Bid Design Manager

Velocity Recruitment; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 74,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

Velocity Recruitment is seeking a Bid Design Manager in London. The role focuses on the design management aspect of bids, reviewing tender documents, identifying design risks, and coordinating design strategy to win work.

You will partner with senior stakeholders and multi-disciplinary bid teams across Commercial and Government Frameworks, ensuring design information is coordinated, buildable, and clearly priced within bid submissions. Immediate freelance start in a hybrid London office.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Design Manager focusing on bids and tenders.
• Background in fit-out, refurbishment, or interior construction.
• Experience in a main contractor or Design & Build environment.
• Deep understanding of design coordination, buildability, and technical detailing.
• Proven ability to manage multiple stakeholders and design consultants under tight bid deadlines.
• Sharp commercial awareness and the ability to influence design for cost and programme benefits.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage the design information required specifically for bid submissions.
• Review the client's design requirements (Employer's Requirements) to spot technical risks and cost-saving opportunities.
• Challenge and critique incoming design information to ensure it aligns with the overall bid strategy.
• Act as the technical design expert within the bid team, helping to write and review quality tender answers.
• Manage and brief external design consultants to ensure their proposals support the bid's commercial goals.
• Work closely with estimators and bid writers to ensure the design solution is accurately priced and clearly explained in the final submission.

Skills

Bid design management

Stakeholder coordination

Design coordination

Cost & programme influence

Job description

Position: Bid Design Manager

Location: London (Hybrid - min 4 days in office)

Salary: £400 - £470 per day (PAYE - Inside IR35)

Contract: Freelance, Ongoing Portfolio

We are working with a leading UK main contractor specialising in high-quality fit-out and refurbishment across commercial, public sector, and corporate environments.

Role Overview

As the Bid Design Manager, you will focus strictly on the design management aspect of putting together winning bids. Rather than managing live projects, your role is to review tender documents, challenge design risks, and help coordinate the design strategy needed to secure new work. You will partner with senior stakeholders and multi-disciplinary bid teams to secure strategically important projects across Commercial and Government Frameworks.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage the design information required specifically for bid submissions.
• Review the client's design requirements (Employer's Requirements) to spot technical risks and cost-saving opportunities.
• Challenge and critique incoming design information to ensure it aligns with the overall bid strategy.
• Act as the technical design expert within the bid team, helping to write and review quality tender answers.
• Manage and brief external design consultants to ensure their proposals support the bid's commercial goals.
• Work closely with estimators and bid writers to ensure the design solution is accurately priced and clearly explained in the final submission.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a Design Manager with a strong focus on bids and tenders.
• Solid background in fit-out, refurbishment, or interior construction.
• Experience working within a main contractor or Design & Build (D&B) environment.
• Deep understanding of design coordination, buildability, and technical detailing.
• Proven ability to manage multiple stakeholders and design consultants under tight bid deadlines.
• Sharp commercial awareness and the ability to influence design for cost and programme benefits.
• Confident communicator in both technical and client-facing settings.

What's on Offer

• £400 - £470 per day (PAYE - Inside IR35).
• Hybrid working arrangement (minimum 4 days in the London office).
• Opportunity to work on high-profile, design-led workspace projects.
• Immediate start available.

If you are a Design Manager who thrives in a bid environment and you are looking for your next freelance opportunity in London, we would love to hear from you