Lead Specialist, Bid Management

About the job

The role will be responsible for a wide range of proposals; from bidding for fast turnaround bids with high levels of uncertainty, to following well-structured long-term and high value procurements that require a full bid management process. Bids could be shorter-term service-specific opportunities or long-term, strategic/transformative projects, but the anticipated contract value ranges from £500k to £50m+-. The role will primarily be based remotely in the UK but the ability to work and collaborate internationally is required. This is an exciting moment to join Pearson Education Services as we continue to evolve our capabilities and services for the future whilst continuing to deliver a successful array of assessment contracts of varying scope and size across the world. It is a small but successful team, and provides a fantastic opportunity for an individual with a strong track record of delivering successful bids who seeks a global role with the potential to achieve significant business growth.

Core tasks and responsibilities

• Working as part of Pearson Education Services to fulfil the requirements of the team, which may include leading a matrix team of SMEs over a number of locations, which can include external consultants, suppliers and partners
• Monitor selected portals through which opportunities become available
• Identify and circulate potential opportunities (RFIs, RFPS, etc) to stakeholder list for consideration
• Co-ordinate discussion leading to bid / no-bid decision
• Prepare and implement a bid management plan for every bid, managing the bid process effectively, with accountability for bid submission
• Contribute to financial modelling and commercial input bids
• Work alongside other senior colleagues to build the price-to-win strategy for each bid
• Monitor, review and prioritise work schedules with matrix team to review bid resources
• Monitoring, management and mitigation of existing and new risks related to bid activity
• Ensure requirements of bid are flowed down to the relevant teams with clearly defined tasking
• Provide advice and work with team to resolve matters relating to costs, work schedules and technical issues as required
• Manage external teams and partners in a collaborative working environment to ensure that bid objectives are achieved
• Accountable for managing the bid to an agreed bid budget where applicable
• Responsible for managing bid library and content-related resources, enhancing boiler plate content as appropriate
• Drive forward innovation and efficiencies in the e2e Bid Management process using in-house AI capabilities
• Provide exception reporting as required and refer any key issues for advice and approval
• Accurate forecasting and reporting of bid financial information, pipeline summaries and resource requirements
• Ensuring the production of prompt and comprehensive responses to the customer in terms of Commercial/Technical solution and price
• To win profitable, executable new business and ensure smooth handover to implementation team, thereby assuring continuity for the customer

Competencies

• Be an energetic champion for the bidding process and act as a source of advice and knowledge on the bid process
• Ability to react at pace and mobilise swiftly to respond to opportunities
• Ability to communicate using a variety of methods/mediums, accurately and in a timely manner
• Develop and manage positive working relationships with the relevant internal managers and with the customer community
• Ability to lead integrated project teams to deliver timely and compelling responses
• Strong budgeting/cost management ability

Experience

Essential

• Extensive knowledge of formal bid management methodologies
• Proven track record of successful bid management experience including submission of successful business winning proposals
• Experience of delivering bids for government /related agencies ranging in value upto 7 figures
• Experience of financial management
• Experience of leadership of multi-disciplined and matrixed teams in an educational technology environment

Desired

• Current Bid/Programme Management related qualification (e.g. APM Practitioner, PRINCE2, Association of Proposal Management Professionals Foundation Certification)/evidence of Continuing Professional Development
• Knowledge of formal acquisition process
• Familiarity with EU Procurement Law
• Proven ability of time scheduling/phasing on complex bids with a strong focus on achieving deadlines with a quality output
• Proven practical application of risk management

Your rewards & benefits

We know you’ll do great work, so we give a lot back with some of the best benefits in the business. We know one size doesn’t fit all, so our workplace programs meet the different needs of our diverse teams, and their families, too.

Please see our attractive UK benefits here: Pearson Jobs – Benefits