How to Write an Effective Job Description for a Bid Manager

A bid manager plays a vital role in any organisation that bids for contracts and tenders. A bid manager oversees the whole bid process, from planning and organising to managing and delivering bids that meet the client's needs and expectations. A bid manager also leads and manages the bid team, liaises with internal and external stakeholders, and monitors and evaluates the bid performance and outcomes.

Bid Manager Job Description: What's Important?

If you want to hire a bid manager for your organisation, you need to write an effective job description that will attract the best candidates for the role. A job description is a document that describes the main duties, responsibilities, skills, and qualifications of a job. It also provides information about the company, the benefits, and the expectations of the role. A good job description will help you to:

Clarify the role and its objectives accurately and precisely.
Communicate the value and benefits of working for your organisation.
Attract and engage qualified and suitable candidates.
Screen and shortlist applicants based on relevant criteria.
Evaluate and compare candidates based on consistent standards.

So, how do you write an effective job description for a bid manager? Here are some tips and guidelines to help you with this task.

Essential Components of a Bid Manager Job Description

A bid manager job description should include the following:

Job title: This should be clear and descriptive, and reflect the level and scope of the role. For example, you may use titles such as Bid Manager, Senior Bid Manager, Bid Director, or Bid Team Leader. If it is includes other 'non-bid' tasks it should be reflective of this. E.g. Bid & Marketing Manager.

Job summary: This is a brief overview of the role, its main purpose, and its key benefits. It should highlight the main duties and responsibilities, and the impact and value of the role for the organisation and the client. We find the the more specific this is, the better. Candidates appreciate the true description of the bid management role.

Bid Manager Duties and responsibilities: This is a detailed list of the specific tasks and activities that the bid manager will perform on a regular basis. It should cover all the aspects of the role rather than general areas linked to bid management. E.g. bid process, planning, organising, managing, delivering, and reviewing bids. It should also include the leadership and management responsibilities of the bid manager, such as leading and managing the bid team, coordinating and facilitating bid meetings, liaising with internal and external stakeholders, and reporting and providing feedback on the bid performance and outcomes. It's about being specific, so detailing the size of the bid team, for example.

Skills and qualifications: This is a list of the essential and desirable skills and qualifications that the bid manager should have to perform the role effectively. It should include the technical and professional skills, such as bid writing, bid management, project management, and industry knowledge. It should also include the personal and interpersonal skills, such as strategic vision, analytical thinking, leadership, management, communication, negotiation, and problem-solving.

Company overview: This is a brief introduction to your organisation, its mission, vision, values, and goals. It should also include information about the culture, benefits, and opportunities of working for your organisation.

Common Qualifications and Experience Requirements of a Bid Manager

While the qualifications and experience requirements for a bid manager may vary, some of the common ones are:

A bachelor's degree or equivalent in a relevant field, such as business, english, history, management and marketing.
At least five years of experience in bid writing and bid management, preferably in the same or similar sector or industry. With a skills shortage in the sector, it might be you focus on recruiting a more junior role, allowing them to develop their skills and experience with your business.
A proven track record of delivering successful bids that meet the client's needs and expectations.
Experience in leading and managing bid teams, and working with internal and external stakeholders.
Certification or accreditation in bid writing, bid management, project management, or other related fields.

Example Bid Manager Job Description Template

Job title	Bid Manager
Role overview	The Bid Manager will lead and manage the bid process, from opportunity identification to proposal submission. They will be responsible for developing and executing bid strategies that align with the company’s goals and client requirements. They will also create comprehensive bid documents, ensuring accuracy and compliance with all RFP and tender requirements and guidelines. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to business development initiatives, strengthen our market position and drive revenue growth.
Salary range	The expected salary for a bid manager varies as you become more experienced. - New or trainee bid managers can earn £25,000 - £36,000. - Trained bid managers with experience can earn £40,000 - £65,000. - Senior bid managers can earn £50,000 - £90,000+
Hours and location	Typical working hours for a bid manager are 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. However... - this is a chance to set expectations and also include remote and hybrid options.
Reporting to	The bid manager will report to the head of bid management, the sales director, the marketing director or the managing director, depending on the size and structure of the organisation.
Bid Manager Objectives	Lead and coordinate the end-to-end bid process, including opportunity identification, qualification and proposal submission. Develop compelling and persuasive bid content, including executive summaries, value propositions, pricing models and technical responses. Collaborate with internal stakeholders, such as sales, operations and subject matter experts, to gather information and develop bid strategies. Manage bidding budgets, resources and timelines to ensure on-time and high-quality proposal submissions. Identify new business opportunities by monitoring public and private sector tender portals. Maintain comprehensive and accurate bid documentation, including bid files, records of communication and pricing information. Participate in negotiation sessions to secure favourable terms and conditions while focusing on profitability. Ensure compliance with client requirements, regulations and industry standards. Monitor and evaluate bid performance metrics to identify areas for improvement. Conduct post-bid analysis and debrief sessions to identify areas of improvement and implement lessons learned for future bids.
Tasks	Identify and evaluate new business opportunities through market research, competitor analysis and client needs assessment. Lead and coordinate the entire bid management process, including reviewing bid invitations, conducting bid/no-bid analysis and establishing timelines. Develop compelling and persuasive bid content, including executive summaries, value propositions, pricing models and technical responses. Collaborate with internal stakeholders, such as sales, operations and subject matter experts, to gather information and develop bid strategies. Coordinate and facilitate bid review meetings, ensuring key stakeholders provide input and address concerns or issues. Work with pricing teams to develop competitive pricing strategies that align with bid requirements and profitability targets. Coordinate with legal and compliance teams to ensure bid proposals meet all legal and regulatory requirements. Monitor and track bid performance metrics, analysing win/loss data to identify trends and areas for improvement. Conduct post-bid analysis and debrief sessions to identify areas of improvement and implement lessons learned for future bids. Continuously refine and improve bid processes, templates and best practices to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Stay updated on industry trends, market insights and emerging best practices in bid management.
Required skills and qualifications	Bachelor’s degree or equivalent. 5+ years of experience as a bid manager, proposal manager or a similar role. Experience in managing bids for complex projects or large-scale contracts. Knowledge of government procurement processes and regulations. Demonstrated success in winning bids through effective proposal management. Strong understanding of the bid lifecycle, proposal writing, development and contract negotiation. Proficiency in using bid software and MS Office. Ability to implement budgetary and cost-control measures with solid negotiation and persuasive skills. Attention to detail and high accuracy in bid preparation and review. Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders at various levels.
Preferred skills and qualifications	Understanding pricing strategies and financial analysis in bid development. Ability to create visually appealing and engaging bid presentations. Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks, meet deadlines and manage multiple bids simultaneously. Exceptional organisational and time management skills. Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills to assess bid opportunities and develop winning strategies. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and persuasively.
Progression	The bid manager can progress to senior roles such as bid director, head of bid management or business development director. They can also move to different sectors or industries that require bid management skills. (this bid manager role can also progress well into bid management consultancy)

Crafting an Attractive Job Summary for a Bid Manager

The job summary is the first thing that potential candidates will read when they see your job description. Therefore, it is important to make it attractive and engaging, and to capture their attention and interest. Here are some tips on how to craft an attractive job summary for a bid manager:

Use clear and concise language, and avoid jargon and acronyms.
Focus on the main purpose and benefits of the role, and how it contributes to the organisation and the client.
Highlight the main duties and responsibilities, and the skills and qualifications required.
Include a call to action, such as inviting them to apply or contact you for more information.

Here is an example of a job summary for a bid manager:

Do you have a passion for delivering high-quality bids that meet the client's needs and expectations? Do you have the skills and knowledge to lead and manage a bid team and work with internal and external stakeholders? Do you have a proven track record of success in bid writing and bid management? If so, you may be the perfect candidate for our organisation.

We are a leading provider of [insert what you do] for the public sector, and we are looking for a bid manager to join our team. As a bid manager, you will be responsible for overseeing the entire bid process, from planning and organising to managing and delivering bids that are compliant, competitive, and compelling. You will also lead and manage the wider bid writing services team, liaise with internal and external stakeholders, and monitor and evaluate the bid performance and outcomes.

To be a successful bid manager, you will need to have a bachelor's degree or equivalent in a relevant field, such as business, management or marketing. You will also need to have at least five years of experience in bid writing and bid management, preferably in the [insert sector details] sector.

If you are interested in this role, please apply online or contact us for more information. We look forward to hearing from you and discussing this opportunity further.

Including Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the Bid Manager Role

Another way to make your job description more effective and attractive is to include key performance indicators (KPIs) for the bid manager role. KPIs are measurable and quantifiable indicators that show how well the bid manager is performing in their role. They help you to set expectations, monitor progress, and evaluate results. They also help the bid manager to understand their goals, track their performance, and improve their skills.

Some of the common KPIs for a bid manager are:

Win rates: The percentage of bids that are won out of the total number of bids submitted.
Proposal volume and turnaround time: The number of bids that are produced and submitted within a given period, and the time it takes to complete each bid.
Cost of bid writing: The amount of money and resources that are spent on creating and submitting a bid.
Quality score: The score that is given to a bid by the client, based on their evaluation criteria and standards.
Wider team satisfaction and feedback: The feedback that is received from other departments and stakeholders, based on their satisfaction with the bid team, their approach, process and outcomes.

You can include these KPIs in your job description, either in the duties and responsibilities section, or in a separate section. You can also specify the target or benchmark for each KPI, based on your organisation's standards and goals. For example, you can say that the bid manager is expected to achieve or improve on the current win rate and quality score, or to reduce the cost of bid writing.

Here is an example of how to include KPIs in your job description:

As a bid manager, you will be responsible for:

Planning, organising, and delivering high-quality bids that meet the client's requirements and expectations.
Managing the bid team, assigning tasks, monitoring progress, and ensuring compliance with the bid process and standards.
Liaising with the clients and other stakeholders, and providing regular reports and feedback on the bid performance.
Coordinating and facilitating bid meetings, workshops, and presentations.
Reviewing and editing bid documents, ensuring that they are persuasive, compelling, and error-free.
Submitting the bid documents on time and in the correct format.
Following up with the clients and conducting post-bid activities, such as debriefing, feedback, and lessons learned.

You will be expected to achieve the following KPIs: