Senior Bids Manager

Locations: Bristol, Exeter or Southampton (min 2 days in office)

A highly regarded and ambitious UK law firm is looking for a Senior Bids Manager to lead its most important strategic pursuits and play a central role in delivering its growth strategy.

This isn't simply a coordination role. You'll lead major pitches, tenders and panel appointments, shaping the strategy behind them and working as a trusted, commercially minded partner to senior lawyers.

The Role

You'll take ownership of strategic pursuits from start to finish, helping the firm identify, shape and win high-value opportunities across priority sectors and clients.

Partners will look to you for direction, not just support. You'll need the confidence to challenge thinking, influence decisions and ensure efforts are focused on the opportunities most worth winning.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing pursuit strategies, win plans and compelling value propositions alongside partners and BD colleagues.
• Leading significant bids, tenders, panel appointments and pitches from initial planning through to completion.
• Facilitating bid/no-bid decisions and challenging stakeholders to focus resources effectively.
• Developing persuasive messaging that differentiates the firm from competitors.
• Analysing win rates and client feedback to improve performance.
• Coaching partners and colleagues ahead of pitches and client presentations.

About You

You're an experienced bids professional who combines technical expertise with commercial awareness, confidence and a positive, solutions-focused approach.

You'll bring:

• Significant experience leading complex bids and pursuits, ideally within legal or professional services.
• The ability to manage the full pursuit lifecycle, combining strategic thinking with hands-on delivery.
• Strong experience of formal tender and procurement processes.
• Excellent writing, editing and project management skills.
• Commercial awareness and the ability to develop compelling client propositions.
• Experience coaching senior stakeholders for pitches and presentations.
• The confidence to challenge partners constructively, influence decisions and build trusted relationships.

Law firm experience would be advantageous, but strong candidates from other professional services environments are encouraged to apply.

What's on Offer

You'll join a successful, growing law firm investing in its Client Development function, with genuine influence over major client opportunities and the chance to shape its approach to strategic pursuits.

The package includes a competitive salary, performance-related bonus, hybrid working, private healthcare, enhanced parental leave and professional development.