Bid Manager

Fawkes & Reece London; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Birmingham Construction is seeking an experienced Bid Manager to lead end-to-end tender campaigns for major projects in Birmingham and beyond. The role requires taking ownership from opportunity review through to final submission, coordinating estimators, pre-construction and senior leaders to craft clear, persuasive client proposals.

You'll bring two-stage tendering experience, strong written and verbal communication, and a strategic, commercially aware approach to bidding.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a Bid Manager, Proposals Manager or similar role within a Tier 1/main contractor environment.
• Strong experience managing construction tenders from strategy through to submission.
• Ideally, demonstrable experience of two-stage tendering.
• DfE / Education sector experience is highly desirable.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Turn technical and commercial information into compelling client-facing content.
• Strong stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and a strong understanding of tender compliance.
• Manage multiple deadlines and competing priorities.
• Experience preparing presentations and supporting tender interviews.
• Commercially aware and strategic approach to bidding.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the end-to-end bid process for major construction opportunities.
• Develop bid strategies, win themes, executive summaries and high-quality tender responses.
• Work closely with estimating, pre-construction, planning and operational teams to develop strong and credible submissions.
• Translate complex technical and commercial information into clear, compelling client-facing content.
• Take ownership of bid quality, compliance, consistency and presentation.
• Manage multiple live tenders, stakeholders and deadlines effectively.
• Review tender requirements and ensure submissions are fully compliant.
• Support the preparation of client presentations, interviews and tender meetings.
• Challenge information, identify gaps and work with project teams to strengthen submissions.
• Work closely with senior leadership to ensure bids align with wider business and client strategies.
• Identify opportunities to improve bid processes, quality and overall effectiveness.
• Support the continued development of the wider bids and proposals function.

Job description

Bid Manager - Tier 1 Main Contractor

Birmingham Construction

The Opportunity

A leading Tier 1 main contractor is looking to appoint an experienced Bid Manager to join its growing Birmingham operation and play a key role in securing major construction opportunities across an expanding client base.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced bids professional who enjoys taking ownership of major tenders and working closely with estimators, pre-construction managers, planners and senior leadership to develop compelling, commercially focused submissions.

The successful candidate will manage the bid process from initial opportunity review through to final submission, bringing together technical, commercial and operational information to create clear, persuasive and client-focused proposals.

The business is continuing to diversify into new sectors, creating an opportunity for someone who can bring strong bid experience and help shape how the business presents itself to both existing and new clients.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the end-to-end bid process for major construction opportunities.
• Develop bid strategies, win themes, executive summaries and high-quality tender responses.
• Work closely with estimating, pre-construction, planning and operational teams to develop strong and credible submissions.
• Translate complex technical and commercial information into clear, compelling client-facing content.
• Take ownership of bid quality, compliance, consistency and presentation.
• Manage multiple live tenders, stakeholders and deadlines effectively.
• Review tender requirements and ensure submissions are fully compliant.
• Support the preparation of client presentations, interviews and tender meetings.
• Challenge information, identify gaps and work with project teams to strengthen submissions.
• Work closely with senior leadership to ensure bids align with wider business and client strategies.
• Identify opportunities to improve bid processes, quality and overall effectiveness.
• Support the continued development of the wider bids and proposals function.

Two-Stage Tender Experience

Experience of two-stage tendering within a Tier 1/main contractor environment is highly desirable.

You should understand the different approach required when bidding for a project through a two-stage procurement route, including:

• Early contractor involvement and pre-construction services.
• Developing project methodologies at an early stage of design.
• Demonstrating pre-construction and technical capability.
• Working with estimators, planners and pre-construction teams to develop project solutions.
• Identifying value engineering and buildability opportunities.
• Developing construction strategies and programmes while scope and design are evolving.
• Understanding collaboration, risk management and client relationships within a two-stage environment.
• Preparing presentations and interview material to support two-stage appointments.
• Developing bid strategies and client propositions alongside senior stakeholders.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will have:

• Proven experience in a Bid Manager, Proposals Manager or similar role within a Tier 1/main contractor environment.
• Strong experience managing construction tenders from strategy through to submission.
• Ideally, demonstrable experience of two-stage tendering.
• DfE / Education sector experience is highly desirable.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to turn technical and commercial information into compelling client-facing content.
• Strong stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and a strong understanding of tender compliance.
• The ability to manage multiple deadlines and competing priorities.
• Experience preparing presentations and supporting tender interviews.
• A commercially aware and strategic approach to bidding.

Experience across Education/DfE, Retail, Stadia/Sports, Commercial or similar sectors would be advantageous.

Why Join?

This is an opportunity to join a growing Tier 1 main contractor at an exciting stage of its development.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Take ownership of major and strategically important tenders.
• Work closely with senior leadership and key decision-makers.
• Influence how the business presents itself to clients.
• Support growth into new sectors and markets.
• Work alongside an experienced pre-construction and commercial team.
• Make a genuine impact on the quality and success of the company's bids.