Bid Manager

Hitachi Rail Limited; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Hitachi Rail Limited is seeking an experienced Bid Manager to own bids across the full lifecycle, from strategy to submission and handover. The role supports hybrid working and requires leadership, commercial acumen and strong collaboration with Capture Leaders and diverse teams to deliver compliant, competitive proposals.

You will coordinate multi-country bid teams, develop win themes, manage budgets and ensure timely, quality submissions that meet customer needs and governance standards.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing bids through the full bid lifecycle.
• Knowledge and application of Shipley and/or APMP Capture and Bid Management processes.
• Strong proposal planning, writing and review skills.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary bid teams.
• Excellent stakeholder and customer relationship management skills.
• Excellent commercial and contractual awareness.
• Financial acumen including budgeting, forecasting and cost-benefit analysis.
• Knowledge of project and change management techniques.
• Experience identifying and managing risks and opportunities.
• Strong resource planning and organisational skills.
• Attention to detail and strategic/analytical thinking.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and coordinate activities.

Responsibilities

• Develop bid strategies and plans and lead their execution.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary bid teams across units and countries.
• Ensure compliance with tender instructions and budgets.
• Lead governance activities and bid reviews to secure quality submissions.
• Plan, write and contribute to proposals and graphics for compelling bids.
• Manage cost estimates, risk reviews and data-driven validations.
• Support project teams with variations or claims when needed.
• Develop win themes aligned with customer requirements and business strategy.

Skills

Bid lifecycle

Shipley/APMP

Proposal planning

Leading bid teams

Stakeholder management

Commercial awareness

Budgeting & forecasting

Risk management

Resource planning

Strategic thinking

Analytical thinking

Negotiation

Influencing & persuasion

Decision making

Job description

A career at Hitachi Rail will help create a legacy. With operations in every corner of the world, our work goes to the cutting-edge of digital transformation and technology. From the multi-cultural strength of our global organisation to the sustainable and innovative ways we work to bring people together, there’s something for everyone to get stuck into. And that’s where you come in.

Job Description:

We’re looking for an experienced Bid Manager to take ownership of the successful delivery of bids throughout the full bid lifecycle, from initial strategy and planning through to submission and handover to the project team.

This role offers hybrid working, providing a balance between office-based and remote working while supporting effective collaboration with colleagues, customers and key stakeholders.

You’ll work closely with Capture Leaders and multidisciplinary teams to develop compelling, competitive and compliant bids. You’ll use your leadership, commercial awareness and influencing skills to ensure the right solution is delivered on time, within budget and in line with customer requirements.

What you’ll be doing

As Bid Manager, your key responsibilities will include:

• Developing and executing effective bid strategies and bid plans.
• Supporting the Capture Leader to develop compelling win themes and customer benefits aligned with business strategy and customer requirements.
• Leading and coordinating multidisciplinary bid teams, including multi-unit and multi-country working.
• Setting clear objectives, responsibilities, milestones and deadlines for the bid team.
• Taking accountability for the successful execution of bids in accordance with established processes, governance requirements and allocated budgets.
• Ensuring full compliance with all customer tender instructions and submission requirements.
• Managing both competitive and single-source bids.
• Developing, securing and managing bid budgets, including forecasting and managing change.
• Leading bid governance activities and associated reviews.
• Planning, coordinating and contributing directly to proposal development and writing.
• Supporting the development of graphics and visual concepts that strengthen written proposals.
• Coordinating expert peer reviews to ensure high-quality submissions.
• Managing estimating activities, including cost-benefit analysis, cost estimates and the challenge and validation of assumptions using previous experience and relevant data.
• Managing portal-based tender activities and submissions.
• Using bid libraries, previous submissions, data and performance metrics to support efficient and effective bid delivery.
• Identifying, managing and mitigating risks while maximising opportunities throughout the bid lifecycle.
• Planning and coordinating resources required to deliver bids successfully.
• Building and maintaining effective relationships with internal stakeholders, customers and other key parties.
• Promoting continuous improvement and best practice, using lessons learned and feedback to strengthen future bids and proposals.
• Providing support and guidance to project teams managing variation offers or claims.

About you

You’ll be an experienced bid professional with a strong practical understanding of the full bid lifecycle and the ability to lead complex submissions in a fast-paced environment.

You’ll ideally bring:

• Proven experience managing and delivering bids through the full bid lifecycle.
• Knowledge and practical application of Shipley and/or APMP Capture and Bid Management processes.
• Strong proposal planning, writing and review skills.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary bid teams.
• Strong stakeholder and customer relationship management skills.
• Excellent commercial and contractual awareness.
• Financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, estimating and cost-benefit analysis.
• Knowledge of project and change management techniques.
• Experience identifying and managing risks and opportunities.
• Strong resource planning and organisational skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strategic and analytical thinking, with the ability to research and analyse customer requirements and values.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities and coordinate several activities simultaneously.
• Strong collaboration and conflict-resolution skills.
• Effective negotiation, influencing and persuasion skills.
• Confident problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• The flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and encourage positive change.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and motivational skills.
• A positive, proactive and collaborative approach.

What will help you succeed

You’ll be someone who can bring people together around a common goal, build strong relationships and maintain momentum throughout demanding bid periods.

You’ll be comfortable operating strategically while also being hands-on when required, challenging assumptions constructively and ensuring the team remains focused on producing a high-quality, competitive and customer-focused submission.

The role may also involve occasional ad-hoc duties that are necessary to respond to the needs of the business. These duties will be consistent with the grade and level of responsibility of the role.

Closing date for applications is 25th October 2026.

At Hitachi Rail, there is a place for everyone. We welcome and value differences in background, age, gender, sexuality, family status, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, and world view. It is our commitment to create an inclusive environment - we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.