set you apart, especially when applying through our website.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Prepare for interviews by rehearsing how you’ll discuss your experience managing bids and engaging with stakeholders. Confidence is key, so make sure you can articulate your value clearly.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay organised! Keep track of all your applications and follow up where necessary. A little persistence can go a long way, especially when you’re applying through our website and want to stand out.
We think you need these skills to ace Bid Manager in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Bid Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing bids and your writing skills, as these are key to impressing us at StudySmarter.
Showcase Your Design Skills: Since this role requires a keen eye for design and presentation, don’t shy away from including examples of your work. Whether it’s a polished bid response or a visually engaging presentation, we want to see how you can enhance readability and impact.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate strong written communication skills, so make sure your application reflects that with well-structured sentences and no fluff!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with a leading security services company.
How to prepare for a job interview at Palmer McCarthy Solutions Ltd
✨Know Your Bids Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the bid lifecycle and the specific requirements of the role. Familiarise yourself with the company's previous bids and their outcomes. This will not only show your interest but also allow you to discuss how you can contribute to improving their bid processes.
✨Showcase Your Writing Skills
As a Bid Manager, strong writing skills are crucial. Prepare examples of your past bid submissions that highlight your ability to create compelling narratives. Bring along samples or be ready to discuss how you tailored responses to meet client needs and evaluation criteria.
✨Demonstrate Your Design Flair
Since visual presentation is key in this role, be prepared to talk about your experience with design tools like InDesign or Canva. You might even want to bring a portfolio showcasing your best work. This will help illustrate your ability to enhance readability and impact through design.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
The role involves significant interaction with senior stakeholders, so practice discussing how you've successfully engaged and influenced them in the past. Think of specific examples where your communication skills made a difference in the bid process, and be ready to share these during the interview.