Bid Manager

Salary: Competitive

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday

What you’ll do:

The Bid Manager is responsible for managing the preparation, production, and presentation of bids and proposals, leveraging opportunities to secure new contracts and sales for Ground Control. They oversee the end-to-end bid process, ensuring high-quality, compliant submissions across a range of sectors and service lines. This role involves coordinating with internal teams, developing win strategies, and producing compelling responses to set Ground Control apart from competitors.

Key Responsibilities:

• Bid Management: Take ownership of the bid process from inception to submission, ensuring high-quality, timely, and compliant proposals. Manage and oversee bid timelines, resources, and key deliverables. Lead the preparation of all bid-related documents, including complex cost breakdowns, technical specifications, and compliance matrices.
• Bid Coordination: Work closely with cross-functional teams, including technical, commercial, and operational departments, to gather relevant information.
• Bid Strategy: Communicate and support the creation of bid strategies, ensuring alignment with client requirements and Ground Control’s capabilities.
• Develop and Write Proposals: Review and write for more complex or high value bids clear, persuasive, and tailored responses to technical/quality bid questions, presenting Ground Control’s unique strengths and differentiators.
• Team Management and Mentorship: Manage and mentor Junior Bid Writers and Bid Writers, providing guidance, training, and support to enhance their skills and improve the overall quality and efficiency of bid submissions.
• Stakeholder Engagement Develop and maintain strong, proactive relationships with senior leaders and key stakeholders across the business. Ensure bid strategies are aligned with organisational goals and that stakeholders are engaged throughout the bid process to gather essential content and insights.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities for improving bid management content, processes, tools, and templates to increase efficiency, quality, and success rates of bids.
• Market Intelligence: Stay informed about industry trends, market movements, and competitor activities to ensure that Ground Control is targeting the right opportunities and positioning itself effectively in the market.
• Review Tender Documents: Review tender documents and assess client needs to create tailored solutions and persuasive content.
• Manage Multiple Bids: Lead multiple complex bids simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery while maintaining high-quality standards.
• Proposal Compliance: Accountable for the review process, ensuring all proposals are technically accurate, compelling, and compliant with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Client Presentations: Attend and support client presentations, ensuring that winning themes are communicated effectively, addressing client needs and concerns, and reinforcing Ground Control’s capabilities in a compelling manner.
• Track and Report Progress: Track and report on the progress of bids, ensuring key milestones and deadlines are met.
• Post-Bid Analysis: Manage the post-bid process, including clarification requests and feedback, to ensure ongoing engagement and improvement for future submissions.

What we’re looking for:

Essential Knowledge and Skills:
• Strong background in managing complex and high value bids and proposals, with a track record of success in securing new contracts and business across various sectors and service lines.
• Demonstrated ability to manage, mentor, and upskill a team of Junior Bid Writers and Bid Writers. Effective in developing the team's capabilities and ensuring high-quality outputs.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple bids simultaneously, meeting deadlines and ensuring quality and compliance across all stages of the bid process.
• Proven track record in securing and retaining contracts, ideally within grounds maintenance, arboriculture, landscaping, or vegetation management services.
• Proficient in writing complex, persuasive, and tailored bid responses that clearly articulate the company’s strengths, differentiators, and value propositions.
• Strong understanding of bid processes, including compliance requirements, cost and technical proposal preparation, and project management.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with senior leaders and key stakeholders.
• In-depth knowledge of bid governance requirements and ability to adhere to compliance standards.
• Ability to quickly develop an understanding of customer requirements and articulate tailored solutions.
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other relevant bid management software.

Desirable Knowledge and Skills:
• Knowledge of industry-specific regulations and requirements for bid submissions.
• Experience within the grounds maintenance/FM sector is highly desirable but not essential.
• Knowledge of market trends, competitor analysis, and strategic bid differentiation.

Why join us:

Career Development Focus: We’re committed to supporting your professional growth with clear career paths, training, and tailored development programs, including our GC Leadership Academy, job specific accreditations and higher education opportunities.

Exciting Growth Opportunities: Be part of a rapidly growing company with a dynamic team and expanding client base.

Collaborative Environment: Work in a supportive, engaging, and innovative culture where your contributions are valued.

Competitive Package: Enjoy a competitive salary and benefits package, along with flexible working options, including:

23 days holiday, Increasing with length of service + bank holidays

Yearly bonus scheme & Share options

Robust pension scheme

Medigold employee support, Free Flu Jabs, Online private GP Service

Free or subsidised national gym memberships

Employee Recognition Scheme

2 personal choice volunteering days

Ground Control

Ground Control is a UK-based grounds maintenance company powered by the latest technology. Since launching in 1973, Ground Control has grown rapidly and now provides full national coverage for our customers across the UK and Ireland.

We deliver a range of services, including grounds maintenance, winter gritting, landscape construction, design, arboriculture, electric vehicle charging point installation to more than 50,000 commercial properties across the UK.

If you are looking to invest in your future with a business that puts people at the centre of everything, click the apply now button below to speak to a member of our team.

#INDHP

Equal Opportunities Statement

At Ground Control, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered to thrive. We believe that diversity drives innovation and success, and we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and do not discriminate based on sex, age, disability, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. We actively support and promote an inclusive culture, ensuring fair and equitable treatment throughout the recruitment process and beyond.