Bid Manager - 2nd Stage.

Wates Smartspace; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Car allowance / company car

Travel to sites

Job summary

Wates is recruiting a Bid Manager for the West Region to lead the 2nd stage/PCSA delivery, transitioning from preferred bidder to contract award. You will collaborate with design, commercial and delivery teams to shape buildable, commercially viable solutions.

In this role you will manage risk, build strong client relationships and drive governance across programmes, ensuring a smooth handover into delivery teams. Based in Manchester or Birmingham with site travel.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Bid Manager within a Tier One/ Two contractor, with a strong focus on 2nd stage / PCSA delivery.
• Experience working on complex, public sector schemes – MOJ experience highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of design development, commercial strategy and pre-construction delivery
• Ability to build credible, long-term client relationships and influence outcomes.
• Confident leading cross-functional teams and managing stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to manage risk and programme.

Responsibilities

• Lead the 2nd stage / PCSA process, managing delivery from preferred bidder to contract award
• Develop and deliver a conversion strategy aligned to client objectives and business targets
• Work closely with Design, Commercial and Operations teams to ensure solutions are coordinated, buildable and commercially viable
• Build and maintain strong client, consultant and stakeholder relationships to support successful contract conversion
• Manage risk, value engineering and design development through the pre-construction phase
• Lead governance, ensuring all internal approvals, cost plans and programmes are aligned and robust
• Support a seamless handover into delivery teams, setting projects up for success

Skills

Bid management

2nd stage / PCSA

Stakeholder management

Public sector experience

Commercial awareness

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Bid Manager – 2nd Stage / PCSA (Construction – West Region)

Wates are seeking a talented Bid Manager specialising in 2nd stage delivery to join our dynamic Construction team in the West Region ( Manchester or Birmingham) working with our clients, including the MOJ.

This is a pivotal role within our Pre-Construction function, focused on converting successful bids through PCSA into contract award, working closely with design, commercial and delivery teams to shape high-quality, buildable solutions. If you thrive in a collaborative, delivery-focused environment and enjoy turning strong client relationships into secured projects, we'd love to hear from you.

The Role

Our 2nd Stage Bid Managers play a critical role beyond the initial win. In this position, you'll lead the second stage process, ensuring projects transition smoothly from preferred bidder through to contract close, maintaining momentum, managing risk, and strengthening client confidence. You'll work across internal and external teams, driving alignment between design development, commercial strategy and programme, while maintaining a strong focus on client outcomes.

What you'll be doing

• Lead the 2nd stage / PCSA process, managing delivery from preferred bidder to contract award
• Develop and deliver a conversion strategy aligned to client objectives and business targets
• Work closely with Design, Commercial and Operations teams to ensure solutions are coordinated, buildable and commercially viable
• Build and maintain strong client, consultant and stakeholder relationships to support successful contract conversion
• Manage risk, value engineering and design development through the pre-construction phase
• Lead governance, ensuring all internal approvals, cost plans and programmes are aligned and robust
• Support a seamless handover into delivery teams, setting projects up for success

What we're looking for

• Proven experience as a Bid Manager within a Tier One/ Two contractor, with a strong focus on 2nd stage / PCSA delivery
• Experience working on complex, public sector schemes – MOJ experience highly desirable
• Strong understanding of design development, commercial strategy and pre-construction delivery
• Ability to build credible, long-term client relationships and influence outcomes
• Confident leading cross-functional teams and managing stakeholders at all levels
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to manage risk and programme

What we offer

• Competitive salary & bonus
• Car allowance / company car
• Travel covered to any of our sites (subject to HMRC advisory rates)
• Private medical, 8% pension, wellbeing support and more
• 26 days holiday + bank holidays
• Industry-leading family leave benefits
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities

Our Commitments

Wates is proud to be an employer where anyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and value transferable skills.

We are a Disability Confident Leader and offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria. Reasonable adjustments are available – please contact [e-mail]