Bid Manager - 1st Stage

Wates Group; Stretford; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Wates Construction is seeking a commercially astute Bid Manager to lead Stage 1 work-winning opportunities from qualification to submission and award. You will coordinate multidisciplinary teams across estimating, design, commercial, planning, operations and supply chain to craft compelling, high-quality submissions that differentiate us to clients.

The role focuses on developing winning strategies, managing bid budgets and timelines, and building strong client and stakeholder relationships to

Qualifications

• Experience leading bids for Tier 1 contractors or major construction projects.
• Knowledge of two-stage procurement, frameworks and negotiated opportunities.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead Stage 1 bids from qualification through submission and award.
• Develop bid strategies aligned to client drivers and market positioning.
• Coordinate input from estimating, design, commercial, planning, operations and supply chain.

Skills

Bid leadership

Two-stage procurement

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional leadership

Pre-construction understanding

Commercial awareness

Organisational skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Customer-focused

Job description

Bid Manager – Stage 1 Work Winning

Location: Trafford Manchester with travel as required.

Reporting to: Pre-Construction Director

Shape Winning Opportunities from the Start

At Wates Construction, we're looking for a commercially astute and relationship-focused Bid Manager to lead our Stage 1 tender opportunities and help secure some of the UK's most exciting construction projects.

This is a pivotal role within our pre-construction team, responsible for leading multidisciplinary bid teams, developing winning strategies and translating client requirements into compelling, high-quality submissions that set us apart from the competition. You'll be at the heart of our work-winning process, bringing together experts from design, estimating, commercial, planning, operations and supply chain to create solutions that deliver value for customers and communities alike.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage Stage 1 bids from opportunity qualification through to submission and award.
• Develop and own bid strategies aligned to client drivers, procurement routes and market positioning.
• Coordinate input from estimating, design, commercial, planning, operational and supply chain teams.
• Drive programme compliance, governance and quality throughout the bid lifecycle.
• Build strong relationships with customers, consultants and key stakeholders to gain a deep understanding of project objectives and success criteria.
• Facilitate bid workshops, reviews, technical assessments and settlement meetings.
• Ensure bid submissions are compelling, customer-focused and clearly articulate our value proposition.
• Manage bid budgets, resources and timescales to achieve successful outcomes.
• Identify risks and opportunities, developing mitigation strategies and innovative solutions where appropriate.
• Promote our commitments to safety, sustainability, social value and quality throughout the work-winning process.

About You

You'll be an experienced Bid Manager, Pre-Construction Manager or Senior Work Winning professional with a proven track record of securing complex construction projects.

You'll Bring

• Experience leading bids within a Tier 1 contractor or major construction environment.
• Strong understanding of two-stage procurement, frameworks and negotiated opportunities.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• The ability to lead cross-functional teams and bring people together behind a common objective.
• Strong commercial awareness and an understanding of pre-construction processes.
• Exceptional organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities.
• High-quality written and verbal communication skills.
• A collaborative, customer-focused approach with a passion for winning work.

Why Join Us?

At Wates, you'll be part of an ambitious work-winning team that is helping shape the future of the built environment. We offer the opportunity to work on major projects, develop your career within a market-leading contractor and be part of a business committed to innovation, sustainability and creating thriving communities.