Bid Writer

Around the world, SYSTRA’s specialists plan, design, integrate, test, commission, project manage and deliver mass transit and mobility solutions that are relied on by more than 50 million people every day. For more than 60 years, the Group has been committed to helping cities and regions contribute to their development by creating, improving and modernising their transport infrastructure with sustainability, accessibility and innovation at the heart of our designs. With over 10,300 colleagues globally and around 1000 in the UK & Ireland, we are growing significantly and seeking out the very best talent to join the SYSTRA signature team and be part of leading the way in infrastructure design.

As part of SYSTRA’s bid team, you will play a key role in contributing to the expansion of our business by being a champion for the Quality aspect of bidding. The Bid Writer will work directly with subject matter experts, seeking guidance from the Senior Bid Writer and Bid Manager as required. For larger bids, the Bid Writer will work as an integral part of the Bid Team, supporting Subject Matter Experts to craft and/or review responses to ensure they meet the client’s tender requirements and score maximum marks in evaluation. To support smaller bids, the Bid Writer will help to provide suitable resources such as guidance and model responses, and provide advice and support to technical staff as needed. From time to time, you may also be required to manage the overall bid production for smaller/less complex bids.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

• Work with the Bid Directors and Bid Managers to develop a proposal structure and produce written bid responses and presentation collateral in line with deadlines.
• Reviewing and editing previously written content where necessary, working with other bid team members and wider SYSTRA group employees to gather evidence and craft compelling win themes/propositions.
• Write effective, concise, and compelling content while under the pressure of deadlines.
• Writing content for bid presentations and all supporting documentation, ensuring a cohesive and consistent alignment to bid submissions.
• Construct a response which pulls together information gleaned from a variety of sources in a format which is both interesting and comprehensive.
• Support the development of the bid library content.
• Support the wider Bid Team by undertaking the management of selected bids during busier periods.
• Engage with clients on each opportunity to ensure thorough understanding of their current and future needs.
• Review preliminary bid documents to recommend go/no go decisions in line with our business strategy to maximise the probability of success.
• Be familiar with the design and technical capabilities, and operational processes and procedures and team leaders within SYSTRA group.
• Engage with the broader UK organisation to develop close working relationships and leverage joint technical capability.
• Write key elements of the bid responses with assistance from colleagues as needed and ensuring commercial requirements and risks are considered and mitigated.
• Champion continuous improvement through lessons learnt for future bids/proposals.
• Develop and deliver progress reports and presentations to internal stakeholders.
• Demonstrate behaviours aligned with SYSTRA’s behavioural framework by actively fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, respect, and empowerment, contributing to an environment where all colleagues can thrive, achieve and grow together.

People & Stakeholder Accountabilities

• Promoting and sustaining a constructive, supportive, and collaborative working relationship with clients, external and internal, and all SYSTRA colleagues.
• Planning, assigning and managing bid related tasks to a range of colleagues as required.
• Supporting bid related training and development for a range of colleagues as required.

Profile / Skills

• Proven track record of successful bid/proposal quality response delivery with a good understanding of commercial and contract terms.
• Ability to understand client needs and translate these into concrete technical solutions.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of cross-cultural teams across different time zones.
• Ability to make decisions in time-pressured situations.
• Ability to write concise and accurate answers in good English.
• Experience in InDesign and similar design packages is desirable.
• Professional approach with the ability to motivate others.
• Good transport and infrastructure knowledge and the willingness and ability to learn quickly.
• Self-motivated with excellent personal time management skills.

Qualifications

• Relevant Qualification – ideally degree level or equivalent experience.