Bid Manager in Reading

Ultima are in need of an additional proactive and detail-driven Bid Manager to join our high-performing Bid Team. In this role, you’ll lead the end-to-end management of strategic bids and proposals across our commercial and public sector clients, helping us win new business and grow key accounts. You’ll work closely with sales, technical experts, and leadership to craft compelling, high-quality submissions that clearly articulate our value proposition.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment and is passionate about creating persuasive, client-focused content that wins.

• Lead the coordination, development, and submission of high-quality bids, proposals, and tender responses.
• Create persuasive responses, finding a clear win theme for Ultima and demonstrate strengths to the customer.
• Qualify opportunities and assess bid viability, working closely with sales and delivery teams to shape winning strategies.
• Develop tailored content that aligns with client objectives, clearly communicates value, and differentiates our offering.
• Facilitate bid kick-off meetings, manage timelines, and ensure all stakeholders are aligned throughout the bid lifecycle.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts to gather technical, commercial, and compliance information.
• Attend client meetings and presentations to support bid clarification and negotiation stages.
• Maintain and evolve our bid library and knowledge base to drive continuous improvement and efficiency.
• Conduct post-bid reviews to capture lessons learned and contribute to improving win rates and bid quality.
• Support the development of sales enablement materials and contribute to broader business development initiatives.

• Organisation skills are core to managing the dependence on key resources from across the business.
• Time management to have the ability to own bids from initial definition through to submission and subsequent closure with minimal supervision.
• Excellent customer-facing skills, with the ability to present a bid to senior staff, alongside the Ultima development/virtual team.
• An eye for detail, and a thorough and methodical approach to quality assurance and the development of own work.
• Advanced user of the Microsoft Office suite of products (specifically Word, Excel and PowerPoint).

• Ideally (but not essential), previous experience working for an IT Reseller, Solutions Provider or similar services organisation in the IT industry.
• Three or more years practical bid or proposal writing experience, ideally for technology solutions.
• Certification to APMP’s Bid and Proposal Management foundation would be a plus.
• Awareness of structured Project and Service Delivery methodologies such as PRINCE2 and ITILv3 would be advantageous. Qualifications to at least foundation in either would be a benefit, but not mandatory.
• Skills in Adobe Creative Cloud would be beneficial, but not mandatory - specifically InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator.

• Ownership - Following existing processes, maintain a logical, structured and analytical approach to the completion of bids and proposals, undertaking all facets of presales development, often working under strict deadlines and while being commercially aware at all times.
• Portfolio Management - Maintain excellent time management skills with the flexibility and ability to manage multiple bids at the same time, whilst maintaining a clear focus on their immediate and individual requirements.
• Communications - Excellent communication skills and be able to establish a strong working relationship with both the Sales and Services teams, as well as Customers, giving a professional impression at all times.
• Work Ethic - Develop good team-working skills with the ability to work independently as and when required. Maintain a high level of self-organisation, motivation and independence.