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- Tasks: Lead the bidding process and ensure high-quality submissions for public-sector projects.
- Company: Join the National Centre for Social Research, a leader in social research and policy.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous holiday, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with strong support for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping bids that influence social policy and research.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in winning bids and leading proposal writing.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Application Deadline: 11 May 2026
Department: Policy Research Centre
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: London (Hybrid)
Reporting To: Joy Mhonda
Competitive salary (depending on experience)
Role details:
- Location: London (Hybrid - 3 days in the London office, 2 days from home)
- Reporting to: Director, Policy Research Centre
- Team: Lead a small New Business team (Bid Manager + Administrator)
The National Centre for Social Research are hiring a senior bid leader to take ownership of their new business and bidding function. You’ll bring structure, pace and consistently high standards to how NatCen shape opportunities and deliver bids, working closely with Directors and research leaders.
Key Responsibilities:
- Own the bid function end-to-end - set the standard, shape how we work, and make sure bids are planned, written and submitted with confidence and consistency.
- Lead high-stakes bids - steer complex, high-value submissions, bring clarity to the story, and apply rigorous quality checks before anything goes out of the door.
- Bring pace and accountability - run kick-offs and check-ins, lock timelines, unblock teams and keep everyone aligned, so bids don't drift.
- Improve how NatCen shows up to commissioners - strengthen messaging, positioning and 'why us' so bids read clearly and reflect NatCen's credibility.
- Build a repeatable 'bid playbook' - templates, strong examples, and a shared approach so teams can produce high-quality bids.
- Drive smarter ways of working - embed learning from outcomes, improve turnaround time and consistency, and introduce AI/automation where it genuinely reduces manual effort and raises quality.
- Strengthen collaboration - partner closely with Directors and Research Directors and help shape partnerships that make bids stronger and more competitive.
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise:
- Proven track record of winning competitive public-sector bids/tenders and leading proposal writing.
- Good understanding of the research/policy commissioning landscape and what strong bids look like.
- Confident, collaborative style, able to influence senior stakeholders and hold high standards.
- Comfortable owning the function (not just facilitating) and improving processes that teams will actually use.
- A research background is helpful (social research ideal), but not essential if you've led bids in a similar environment.
- If you're a bid leader who enjoys improving quality, strengthening ways of working and helping teams win the right work, we'd love to hear from you.
Job Benefits:
- 25 days holiday (plus 8 bank holidays) rising to 30 days after 3 years of service.
- Flexible working
- Generous company pension scheme
- Life insurance and health cash plan
- Cycle to Work scheme and season ticket loan
- Career development, professional subscriptions support and mentoring support from industry-leading experts.
Head of Bids & New Business employer: the National Centre for Social Research
Contact Detail:
the National Centre for Social Research Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Bids & New Business
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those who work at NatCen or similar organisations. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info on the bidding process.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising your pitch. Highlight your experience with high-stakes bids and how you've improved processes in the past. We want to see your confidence shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your collaborative spirit! Be ready to discuss how you've worked with senior stakeholders and led teams to success. We love candidates who can bring people together to achieve great results.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at NatCen.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Bids & New Business
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Bids & New Business role. Highlight your experience with public-sector bids and how you've led teams to success. We want to see how you can bring structure and high standards to our bidding function!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of successful bids you've led. Use metrics where possible to demonstrate your impact. This will help us understand your capability in steering complex submissions and delivering results.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key! Make sure your points are easy to read and get straight to the point. We appreciate a well-structured application that reflects the same clarity we aim for in our bids.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at the National Centre for Social Research
✨Know Your Bids Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the bidding process and the specific requirements of the role. Familiarise yourself with successful bids in the public sector and be ready to discuss your own experiences leading high-stakes submissions.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Bids & New Business, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead teams effectively. Prepare examples of how you've managed teams, driven accountability, and improved processes in previous roles. Highlight your collaborative style and how it has influenced senior stakeholders.
✨Bring Your Bid Playbook
Be ready to discuss your approach to creating a 'bid playbook'. Share any templates or strategies you've developed that have led to successful bids. This shows that you not only understand the process but can also bring structure and consistency to the team.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Talk about how you've implemented smarter ways of working in past roles. Discuss any experiences where you've used AI or automation to enhance bid quality and turnaround times. This will demonstrate your commitment to improving processes and delivering high-quality results.