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- Tasks: Lead and manage strategic bids to win new business and grow key accounts.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at Ultima, a leader in IT solutions.
- Benefits: Remote work, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for continuous improvement and learning.
- Why this job: Make an impact by crafting persuasive proposals that showcase our value.
- Qualifications: Strong organisational skills and experience in bid writing preferred.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
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.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES- 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.
Bid Writing Manager in Reading employer: Ultima
Contact Detail:
Ultima Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Bid Writing Manager in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the hunt for a Bid Writing Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity!
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your pitch! When you land that interview, be ready to showcase your skills in bid management. Prepare examples of how you've led successful bids and how you can bring value to Ultima. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 3
Tailor your approach! Research Ultima and understand their values and objectives. Use this knowledge to craft your responses during interviews, showing how your experience aligns with their needs and how you can help them win more business.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After interviews or networking events, send a quick thank-you note. It shows professionalism and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great way to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role!
We think you need these skills to ace Bid Writing Manager in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Bid Writing Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in bid management and showcase how your skills align with our key accountabilities. We want to see how you can contribute to our high-performing Bid Team!
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Use specific examples from your past experiences that illustrate your organisation, time management, and communication skills. We love seeing how you've successfully managed bids and proposals in the past.
Be Persuasive: Remember, this is a role about crafting compelling content. Your application should reflect your ability to create persuasive narratives. Make it clear why you’re the best fit for us and how you can help win new business for Ultima.
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. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ultima
✨Know Your Bids Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the bid process and the specific requirements of the role. Familiarise yourself with Ultima's previous bids and proposals, and be ready to discuss how you would approach crafting compelling submissions that align with their value proposition.
✨Showcase Your Organisation Skills
Since organisation is key for this role, prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to manage multiple bids simultaneously. Discuss how you've successfully coordinated teams and timelines in past projects, ensuring all stakeholders were aligned throughout the bid lifecycle.
✨Highlight Your Communication Prowess
Excellent communication skills are essential for a Bid Writing Manager. Be prepared to share instances where you've effectively communicated complex ideas to clients or team members. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, as you'll need to present bids to senior staff.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Talk about your commitment to learning and improving bid quality. Share experiences where you've conducted post-bid reviews or contributed to evolving a bid library. This shows that you're not just focused on winning bids but also on enhancing processes for future success.