The Many Paths to a Career in Bid Management

Bid management truly can be both a rewarding and challenging career! Bid managers are responsible for leading the bid process, from identifying opportunities and developing strategies, to writing tender responses and negotiating contracts.

But how do you become a bid manager?

Is there a clear and linear career path when it comes to bid management? The answer is not so simple. While some bid managers may follow a step-by-step progression, starting from a bid apprentice or trainee bid writer, and moving up to a bid writer, senior bid writer, bid manager, head of bid management, and finally a bid director or sales director role, others may take a different route. In fact, many people who end up in bid management come from diverse backgrounds and have varied experiences.?I worked in procurement at a housing association.

Career Development Example at Thornton & Lowe

Our Head of Bids at Thornton & Lowe has been with the business for over 10 years and started in a junior bid writing position. She showed great commitment, development, and excellence in her role and gradually advanced to her current position. However, I do think this is rare and also because we are a bid management consultancy, it's our core, our operations.

There are of course over ways to develop a career in bid management. Some bid managers may have started as sales managers who showed a flair for writing proposals and tenders, or marketing managers who had a knack for creating compelling messages and designs. Others may have been technical team members or subject matter experts, such as quantity surveyors or engineers, who developed their bid management skills and also gained valuable insight into the bid pricing strategy and the technical aspects of the projects.?

The point is, there is no one-size-fits-all career path in bid management. Each person has their own story and strengths. What I think matters most, putting ability to one side, is they have the passion, the curiosity, and the drive to learn and grow in this field.

Top tips for starting a career in bid management

1. A graduate trainee or junior bid writer role is a really good way to start. Bid coordinator or bid administrator also gives you a great chance to understand the sector, and believe me if you are are also good at writing and management, this will be quickly noticed!
2. Sales and marketing support roles, report writer, teachers, procurement roles - are also great places to start and learn skills which can be applied to a career in bid management.
3. Invest in training and development, such as bid writing courses.

Bid Recruitment Agency & Support Services

Bid management is an evolving and developing profession. At Thornton & Lowe, we not only employ our own dedicated bid team to our consistent and dedicated bid management services, but we also help our clients recruit their bid staff and develop careers in the sector.

We are always looking for new bid writing talent for ourselves and our clients, including freelance bid writing and management roles.

If you're interested in learning more about bid management, or if you're looking for a new opportunity in this field, contact us today. We'd love to hear from you and help you achieve your goals.?[email protected]