Senior Commercial Bid Manager

As a Senior Commercial Bid Manager at Digital Catapult, you will manage the complete bid process, ensuring high-quality proposals are submitted in alignment with business objectives. Responsibilities include developing bid strategies to boost win rates, collaborating with cross-functional teams, writing and editing proposal content, and engaging with clients throughout the process. You'll also monitor bid performance, analyze win/loss data, and contribute to continuous improvement efforts.

To excel as a Senior Commercial Bid Manager at Digital Catapult, you should possess significant bid management experience, particularly within the consultancy or innovation sectors. It's essential to have a proven track record of managing complex bids exceeding £5M in value. Familiarity with bid management best practices and knowledge of public sector procurement will be advantageous.

Strong project management, negotiation, and communication skills are vital for the Senior Commercial Bid Manager role at Digital Catapult. The ability to juggle multiple bids simultaneously while meeting tight deadlines is crucial. A detail-oriented and proactive approach, along with knowledge of industry standards and trends, will set you up for success in this fast-paced environment.

While a higher educational qualification at the degree level is beneficial for the Senior Commercial Bid Manager position at Digital Catapult, having an APMP Practitioner certification would be ideal. This educational background combined with strong practical experience will enhance your capability in managing complex bids effectively.

As a Senior Commercial Bid Manager at Digital Catapult, you can expect a competitive benefits package that includes 25 days of annual leave, a double-matched pension scheme, access to various employee benefits like health insurance and gym discounts, and a vibrant workplace culture with opportunities for professional development. Additionally, we promote hybrid working arrangements and offer engaging social events throughout the year.

When answering this question, focus on specific instances where you've successfully managed bids over £5M. Discuss your role in the bid process, what strategies you employed, and the results achieved. Highlight any collaborative efforts with other teams and how you addressed challenges during the bidding process.

Here, provide a structured approach you take to develop bid strategies, emphasizing market research, client needs assessment, and competitor analysis. Discuss past examples of successful strategies and what metrics you used to measure win rates. Always tie your strategy back to the company's objectives.

Be specific about the tools you've used, such as CRM systems, project management software, or bid management platforms. Explain how you've utilized these tools to streamline the bid process, enhance collaboration, or improve proposal quality.

Share your techniques for prioritizing tasks and managing your time effectively under pressure. Describe any experience where you've had to oversee multiple bids simultaneously and how you ensured that quality was not sacrificed despite the tight timelines.

Discuss your method for ensuring clarity and persuasiveness in proposal writing. Explain your editing process to maintain high standards and adherence to client specifications. Mention how you gather input from various stakeholders to enhance the quality of proposals.

Talk about the importance of building relationships with clients, understanding their needs, and maintaining communication throughout the bidding process. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed client queries and feedback to tailor proposals accordingly.

Explain your approach to performance tracking and the importance of post-bid analysis. Discuss the metrics you use to assess success and how you present this data to inform future bidding strategy. Mention any tools or methodologies that assist in tracking performance.

Identify elements such as clear value propositions, understanding client requirements, the strength of the proposal team's collaboration, and effective risk management. Illustrate your answer with real-life examples of successful bids you've been involved in.

Outline your risk management process, from identifying potential risks to developing mitigation strategies. Provide examples of how you have navigated risks in previous bids and the impact of your proactive measures.

Share any specific improvements you've introduced, such as the implementation of new tools, training sessions for team members, or revamped communication protocols. Highlight the outcomes of these initiatives and how they enhanced overall bid quality or efficiency.