Bid Manager

Mills & Reeve is a highly reputable national law firm recognised for investing in its people. Several recent high profile panel appointments have seen an increase in tender activity. Therefore, the firm has created a new role and is looking for a Bid Manager on a permanent basis. You will be responsible to produce tenders across the firm ensuring bid best practice and providing practical support on all aspects the bid process. The role encompasses both managing the bid process and drafting the material, so skills in both areas are essential. Within this specialist role, you will project manage the bid process, utilise the firm's bid automated system to create and produce content, and support the legal team through to presentation and debrief. The role involves strategic input to improve the bidding process and manage projects to drive best practice. This role requires someone who has had significant bids experience, preferably in a professional services environment. You must have managed the bid process as well as implemented new ideas to develop winning strategies. You will need to be able to liaise confidently with internal stakeholders, advising and guiding them through both private and public sector bids process. You must also possess strong writing, proofreading /editing skills and a keen attention to detail. You will need to have good IT knowledge / tender portal skills, proven project management and communications skills. The successful candidate will be proactive self-starter who is motivated to contribute on a strategic and operational level. As a member of the bid team, you will work across the entire range of sectors covered by this leading national law firm, producing business-winning tenders. You will interpret the requirements for bids, advise legal teams on approach, and prepare, coach and mentor them for presentations and pitches to clients. The bid team has thrived on a culture of individual and team development. A key part of your role will be to help develop other members of the team. Other responsibilities strategic projects and input into the continuous development of systems and tender best practice., You will be expected to manage your own workload but draw upon the support and guidance of others. You will join the established team of 8 bid specialists within the firm's friendly marketing team to manage bid activity and help maintain the firm's high win rate. The team is led by a Head of Bids who really champions the growth and development of the Bid team and has actively supported progression and promotion of various team members over the last few years. You will also receive the assistance from the wider team including Senior Bid Manager, Bid Manager, Bid Adviser and Administration support. In addition, at various points of the tender process it is likely you will work with the Head of Client Care, Head of Business Development and various members of the Business Development Team, as well as a range of partners, lawyers and business support specialists.

Given this role, it is likely that your background and experience will include bids experience, preferably in a legal or professional services environment. The role additionally requires someone who has:

• Ideally a marketing qualification from the Chartered Institute of Marketing
• Commercial acumen: understanding of our business and clients / prospective targets businesses and their industries
• Client focus and the development of relevant 'sales' messages
• Project management
• A proactive self-starter who is motivated to contribute on a strategic and operational level.
• Ability to work under pressure whilst keeping your sense of humour and balancing a demanding workload
• Delegation and communication skills
• Ability to draft in compelling, plain English style as well as research and analysis skills
• Ability to influence and persuade key stakeholders and the confidence to talk to clients
The team

Mills & Reeve is centred on achieving more for clients, their businesses and the wider communities we serve. Our clients and their industries benefit from our knowledge and learning, and receive consistent experiences with no surprises. We tell them what they need to know when they need to know it. We build personal relationships, with advice individually tailored to individual need. And if clients need things we don't offer, we draw on our network to give recommendations. Our 1,450 plus people and over 850 lawyers share one vision - achieving more for clients. By joining Mills & Reeve, you'll have the chance to build your skills and experience within a firm that's not only ranked in the top 50 UK law firms, but also one that truly values their people. We're also ranked in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work list, and have been awarded Platinum Investors in People. Our mantra is "Achieve more. Together.", which we feel embodies our purpose and is more than just a catchphrase! Our values are the principles that help us fulfil our purpose. Our people shaped them and live them every day.
• We're ambitious - We aim high, we embrace new ideas and we're passionate about our work
• We're open - We communicate openly and honestly to build trust, and we do what's right
• We care - We're committed to each other, our clients, our communities and the planet
• We collaborate - We're easy to work with, we offer help willingly and we get things done - together
And finally Everyone at Mills & Reeve brings a unique perspective and ideas to the team and we do everything we can to help each person to thrive. We're committed to providing an inclusive and supportive working environment, are happy to consider flexible working arrangements, and want to achieve the right balance for both our people and the firm. We encourage everyone to ask if they feel they need any workplace adjustments, and will do our best to support with these.

As you'd expect, we offer a competitive salary and a wide range of benefits. Click here to find out more about our core benefit offering.