At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the tendering process and develop winning proposals across multiple service divisions.
- Company: A leading national service provider with a focus on security, cleaning, recruitment, and training.
- Benefits: Join a people-powered organisation committed to innovation and professional development.
- Why this job: Shape a high-performing tendering function and drive new business growth.
- Qualifications: 3-5 years in bid management with strong leadership and communication skills.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for career advancement and continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
A leading national service provider delivering specialist solutions across security, cleaning, recruitment and training is seeking an experienced Head of Tendering Centre to lead and develop its group-wide tendering function. With a workforce of over 11,000 colleagues and services delivered across 5,000+ sites, the organisation provides integrated solutions to both public and private sector clients. The business combines national scale with strong regional support and is continuing to expand both across the UK and internationally. This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic bid leader to shape and drive a high-performing tendering function that supports both new business growth and client retention.
The Head of Tendering Centre will lead the end-to-end tendering process across multiple service divisions. You will mentor and develop bid teams, manage multiple concurrent opportunities, and convert complex requirements into high-quality, compliant and compelling proposals that win work. You will work closely with senior leadership, operational teams and subject matter experts to deliver solutions-led bids across both public and private sectors.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the full tender lifecycle from opportunity identification through to submission
- Manage and coordinate multiple tender submissions and deadlines
- Build and lead cross-functional bid teams to develop compelling solutions
- Review, critique and approve all tender submissions to ensure quality and compliance
- Maintain tender portals and systems to capture new opportunities
- Deliver board-level reporting on tender pipeline, performance and outcomes
- Develop strong win strategies incorporating innovation, ESG and social value
- Maintain a high-quality bid library and knowledge base
- Manage external bid writers or partners where required
- Lead post-tender debriefs to drive continuous improvement
About You
You are a strategic and commercially aware bid professional who thrives in a fast-paced, service-led environment. You bring strong leadership capability alongside exceptional written communication skills and a passion for developing winning proposals.
Essential Experience
- 3–5 years’ experience in bid management, tendering or proposal development
- Experience within multi-service, facilities management or service-based sectors
- Proven experience managing public and private sector tenders
- Strong knowledge of tender portals, procurement frameworks and compliance requirements
- Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality written proposals
- Experience leading or mentoring bid teams
- Ability to manage multiple concurrent tenders and deadlines
- APMP certification (or working towards it)
Key Skills
- Excellent written communication and attention to detail
- Strong commercial awareness and value-based proposal writing
- Stakeholder management across senior leadership and operational teams
- Familiarity with CRM platforms such as HubSpot
- Strategic thinking with a solutions-focused approach
- Ability to analyse tender feedback and improve win rates
Personal Attributes
- Proactive and solutions-focused
- Strategic problem-solver
- Results-driven with strong ownership
- Calm and composed under pressure
- Collaborative team player
- Authentic, people-focused leader
- Positive, resilient and adaptable
What You’ll Be Part Of
You will join a people-powered organisation where collaboration, innovation and service excellence are at the heart of everything we do. The business is committed to developing its people, improving processes and delivering high-quality services to clients across the UK and internationally. If you are an experienced bid leader looking to shape and lead a group-wide tendering function, we would love to hear from you.
Bid Manager employer: QP Group
Contact Detail:
QP Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Bid Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn or at local events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its recent projects. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in bid management and tendering.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. Focus on articulating your strategic thinking and leadership skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Bid Manager
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 bid management and how it aligns with our needs. We want to see how you can lead and develop a high-performing tendering function!
Showcase Your Writing Skills: Since this role requires exceptional written communication, include examples of high-quality proposals you've crafted. We love seeing your ability to convert complex requirements into compelling submissions that win work.
Highlight Your Leadership Experience: Don’t forget to mention any experience you have in mentoring or leading bid teams. We’re looking for someone who can build and lead cross-functional teams, so share your success stories!
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 don’t miss out on any important updates about the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at QP Group
✨Know Your Tendering Process
Make sure you understand the full tender lifecycle, from opportunity identification to submission. Familiarise yourself with the specific requirements of the role and be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed similar processes in the past.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Bid Manager, you'll need to lead cross-functional teams. Prepare examples of how you've mentored or developed bid teams before. Highlight your ability to coordinate multiple submissions and manage deadlines effectively.
✨Demonstrate Your Commercial Awareness
Be ready to discuss your understanding of the public and private sector tendering landscape. Share insights on how you've incorporated innovation and social value into your proposals, as this aligns with the company's focus on delivering integrated solutions.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Management
Think about your experience in managing relationships with senior leadership and operational teams. Be prepared to discuss how you've navigated stakeholder expectations and delivered compelling solutions that meet their needs.