At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex NHS bid programmes and shape winning strategies.
- Company: Growing healthcare services organisation with a focus on NHS growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, hybrid work, and influence in strategic decisions.
- Other info: Opportunity to work closely with senior leadership and drive NHS growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by building a new bid function and winning contracts.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in NHS bids and strong strategic thinking skills.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 65000 € per year.
Hybrid – Milton Keynes (1 day per week, expenses covered) Up to £65,000 + Bonus
Urgent Appointment | Major NHS Bid Programme Launching June
I’m working exclusively with a growing healthcare services organisation at a pivotal point in its NHS growth journey. This is a genuinely exciting opportunity as they build an entirely new bid function from the ground up to shape how future NHS bids are built. This role will be integral in ensuring submissions are not just competitive, but operationally credible, commercially viable, and grounded in real-world service delivery.
This is not a “process admin” bid role. This is a high-impact opportunity for an experienced NHS bid leader to take full ownership of bid strategy, shape how the business competes, and build a more sophisticated, resilient approach to winning NHS contracts. The business needs someone who understands how NHS commissioners think, what drives scoring decisions, and how to build submissions that are genuinely winnable. You’ll be the person who bridges the gap between operational capability and commissioner expectation.
What you’ll own:
- End-to-end ownership of complex NHS bid programmes from qualification through to submission
- Defining bid strategy, win themes, positioning and differentiation
- Leading bid/no-bid decision making to focus effort on high-quality, commercially viable opportunities
- Translating commissioner priorities into compelling submission strategy
- Coordinating internal stakeholders and external bid writing resource to deliver exceptional outputs
- Running post-bid debriefs and embedding continuous improvement into future submissions
- Building scalable bid processes, governance and templates to eliminate historic single-point-of-failure risk
What we’re looking for:
Essential:
- Proven experience leading complex NHS bids end-to-end
- Strong understanding of NHS commissioning, contracting, scoring and evaluation frameworks
- Experience within primary care commissioning, NHS contracting, procurement, or transformation environments
- Strong strategic thinking with commercial delivery focus
- Able to influence and challenge senior stakeholders confidently
- Highly organised with exceptional attention to detail under pressure
Highly desirable:
- Experience shaping strategic positioning against NHS competitors
- Horizon scanning / pipeline development capability
- Ability to combine both strategic and hands-on bid leadership
Why this role is different:
This role will help build a fit-for-purpose bid function with real strategic capability, one that doesn’t just submit bids, but wins the right contracts profitably and sustainably. You’ll work directly with senior leadership and have genuine influence over how NHS growth is delivered.
Strategic Bid Manager employer: Practicus
Join a dynamic healthcare services organisation at the forefront of NHS growth, where your expertise as a Strategic Bid Manager will be pivotal in shaping a new bid function. With a strong emphasis on employee development, a collaborative work culture, and the opportunity to influence strategic decisions, this role offers not just competitive remuneration but also the chance to make a meaningful impact in the healthcare sector. Enjoy the flexibility of a hybrid working model in Milton Keynes, with expenses covered for your commute, ensuring a balanced work-life experience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Bid Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the NHS sector. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. The more connections you make, the better your chances of hearing about opportunities before they even hit the job boards.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation’s recent bids and their approach to NHS contracts. This will not only help you understand their strategy but also give you a chance to showcase your knowledge during the interview. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re the one who gets how they operate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You need to be able to articulate your experience and how it aligns with their needs clearly and confidently. Role-play with a friend or use a mirror to refine your delivery. Remember, you want to come across as the strategic leader they’re looking for!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got some fantastic resources to help you stand out. Plus, applying directly shows your enthusiasm and commitment to joining the team. Let’s get you that Strategic Bid Manager role!
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Bid Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Strategic Bid Manager role. Highlight your experience with NHS bids and how you can bridge the gap between operational capability and commissioner expectations. We want to see how you can make a real impact!
Showcase Your Strategic Thinking:In your application, emphasise your strategic thinking skills and how you've successfully led complex NHS bids in the past. We’re looking for someone who can define bid strategies and win themes, so don’t hold back on sharing your successes!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where necessary to make your achievements stand out. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read and gets straight to the good stuff!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Practicus
✨Know Your NHS Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of NHS commissioning, contracting, and evaluation frameworks. Understanding how commissioners think and what drives their scoring decisions will give you a significant edge in the interview.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare to discuss specific examples where you've defined bid strategies or led complex NHS bids. Highlight your ability to translate commissioner priorities into compelling submission strategies, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Demonstrate Your Leadership Skills
Be ready to talk about how you've influenced senior stakeholders and coordinated teams in previous roles. This position requires someone who can bridge operational capability with commissioner expectations, so showcasing your leadership experience is key.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Discuss how you've run post-bid debriefs and implemented changes based on feedback. The organisation is looking for someone who can embed continuous improvement into future submissions, so showing your commitment to learning and adapting will impress them.
