At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic bid team to secure high-value contracts in social housing and refurbishment.
- Company: Join a well-established contractor with a strong pipeline of exciting projects.
- Benefits: Earn £100,000 - £120,000 plus a competitive benefits package and pension scheme.
- Other info: Enjoy long-term career progression opportunities and mentor a high-performing team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving successful bids in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in bid management within construction or social housing is essential.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 120000 £ per year.
Social Housing | Planned Maintenance | Refurbishment
Full-time | Permanent | London
Leading a successful bid function delivering high-quality tender submissions across social housing, planned maintenance and refurbishment projects, offering the opportunity to join a well-established contractor with a strong pipeline of secured work.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Head of Bids to lead an established bid team responsible for securing new business across social housing, planned maintenance, refurbishment and public sector construction projects. Working closely with senior leadership, pre-construction, estimating, commercial, operational and business development teams, the successful candidate will take ownership of the bid strategy, oversee the end-to-end tender process, and drive continuous improvements to maximise bid success. This role would suit an experienced bid management professional with a proven track record of leading successful bid teams within the construction or social housing sector.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the bid team, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, winning tender submissions
- Develop and implement bid strategies to maximise success across public and private sector opportunities
- Oversee the production of PQQs, SQs, ITTs and framework submissions from initial enquiry through to submission
- Work closely with senior leadership to identify and prioritise strategic bidding opportunities
- Coordinate estimating, commercial, operational and technical teams to produce compelling bid responses
- Manage bid programmes, ensuring all submissions are completed accurately and on time
- Review and approve final submissions to ensure quality, compliance and consistency
- Maintain and continuously improve bid processes, systems and the bid content library
- Analyse bid performance, client feedback and win rates to drive continuous improvement
- Mentor, develop and support the wider bid team to achieve individual and team objectives
Requirements
- Previous experience as a Head of Bids, Bid Manager or Senior Bid Manager within construction, social housing or planned maintenance
- Proven track record of leading successful bid teams and securing high-value contracts
- Strong understanding of public sector procurement, framework agreements and tendering processes
- Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills
- Strong commercial awareness with the ability to develop winning bid strategies
- Experience managing multiple complex tenders simultaneously
- Highly organised with exceptional attention to detail
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and bid management systems
Package & Benefits
- £100,000 – £120,000 depending on experience
- Competitive benefits package
- Pension scheme
- Long-term career progression opportunities
- Opportunity to lead a high-performing bid team within a growing business
- Collaborative senior leadership environment
This role offers the opportunity to lead a successful bid function within a well-established contractor, playing a key role in securing major social housing, planned maintenance and refurbishment projects. Apply now to be considered for this opportunity.
Head of Bids in London employer: Skilled Careers
Skilled Careers is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation in the heart of Manchester. With a strong focus on employee development, we provide ample growth opportunities through training and mentorship, ensuring our team members thrive in their careers while managing exciting projects. Join us to be part of a supportive environment where your contributions are valued and rewarded.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Bids in London
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Skilled Careers, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Head of Bids at Skilled Careers.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Bids in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Skilled Careers
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
