Senior Bid Manager

Cardo; United States; Remote; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in social housing maintenance is seeking a Senior Bid Manager to lead and oversee complex bidding processes. This strategic role demands a proactive individual with extensive experience in bid management, particularly within the social housing sector. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, develop winning bid strategies, and ensure compliance with regulations. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, a deep understanding of the industry, and a passion for creating innovative, value-driven bids. Join a forward-thinking company committed to inclusivity and innovation, and help shape the future of social housing maintenance projects.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in bid management in social housing or construction.
• Strong understanding of procurement processes and industry trends.

Responsibilities

• Lead bid strategy development and execution to align with organizational goals.
• Formulate high-quality submissions to exceed client specifications.

Skills

Bid Management

Social Housing Maintenance

Risk Management

Project Management

Negotiation Skills

Financial Modelling

Cross-functional Collaboration

Education

Degree in Business Administration or related field

Professional Certifications (APMP, APM)

Tools

MS Project

Job description

Who are Cardo Group?

Cardo Group is a social housing property maintenance company. Our multi-company group provides quality, value for money maintenance, compliance and retrofit services across the south west, south east and midlands. Future plans will see this develop into a national footprint.

Job Summary

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced senior bid manager to join our team in the social housing maintenance sector. This is a senior role, responsible for leading and overseeing the bidding process for complex, large-scale maintenance contracts. You will be responsible for managing the entire bid lifecycle. Working closely with key internal stakeholders and partners, you will drive the bid process and demonstrate the Cardo’s capability in delivering exceptional social housing maintenance projects.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Bid strategy development: Lead the development and execution of bid strategies to align with organisational goals and market positioning.
2. Proposal management: Formulate high-quality submissions to meet and exceed client specifications.
3. Cross-functional collaboration: Assemble and coordinate cross-functional teams from technical, legal, finance, operations, and HR departments. Maintain clear and regular communication to ensure everyone is aligned with bid requirements and expectations. Ensure milestones and deadlines are met.
4. Win themes: Ensure win themes are effectively articulated throughout the bid response, demonstrating a clear understanding of client needs and how Cardo can meet them.
5. Pricing strategy: Collaborate with the estimating team to ensure bids are financially competitive, cost-effective, and reflective of Cardo’s capability to deliver projects within budget. Ensure the quality submission aligns with pricing principles and model.
6. Risk assessment: Identify potential risks (technical, financial, legal) throughout the bid process and work with internal teams to effectively mitigate these risks.
7. Regulatory compliance: Ensure all bids comply with relevant regulations, standards, and client requirements. Stay informed of regulatory changes and incorporate them into bid submissions.
8. Leadership and mentorship: Provide leadership and guidance to junior bid managers and coordinators. Mentor the team in developing their skills and expertise to improve overall performance.
9. Post-submission engagement: Lead debriefing sessions with clients and intermediaries after bid submissions to gather feedback and use this information to improve future bid submissions.
10. Bid review and feedback: Conduct internal bid reviews and lessons learned sessions to refine the bidding process, improving overall performance.
11. Pipeline Development: Work with the BDM and sales teams to develop the pipeline, consolidate opportunities, and ensure compelling and competitive submissions.

Key Skills, Knowledge, and Experience:

Essential:

1. Min 5 years’ experience in bid management within the social housing maintenance or construction sectors.
2. In-depth understanding of the social housing sector, including procurement processes, government policies, key stakeholders (e.g., housing associations, local authorities), and industry trends.
3. Experience in preparing competitive pricing structures and understanding financial modelling for social housing projects.
4. Strong understanding of risk management principles and the ability to apply them to ensure successful and compliant bid submissions.
5. Strong understanding of cost estimation, pricing strategies, and financial modelling for social housing maintenance projects.
6. Understanding of the specific challenges and opportunities in social housing maintenance, including sustainability, community impact, and social value.
7. Strong project management skills.
8. The ability to identify challenges within the bidding process and develop innovative solutions to address them.
9. Strong negotiation skills, with experience in managing stakeholder relationships at all levels.

Preferred:

1. Degree in a relevant field (e.g., Business Administration, Management, or related discipline) is preferred.
2. Professional Certifications (e.g., APMP, APM) or equivalent industry qualifications desirable.
3. MS Project.

Key Attributes:

1. Strong leadership and management skills with the ability to lead, motivate, and develop a team of bid professionals.
2. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to write compelling and persuasive copy.
3. Strong verbal communication skills to effectively present proposals and negotiate with clients, partners, and stakeholders.
4. Excellent attention to detail, ensuring quality and accuracy of all bid documents.
5. Proactive approach.
6. Strong vision to assess long-term market trends and sector opportunities.
7. Familiarity with relevant construction standards, regulatory requirements, and project delivery models within the social housing context.

This is a senior, strategic role requiring a proactive, driven individual with proven experience in managing complex bids. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership capabilities, a deep understanding of the social housing maintenance landscape, and a passion for creating value-driven, compliant and innovative bids. If you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and are looking for the opportunity to shape the future of social housing maintenance projects, this is the role for you.

Why Join Cardo Group?

At Cardo Group, we are growing, evolving, and building a stable foundation for long-term success. When you join us, you become part of a forward-thinking company that values innovation, integrity, and inclusivity. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. We recognise that diverse perspectives strengthen our business, drive innovation, and help us better serve the communities we work with.

Equity – We ensure fair opportunities for growth and success, removing barriers that may stand in the way.

Diversity – We embrace different backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints, knowing that diversity fuels creativity and progress.

Inclusion – We foster a culture where every team member has a voice and feels a true sense of belonging. At Cardo Group, EDI is more than a policy, it’s part of who we are. We actively promote an environment where all individuals, regardless of race, gender, age, ability, sexual orientation, or background, can thrive.

Join us and be part of a company that values you—exactly as you are.