Bids Assistant

Penningtons Manches Cooper is a leading UK and international law firm, recognised for combining legal expertise with a deep understanding of our clients’ commercial objectives. With over 400 specialist lawyers, we provide a full-service offering tailored to the needs of businesses and individuals, delivering high-quality, practical legal advice across a range of sectors. Our Marketing and Business Development team plays a central role in driving the firm’s strategic growth ambitions.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the firm’s Business Development team as a Bids Assistant, supporting the preparation and delivery of high-quality bids, tenders and proposals that win new work and drive revenue growth. Working closely with the Bids Manager, Senior Executive and the wider BD team, you will help coordinate and contribute to bids across a range of practice areas. You will gain exposure to the full bids process from opportunity tracking through to submission and post-bid review while developing your skills in content development, coordination and stakeholder engagement. This role offers an excellent foundation for developing a career in bids, business development and client strategy within a professional services environment.

Responsibilities

• Support the coordination of bids and tenders, helping to ensure deadlines, timelines and submission requirements are met.
• Help prepare credentials, presentations and supporting materials for bids, pitches and client opportunities.
• Support the preparation, formatting and submission of directory submissions to a high standard.
• Assist with tracking bid opportunities, including monitoring tender portals and internal systems.
• Help coordinate input from partners, lawyers and business development teams.
• Assist in ensuring submissions are compliant, accurate and aligned with firm branding.
• Support post-bid activity, including gathering feedback where available.

Content Management and AI Enablement

• Maintain bid trackers, templates and internal systems.
• Help identify opportunities to enhance the quality, consistency and usability of credentials, case studies and bid materials for future bids and proposals.
• Maintain and update the firm’s bid and credentials library, ensuring materials are current and accessible.
• Support the development of tailored materials to reflect client needs and sector focus.
• Assist with tagging, categorising and maintaining bid content to improve knowledge sharing and support the effective use of AI-enabled tools.
• Support the adoption of new technologies and AI-driven solutions within the bids function, helping to ensure content is prepared and maintained in line with best practice.
• Contribute to initiatives aimed at improving data quality, content governance and the firm's overall AI readiness within Business Development and Marketing.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Work with lawyers and BD colleagues to gather information and input for bids.
• Support the organisation of bid-related meetings and help track actions and follow-ups.
• Build effective working relationships across teams while developing confidence working with senior stakeholders.
• Contribute to wider marketing and business development projects.

What We’re Looking For

• A keen interest in developing a career in bids, business development or marketing.
• An interest in technology, content management and the role of AI in improving business development, marketing and bid processes.
• Previous experience in an administrative, marketing or business development role, is beneficial but not essential.
• A proactive and organised approach, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a willingness to develop confidence in drafting and editing content.
• High attention to detail and a commitment to producing accurate, high-quality work.
• A collaborative mindset and enthusiasm for working as part of a team.
• A positive, flexible approach and a willingness to learn.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office (particularly Word and PowerPoint).

What You’ll Gain

• Hands on experience of the bids and tender process within a leading international law firm.
• The opportunity to develop key skills in writing, content development and project coordination.
• Exposure to a range of practice areas and insight into how legal services are delivered.
• The chance to work with and learn from experienced BD professionals and partners.
• Involvement in developing credentials, presentations and client-facing materials.
• Exposure to AI-enabled bidding, content management and content development practices, helping to build skills that are increasingly important within modern business development teams.
• A supportive and collaborative team environment with a strong focus on learning and development.
• A clear pathway to progress into a Bids Executive or Business Development role over time.

Working Arrangements

The firm operates a hybrid agile working policy, enabling employees to work from home (or another UK location) for up to 50% of their time. At our firm, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is a priority and at the heart of everything we do. We actively want to attract a diverse workforce and welcome applications from everyone, from all backgrounds. We are committed to promoting an inclusive culture where everyone can be their full selves and experience being seen and heard. We ensure that there are equal opportunities and treatment for all job applicants and employees, at all stages of the recruitment process and employment, regardless of age, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and social background. We aim to provide adjustments for people who have a disability, long-term health condition (including mental health) or neurodiversity.