Bids Manager

Brodies LLP is a prominent UK law firm headquartered in Scotland, that provides expert advice to UK and international clients.

We have the capability and expertise to deliver mandates with global reach, uniting specialist perspectives from across our firm to offer bespoke legal solutions and advice, resulting in impactful outcomes for our clients.

With offices in London, Leeds, and throughout Scotland, we are dedicated to driving innovation in the legal sector, leveraging new technologies and forward-thinking strategies to deliver exceptional value and efficiency for our clients.

Our contract with our people underlines our commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment, prioritising the wellbeing and development of our colleagues to ensure they thrive both personally and professionally.

We are also deeply committed to making a positive impact in the communities in which we live and work. Through our pro bono work, charitable activities, and initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion, we strive to contribute meaningfully to society.

JOB TITLE

Bids Manager

Ideally Edinburgh / Glasgow office based, but would consider Aberdeen or Inverness

REPORTING TO

Senior Bids Manager

JOB PURPOSE

The Bids Manager role focuses on helping the firm win new profitable business by managing the response to a range of opportunities. You will be responsible for project managing the creation of bids and presentation materials and this role will involve working across our practice groups, sectors and offices.

The successful candidate will have worked in a dedicated bids role. You will have excellent management skills and have the character to strive for the best. Managing stakeholders is key, therefore you will be robust and able to build credibility from the start. You will have a proven ability in planning, producing, writing and delivering compliant bids within a complex business environment. Experience of public sector portals and bid library and automation systems would be beneficial.

CORE TASKS

• Work closely with legal practice areas on the decision to respond to bid opportunities and lead bids in accordance with our best practice bid process
• Conduct initial searches of internal databases for relevant previous information
• Arrange go / no-go meetings and record the decision
• Lead kick-off meetings to allocate actions, inputs and discuss and agree timescales
• Develop the bid strategy including win themes and value proposition
• Manage and produce RFI, ITT, RFP etc. responses whilst working closely with partners, legal teams, business development managers and other business services colleagues e.g. Finance, People Engagement and I&T to gather content, CVs and all other documentation required to submit a compliant bid
• Scope the bid opportunity to understand client needs and ensure the bid responds to those needs
• Develop bid content that is compelling and focused on the client, always striving to improve our offering
• Brief contributors to ensure their input is tailored, relevant and received on time
• Finalise and submit bids in line with the client's instructions
• Coordinate presentation materials and rehearsals and offer advice and coaching on style, approach, messaging
• Conduct client and colleague debriefs to capture feedback
• Review bid feedback, acting on lessons learned for future bids to ensure best practice
• Maintain appropriate trackers with comprehensive information (win/loss, contract values, go/no-go decisions, feedback etc.) and contribute to monthly, annual and ad hoc reporting
• Contribute to development and maintenance of bid content library
• Drive the application, continuous improvement and innovation of bid processes, procedures, templates and technology to drive efficiency, quality and best practice across the firm
• Drive the adoption and integration of AI and other technology solutions within the bid process, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, quality, consistency and insight while ensuring appropriate governance and best practice
• Be aware of Brodies’ information security policies, and protect information assets from unauthorised access, disclosure, modification, destruction or interference at all times

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a dedicated proposal/bids role or equivalent legal experience
• Degree level educated
• Previous experience in a professional services environment is desirable

SKILLS

• Communicate and influence at a senior level
• Ability to work under pressure and to challenging deadlines
• Effective time and project management skills
• Excellent communication skills - both written and oral
• Strong written English language skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Negotiation and influencing skills
• Commercial awareness and acumen
• An ability to deal with confidential and sensitive information
• Experience in dealing with a demanding workload and conflicting priorities
• A collaborative working style, able to work on own initiative and as part of a team