Creative Bid Manager

BidRecruitment; Manchester; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

BidRecruitment in Manchester is seeking a Creative Bid Manager to lead the end-to-end production of bids, blending content, management and design responsibilities.

Based in Manchester, this permanent role offers training in the creative side and a culture that values visual storytelling. Strong InDesign skills and a passion for design are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience managing bids from start to finish.
• Strong written communication and content-writing skills.
• Excellent InDesign skills and visual design understanding.
• Creativity mindset with attention to detail.
• Ability to turn complex information into clear proposal content.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end bid production, combining content writing, bid management and creative design.
• Create bespoke, visually engaging tender documents, interview presentations and pitch materials, using InDesign and other creative tools.
• Work with subject matter experts across the business to gather information and turn technical content into clear, compelling and visually engaging proposal content.
• Work closely with Contract Managers to develop win strategies and key win themes, ensuring these are reflected consistently throughout each submission.
• Collaborate with marketing, pre-construction and construction teams to develop content, imagery and ideas that bring proposals to life.
• Research prospective clients to understand their brand, values, priorities and objectives, using this insight to tailor the creative approach of each bid.
• Think creatively about how information is presented, continually looking for ways to make proposals more engaging, memorable and differentiated from competitors.
• Have real creative input into the structure, layout, design and visual storytelling of each submission.
• Take ownership of the overall content, quality, design and compliance of bids, ensuring every submission is delivered on time and to a high standard.

Skills

Bid management

Content writing

Creative design

Stakeholder management

Communication

InDesign proficiency

Tools

InDesign

Job description

A successful fit out business is looking for a Creative Bid Manager to join its growing team on a permanent, full-time basis.

Based in Manchester, this is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Bid Manager who wants to bring a much more creative and design-led approach to bid production.

This isn't a traditional Bid Manager role where the focus is purely on coordinating submissions and pulling content together. You will have real ownership of the look, feel, content and overall presentation of proposal documents, using your creative skills to produce bespoke, engaging bids that stand out from the competition.

The role would suit someone with strong InDesign skills, excellent written communication and a genuine creative flair. Equally, it could be ideal for an experienced Bid Manager who already has an interest in design but hasn't had the opportunity to use those skills extensively within their current role.

You will join a supportive team of three, with training and development available on the creative and design side for anyone looking to take their skills further.

Main Duties

• Lead the end-to-end production of bids, combining content writing, bid management and creative design to produce high-quality submissions
• Create bespoke, visually engaging tender documents, interview presentations and pitch materials, using InDesign and other creative tools
• Work with subject matter experts across the business to gather information and turn technical content into clear, compelling and visually engaging proposal content
• Work closely with Contract Managers to develop win strategies and key win themes, ensuring these are reflected consistently throughout each submission
• Collaborate with marketing, pre-construction and construction teams to develop content, imagery and ideas that bring proposals to life
• Research prospective clients to understand their brand, values, priorities and objectives, using this insight to tailor the creative approach of each bid
• Think creatively about how information is presented, continually looking for ways to make proposals more engaging, memorable and differentiated from competitors
• Have real creative input into the structure, layout, design and visual storytelling of each submission
• Take ownership of the overall content, quality, design and compliance of bids, ensuring every submission is delivered on time and to a high standard

About You

We're looking for someone who combines strong bid management experience with a genuine passion for creativity and design.

You may already be a Proposal Manager, or you could be an experienced Bid Manager who has strong InDesign skills and is looking for a role where the creative side of bid production is given much more importance.

You'll ideally have:

• Experience managing bids from start to finish
• Strong written communication and content-writing skills
• Excellent InDesign skills and a good understanding of visual design
• A creative mindset and an eye for detail
• The ability to turn complex information into clear, engaging proposal content
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
• A desire to continually improve how bids look, feel and communicate

Most importantly, you'll be someone who enjoys creating proposals rather than simply managing the bid process and wants the opportunity to push the creative side of work-winning further.