Bid Lead (Portfolio and Bids)

Connected Places Catapult; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 51,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

9-day fortnight

23.5 holiday entitlement

Competitive pension

Two paid days of volunteering leave

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Cycle to Work Scheme

Cash Health Plan

Payroll Giving scheme

Discounts from retailers

Mortgage Advice benefit

Job summary

A leading innovation and research organization in the UK seeks a Bid Specialist to enhance bid submission successes. Responsibilities include overseeing bid activities, managing the bid pipeline, and collaborating with teams to ensure high-quality submissions. The ideal candidate has at least 4 years’ experience in bid management, strong planning skills, and proficiency in CRM tools. Competitive salary with several benefits, including a pension plan and flexible working arrangements.

Qualifications

• Minimum 4 years’ experience in bid management with successful bids.
• Strong planning, prioritisation, and workload management skills.
• Experience managing multiple complex, high-value bids simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Manage submission of bids and proposals for strategic priorities.
• Ensure timely, high-quality, compliant submissions.
• Identify UK procurement frameworks and tender opportunities.

Skills

Bid management

Planning

Workload management

Attention to detail

Communication

Presentation skills

Collaboration

CRM tools

MS Office 365

Tools

Dynamics365

Power BI

Job description

Bid Specialist

Department: Built Environment & Local Growth

Locations: London, Milton Keynes

Application Deadline: 10 December 2025

Internal Job Code: RC044

Closing date: 9am on 10 December 2025

Compensation: £51,000 - £62,000 / year

Contract type: Permanent

Working hours: Full time (9‑day fortnight companywide)

Band: 3.1

Salary: £51,000 - £62,000 (depending on office location and proven ability)

Reports to: Head of Built Environment & Local Growth Operations

Office requirement: Milton Keynes or London; minimum two days per week in the office, with option for more days

Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level

Employment type: Full-time

Job function: Sales and Business Development

Industry: Research

The Role

The primary focus of this role is to manage the submission of bids and proposals that maximise the Catapult’s chances of winning work, and align with the organisation’s strategic priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage bid activities to ensure timely, high‑quality, and compliant submissions.
• Identify and qualify UK procurement frameworks and tender opportunities via relevant portals.
• Manage the bid pipeline, track performance, and drive continuous improvement.
• Integrate lessons learned and market feedback into future bids.
• Develop strategic bid campaigns aligned with customer requirements.
• Provide analysis and insights to support business unit decision‑making and prioritisation.
• Ensure all opportunities and stakeholder engagements are accurately documented in the CRM.
• Oversee the bids and approvals process, ensuring CRM data integrity for reporting.
• Collaborate across the organisation to align with internal processes and systems.
• Deliver analytics and guidance on revenue, account management, utilisation, and capacity planning.
• Champion new systems and processes, supporting colleagues through change.
• Promote best practices in bid management and drive continuous improvement with operations and delivery teams.
• Foster equity, inclusivity, and diversity in all activities and contribute to inclusive innovation.
• Perform other duties as required to support strategic objectives and effective operations.

Skills and Experience

Required

• Minimum 4 years’ experience in bid management with a record of successful bids.
• Strong planning, prioritisation, and workload management skills.
• Experience managing multiple complex, high‑value bids simultaneously.
• High attention to detail and process compliance.
• Proven ability to work with internal and external partners for successful submissions.
• Creative approach to identifying bidding and commercial opportunities.
• Experience navigating internal governance and approval processes.
• Proficient in CRM tools for tracking customer engagement and revenue opportunities.
• Professionalism, resilience, and strong self‑awareness.
• Excellent facilitation, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships across diverse teams.
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office 365.

Desirable

• Experience with research applications (e.g., Horizon Europe, Innovate UK).
• APMP Foundation or equivalent bid qualification.
• Familiarity with Dynamics365 and Power BI.
• Experience embedding new systems within organisations.

Competencies

• Encourage creative thinking and systems‑based problem solving.
• Build effective networks and use influence to overcome challenges.
• Represent the customer perspective in all activities.
• Manage communications across teams and stakeholders, and contribute to publications and events.
• Advocate for inclusion and sustainability.

Benefits

• 9‑day fortnight for everyone
• 23.5 holiday entitlement for everyone, with pro‑rata calculations for part‑time employees, plus a Christmas shutdown period for additional days off.
• Competitive pension – up to 10% company contribution to help you save for your future.
• Two paid days of volunteering leave per year (pro‑rata for part‑time employees).
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing 24/7 confidential work/life support services to you and your immediate family members.
• Cycle to Work Scheme encouraging a healthy and sustainable commute.
• Cash Health Plan offering reimbursement for a wide range of essential and everyday healthcare expenses, promoting your well‑being.
• Payroll Giving scheme allowing regular charitable contributions from pre‑tax income, maximizing the impact of your donations.
• Discounts and offers from a wide variety of retailers, enhancing your purchasing power and providing savings opportunities.
• Mortgage Advice benefit, delivered in partnership with Charles Cameron & Associates – provides employees with free, expert mortgage advice and end‑to‑end mortgage support from the application process through to completion.