Principal Bid Manager

NHS Jobs; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

HCRG Care Group and Operose Health is seeking an experienced Bid Manager to own end-to-end tender processes from planning to submission. You will coordinate cross-functional teams, develop win themes and ensure bids meet procurement requirements.

The role emphasises strong bid writing, stakeholder engagement and the ability to manage multiple high-value tenders in a healthcare/public sector setting. Flexible remote work with occasional travel is available.

Qualifications

• Substantial end-to-end bid management experience.
• Experience in public sector tendering and procurement.
• Ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong bid writing and proposal development skills.
• Ability to manage complex tenders, deadlines and risks.
• APMP Foundation/Practitioner or similar qualification is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple bids simultaneously, owning planning, deadlines, resources and submissions.
• Lead end-to-end bid process including planning, stakeholder engagement and submission.
• Develop bid strategies, win themes and customer-focused proposals.
• Collaborate with clinical, finance, legal and workforce teams to build tender responses.
• Review bid content and provide constructive feedback for improvement.
• Support wider business development activities and market engagement.
• Mentor/guide colleagues and share bid management practices.

Skills

Bid management

Public sector tendering

Stakeholder engagement

Bid writing

Quality assurance

Education

Degree or equivalent

Tools

MS Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Location: Manchester (remote with occasional travel), M2 1BB

Main Responsibilities

• Managing multiple bids at the same time, taking ownership of planning, deadlines, resources and submissions.
• Leading the end-to-end bid process, including bid planning, stakeholder engagement, proposal development and submission.
• Developing bid strategies, win themes and customer-focused proposals.
• Working with operational, clinical, finance, commercial, legal and workforce colleagues to develop tender responses.
• Reviewing and challenging bid submissions prepared by other members of the team, providing feedback and quality assurance.
• Supporting other Bid Managers with day-to-day queries, sharing knowledge and helping to improve bid management practices.
• Contributing to bid writing, editing and proposal development where required.
• Ensuring bids meet procurement requirements, internal governance standards and submission deadlines.
• Identifying and managing bid risks, dependencies and commercial considerations.
• Supporting wider business development activity, including market engagement, opportunity qualification and early proposition development.
• Deputising for the Senior Business Development Manager when required, helping to coordinate activity across the team.
• Contributing to post-bid reviews and identifying opportunities to improve how bids are managed and delivered.

The Ideal Candidate

We're looking for someone with substantial experience in bid management who can take ownership of complex tenders and work confidently with colleagues at all levels. Ideally, you'll have at least five years' experience working in bids, including managing multiple tenders simultaneously. Experience of public sector tendering is particularly valuable, although we'd also welcome applications from candidates with relevant experience in other sectors. You'll need to be comfortable getting involved in the detail of a bid, whether that's managing the process, developing content, reviewing submissions or resolving issues along the way. We're also looking for someone who can support and guide others. You don't need to have managed people previously, but you should be confident sharing your knowledge, challenging constructively and taking responsibility when needed.

• Substantial experience of end-to-end bid management, including complex and high-value tenders.
• Experience of managing multiple bids and competing deadlines.
• Strong bid writing, editing and proposal development skills.
• Experience of developing win strategies, win themes and customer-focused propositions.
• The ability to review bid content, identify improvements and provide constructive feedback.
• Good commercial awareness, including an understanding of bid risks, assumptions and dependencies.
• Experience of working with and influencing senior stakeholders and subject matter experts.
• Strong organisational, communication and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to work under pressure and maintain a high standard of work.
• A collaborative approach, with the confidence to support and guide colleagues.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

It would also be beneficial if you have:

• Experience of bidding for healthcare, NHS, local authority or other public sector contracts.
• APMP Foundation, Practitioner or another relevant bid/proposal management qualification.
• Experience of wider business development activity, including market engagement and opportunity qualification.
• A degree or equivalent relevant experience.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to join a growing Business Development team and take on a role that combines hands-on bid management with supporting and developing others. You'll work closely with the Senior Business Development Manager, taking responsibility for your own bids while helping the wider team improve its approach to bid management. For someone who has built a career in bids and is looking for their next step, the position offers the chance to gain leadership experience without needing to have held a formal management role previously. You'll also have the flexibility of working remotely, with occasional opportunities to meet colleagues and attend business events.

About Us

HCRG Care Group and Operose Health work across health and care services in the UK. This position sits within the Business Development function, working across both organisations. The successful candidate will be employed on Operose Health terms and conditions.