Senior Bid Writer

Sweco UK Ltd; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering consultancy seeks a Senior Bid Writer to support their Highways and Civil Structures unit. The role involves preparing bids, writing tailored responses, and collaborating with teams. Ideal candidates should have bid writing experience and strong technical knowledge. Flexible working options are available.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a bid writing role.
• Knowledge of engineering or related sectors.
• Exemplar writing and editing skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and write compelling bids tailored to client requirements.
• Review and edit proposals for clarity and coherence.
• Coach colleagues in bid writing best practices.

Skills

Bid Writing

Technical Knowledge

Communication

Attention to Detail

Critical Thinking

Education

Engineering or Construction Knowledge

Tools

MS Word

Job description

We’re looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Senior Bid Writer to support our Highways and Civil Structures business unit. The ideal candidate will have a strong bid writing background, technical knowledge, and the ability to communicate complex information clearly and concisely.

Our highway and civil structures engineering teams are recognised industry leaders, and operate across several markets including strategic roads, local roads, and private developments. Our current portfolio of projects includes trunk road and motorway schemes, local authority road network improvements, active travel and public realm projects across the UK. We work for a range of clients including national government agencies, local authorities, private developers and contractors.

The Senior Bid Writer role will form a critical part in the continued success of our business, working alongside project and bid support team colleagues and the wider Highways and Civil Structures business unit.

This role could be based from a number of our offices and can be worked flexibly, with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office and the option of adjusted start and finish times.

What does the role involve:

• Prepare and write compelling bids. Develop clear, concise and tailored responses ensuring they align with client requirements and objectives.
• Writing bespoke content, including responses to tender questions, executive summaries, case studies and CVs.
• Work with our Bid Co-Ordinators to develop and maintain a library of proposal templates, case studies, and other reference materials to streamline the bid writing process
• Review and edit proposals to ensure clarity, coherence, and adherence to company standards.
• Contributing to the development of proposal themes that demonstrate our understanding of the client’s needs and how we will create value for them.
• Review feedback on bid successes and collating market and competitor information and analysing bids to identify and share good practice.
• Ensuring adherence to Sweco’s in-house style guidance and processes.
• Coaching colleagues in bid writing best practice.

To be successful in this role you’ll possess:

• Previous experience in a bid writing role.
• Knowledge and Understanding of engineering, construction or related sectors.
• Exemplar writing, editing and proofreading skills.
• Attention to detail and critical thinking skills.
• A good level of IT literacy, in particular MS Word.
• An ability to work independently to tight deadlines.

You’ll be working for a top engineering consultancy experiencing an inclusive, friendly and flexible working environment where colleagues are encouraged to grow and develop. Sweco.

If you want to make a meaningful contribution to society, if you are motivated to grow, and if you want to join a business with genuine opportunities for career progression, then we’d love to hear from you.

Let’s transform society together at Sweco!

About Us

Transforming society together, we're planning and designing sustainable communities and cities of the future.

Solving the great societal challenges of our time is more relevant, demanding and inspiring than ever before. At Sweco, we bring together experts with different perspectives and skills to develop solutions that address the challenges of urbanisation, harness the positive power of digitalisation and make societies more sustainable.

We offer our clients a combination of global expertise and local presence, adapted to their business and reality. Our ambition is to be our clients’ most relevant partner, working together to help them solve their challenges, today and into the future.

Sweco is committed to enabling all its colleagues to achieve a great balance between work and their other priorities, such as caring responsibilities, leisure activities, further learning or other interests. We offer flexible start and finish times, part time and hybrid working options so that you can flex your hours around your day to day needs.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

It’s important to us that that all our colleagues thrive at work - we strive to have a friendly and inclusive culture which respects the contribution individuals can bring to Sweco. We aim to promote equality, inclusivity and diversity for everyone.

Here at Sweco we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity.

We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant to ensure those who serve or have served, and their families, are treated fairly. To find out more The Armed Forces Covenant - Our Commitments | Sweco UK.

We are also proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer, and will interview applicants covered by the Equality Act 2010 that opt into the guaranteed interview scheme on the application form and meet the minimum criteria for the role.

If I have a disability, can I get help (e.g. “reasonable adjustments”) with the application process?

If you’re an applicant with a disability that requires a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to use the online application system and need an alternative method for applying, please contact [e-mail] for assistance.

In order to address your request the following information is needed:

• Name

• The best method for contacting you (Phone or email)

• The position title

• Requisition/vacancy number

Upon receipt of this information, we’ll respond to you promptly to obtain more information about your request.

Please note: we reserve the right to close vacancies before the advertised closing date.

Sweco UK&I have an internal resourcing team who are responsible for all recruiting activity. We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted agencies who we work with on those “hard to fill” roles.

We have defined processes for recruitment applications and it is company policy not to accept speculative CVs. Any speculative CVs received into the business (whether to a manager or member of the resourcing team) will become the property of Sweco and the agency will not be eligible for an introductory fee.

Our Preferred Supplier List was reviewed in November 2024 and we are not looking to add any additional agencies. We’ll be reviewing the PSL again at the end of 2025 and non-compliance with the above statements could be detrimental to you having the opportunity to be included.

Our Talent Community for experienced professionals is a great way to keep up to date with our latest news, insights, future vacancies, as well as gaining access to exclusive events hosted by our experts.

To learn more Join Our Talent Community - Sweco United Kingdom