Understanding the Role of Contract Bid Managers
Contract bid managers play an important role for many businesses, when it comes to work winning. They lead the process of creating winning proposals and being awarded contracts. Specifically contract bId managers, are likely to be interim or freelance.
Essential Skills and Competencies
To succeed as a contract bid manager, you must be able to guide teams and make quick decisions. Good communication skills are a must for explaining complex ideas clearly. You need to be able to interview subject matter experts, project manage and write bid content.
Attention to detail is key when reviewing lengthy documents. You'll need to spot small but important points in contracts. Time management skills help you meet tight deadlines.
Being organised keeps the bid process on track. Knowledge of your industry gives you an edge in creating strong proposals. Negotiation skills come in handy when dealing with clients and team members.
Typical Responsibilities and Duties
As a contract bid manager, you'll oversee the entire bidding process. This includes:
- Reviewing Requests for Proposals (RfPs) and Invitation to Tenders (ITTs)
- Planning bid strategies
- Leading bid teams
- Writing and editing proposal content
- Ensuring compliance with all requirements
- Managing budgets for bid projects
You'll also coordinate with different departments to gather information. Presenting bids to clients may be part of your role. After submitting a bid, you'll often follow up and handle any questions.
Keeping records of past bids helps improve future efforts. You might train other staff in bid writing skills.
Strategies for Identifying the Best Talent
Finding top-notch Contract Bid Managers isn't always easy! At Thornton & Lowe we offer bid specific recruitment services. Whether temporary or permanent roles - we are there to guide and support. We also have BidTalentConnect, which is a way to recruitment freelance contract bid managers without recruitment fees!
Using Professional Networks
Your professional network is a goldmine for talent. Tap into LinkedIn and industry-specific platforms to connect with experienced Contract Bid Managers.
You can also ask for referrals from trusted colleagues. They might know someone perfect for the role.
Consider reaching out to past clients or partners. They might have worked with exceptional bid managers who are now looking for new opportunities.
Create or use a bid talent network by nurturing relationships with promising professionals, even if you're not hiring right away.
Using Industry Events and Conferences
Industry events are hotspots for talented Contract Bid Managers. Attend conferences, seminars, and workshops focused on contract management and bidding. Network during breaks and social events and you may also set up a company booth at job fairs or industry expos. This allows you to meet interested candidates face-to-face and assess their potential. This can be especially important when recruiting trainee bid writers.
Specialist Bid Recruitment Firms
Partnering with recruitment firms that specialise in bid management can streamline your search. These agencies have access to a wide pool of qualified candidates. Bid Resource is our specialist recruitment agency for bid, tender and proposal roles.
Choose firms with a proven track record in placing Contract Bid Managers. They understand the specific skills and experience required for the role. With a skills shortage in the sector, ensuring you understand what comparable sector experience could be relevant will help you broaden the net. You don't want a Contract Bid Manager with experience of large complex bids when you expect them to be writing and managing 5 or more at anytime with your business, for example.
Provide a detailed job description and company culture overview to the agency. This helps them find candidates who are not just skilled, but also a good fit for your team. We will often develop job descriptions for our clients as part of our recruitment services.
Bid Resource asks candidates to complete assessments and an interview prior to us sharing their CV.
Need specialist bid recruitment expertise?
Bid ResourceEvaluating Contract Bid Manager Candidates
Finding the right Contract Bid Manager is crucial for your organisation's success. A thorough evaluation process helps you select a candidate with the right mix of skills, experience, and cultural fit.
Assessing Technical Expertise and Experience
Look for candidates with a strong grasp of bid evaluation processes and criteria. Check their knowledge of MEAT (Most Economically Advantageous Tender) principles. Ask about their experience with different types of contracts and industries.
Evaluate their understanding of:
- Bid strategy
- Bid management
- Bid writing
- Win themes
- Storyboarding
- Bid evaluation techniques
- Procurement regulations
- Contract law basics
Use practical tests or case studies to assess their abilities. For example, give them a sample bid to evaluate and explain their reasoning.
Consider their track record of successful bids won. Ask for specific examples of how they've improved bid win rates or contract values.
Considering Cultural and Team Fit
A Contract Bid Manager must work well with various departments and stakeholders. Assess their communication skills and ability to explain complex ideas simply.
Look for traits like:
- Adaptability to your company culture
- Collaborative approach
- Leadership potential
- Stress management under tight deadlines
Use behavioural interview questions to gauge their interpersonal skills. For instance, ask how they've handled conflicts with team members or difficult clients in the past.
Consider involving key team members in the interview process to ensure a good fit.
Verifying Past Performance and References
Contact the candidate's previous employers and colleagues. Ask about their strengths, weaknesses, and overall performance.
Key questions to ask references:
- How did they handle challenging bids?
- Were they able to meet deadlines consistently?
- Did they work well with different teams?
- What was their success rate in winning bids?
Review any quantifiable results from their past roles, such as improved win rates or cost savings achieved.
Ask for examples of bids they've managed, including both successful and unsuccessful ones. Discuss what they learned from each experience and how they've applied those lessons.
Implementing an Effective Hiring Process
A well-structured hiring process is key to finding top Contract Bid Managers. It helps you assess skills, experience, and cultural fit accurately.
Designing a Robust Screening Procedure
Start by crafting a clear job description. List must-have qualifications and nice-to-have skills. This will help you filter applications quickly.
Use an applicant tracking system to manage CVs. Set up automatic screening based on key criteria like years of experience or specific certifications.
Create a scoring system for applications. Assign points for relevant skills and experience. This helps you rank candidates objectively.
Consider using pre-screening questions. Ask about bid win rates or largest contracts managed. This gives you quick insights into a candidate's track record.
Structuring Competency-Based Interviews
Plan your interview questions carefully. Focus on skills crucial for Contract Bid Managers, such as:
- Strategic thinking
- Negotiation skills
- Project management
- Client relationship management
Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure questions. This helps you get detailed examples of past performance.
Include role-playing exercises. Ask candidates to present a mock bid strategy or handle a tricky client scenario. This tests their ability to think on their feet.
Have a diverse interview panel. Include team members who will work closely with the new hire. This ensures a well-rounded assessment.
Organising Trial Projects and Assessments
Set up practical tests to evaluate real-world skills. You might ask candidates to:
- Review and improve a sample bid document
- Create a bid strategy for a fictional project
- Analyse competitor data and suggest positioning
Onboarding and Continuous Professional Development
Bringing new contract bid managers into your organisation and helping them grow is key. A strong onboarding process sets them up for success, while ongoing training keeps their skills sharp.
Creating a Welcoming Onboarding Experience
Start by giving new bid managers a warm welcome. Set up their workspace before they arrive and have all needed tools ready. Assign a mentor to guide them through their first weeks. Create a detailed schedule for their first month, including:
• Meet-and-greets with key team members
• Training on company systems and processes
• Shadowing experienced bid managers
Give them a 'welcome pack' with important info like company policies and bid templates. Plan regular check-ins to see how they're settling in and address any concerns. Make sure they feel part of the team by including them in social events and team meetings.
Planning for Ongoing Training and Upskilling
Keep your bid managers' skills current with a solid training plan. Set up a mix of in-house and external training sessions. Topics might include:
• New industry trends
• Changes in procurement rules
• Bid writing skills
• Project management tools
Encourage them to join professional groups and attend industry events, such as APMP. This helps them network and learn from peers. Set up a system for sharing knowledge within your team, like monthly 'lunch and learn' sessions.
Create personal development plans with each bid manager. Review these plans regularly and adjust as needed. Consider offering study leave or funding for relevant qualifications to show your commitment to their growth.
