Head of Bids

Bid Solutions; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days holiday

Private medical insurance

5% employer pension contribution

Life assurance

Wellbeing benefits

City centre offices

Job summary

Bid Solutions in Cardiff is seeking a Head of Bids to lead the firm’s bid function in a senior, influential role. You will own bid activity across private sector and housing clients, including large regulatory and public sector framework submissions.

You’ll also manage the Bid Manager and help build the team’s capability. You’ll lead tenders from planning through to submission, run bid/no-bid decisions with partners, shape win themes and pricing, and forecast bid activity in line with growth

Qualifications

• Experience leading bids in professional services or law.
• Ability to advise partners and senior stakeholders with confidence.
• Knowledge of legal/public sector frameworks is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead tenders, panel reviews and framework bids from planning to submission.
• Run bid/no-bid decisions to optimize effort.
• Shape win themes, case studies and pricing with partners.
• Mentor the Bid Manager and develop the team’s capability.
• Build forward pipeline and forecast bid activity per growth plans.
• Improve processes, templates and content library, including AI use.
• Report on win rates and lessons learned to Partners and board.

Skills

Bid management

People leadership

Stakeholder guidance

APMP knowledge

Forecasting

Tools

AI tools

Job description

Head of Bids

Cardiff / Hybrid | Permanent, Full time | up to £80,000 plus benefits

An established commercial law firm in Cardiff is looking for a Head of Bids to lead its bid function. It's a senior role with real influence, working closely with the Managing Partners and Head of Business Development.

You’ll own the firm’s bid activity across private sector and housing clients, including large regulatory and public sector framework submissions that come round each year. Alongside running bids yourself, you’ll manage and support the firm’s Bid Manager and help build the team’s capability.

What the role involves:

• Leading tenders, panel reviews and framework bids from early planning through to submission and debrief
• Running bid/no-bid decisions with partners so effort goes where the firm is best placed to win
• Shaping win themes, case studies and pricing approach with partners and fee earners
• Managing and developing the Bid Manager
• Building a forward pipeline and forecasting bid activity in line with the firm’s growth plans
• Improving processes, templates and the content library, including sensible use of AI tools
• Reporting on win rates and lessons learned to the Managing Partners and board

What they’re looking for:

• Experience leading bids in a law firm or another professional services business
• Knowledge of legal panel or public sector frameworks (government or housing would be valuable)
• Experience managing or mentoring bid professionals
• The confidence to advise partners and senior stakeholders, and to challenge when needed
• APMP qualification is helpful
• A legal background would help you settle in quickly, but it isn’t essential

What’s on offer:

• Hybrid working with no fixed office days and flexible start times
• 30 days' holiday
• Private medical insurance, plus a healthcare plan covering optical, dental and chiropractic treatment
• 5% employer pension contribution
• Life assurance and wellbeing benefits from day one
• City centre offices with excellent facilities