Bid Manager
At a glance
Mid-level Revenue & Sales Operations role at Arriva. Ascot Drive Derby · full-time · £50,000–£55,000 base.
Growth Roles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Run each qualified opportunity through submission and contract award, coordinating Operations, Finance, Legal and HR input
- Shape customer requirements into practical transport plans, including costs, pricing support, commercial models and identified risks
- Control bid schedules, governance, tender portals, clarifications, CRM updates and submission details across several live opportunities
- Write tailored proposals, refresh content libraries and case studies, then present solutions in client discussions
- Pass successful bids into mobilisation and coach the Commercial Bids Executive through opportunity progression
What you bring
- You have managed bids end to end, from initial opportunity assessment through winning the contract
- You bring strong proposal writing experience from formal tender and procurement settings
- You understand pricing support and commercial modelling, alongside disciplined project and deadline management
- You can engage stakeholders clearly and have supported or mentored junior colleagues
- You are comfortable with Microsoft Office and CRM systems; APMP or eTendering experience would strengthen your application
Who this fits
This suits an experienced Bid Manager who can balance persuasive writing with commercially workable transport solutions. You will work in Derby on a hybrid basis, report to the Head of Commercial Bids and support a junior colleague. The role is permanent and pays £50,000 to £55,000 per year.
From the employer
Bid Manager
Location: Derby (Hybrid Working)
Contract: Permanent
Company: Arriva Road Transport Services (ARTS)
Salary: £50,000 - £55,000
Who We Are
Are you a talented bid professional looking for your next challenge? Do you have the commercial awareness, writing skills and drive to help win new business and support ambitious growth plans?
If you're looking for a role where your contributions are valued, your ideas make a real impact and you're part of a growing and collaborative team, we'd love to hear from you.
At Arriva Road Transport Services (ARTS), we exist to prove that alternative transport can be better than the journey it replaces. Every year, we deliver over 80,000 rail replacement journeys, facilitate more than 20,000 train crew taxi journeys, and provide dedicated frontline support to customers across the UK.
As we continue to grow, we're expanding into new markets and seeking a Bid Manager to play a key role in securing new business opportunities and helping shape the future of our organisation.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the Head of Commercial Bids, you'll take ownership of bid opportunities from qualification through to submission, working closely with operational, finance and commercial stakeholders to develop winning solutions and compelling proposals.
This is a hands-on role for an experienced Bid Manager who enjoys developing bid content, designing commercially viable solutions and managing multiple opportunities within a fast-paced environment. You'll also support the development of a Commercial Bids Executive and contribute to the continued growth of the ARTS business.
What You'll Be Doing
Bid & Proposal Management
Manage the full bid lifecycle from qualified opportunity through to submission and contract award
Develop persuasive, high-quality bid responses tailored to customer requirements
Coordinate contributions from Operations, Finance, Legal and HR teams
Manage bid plans, timelines and governance processes to ensure successful submissions
Maintain and continuously improve bid content libraries, case studies and supporting documentation
Solution Design & Commercial Development
Translate customer requirements into practical, deliverable transport solutions
Work with operational teams to develop costed and commercially viable proposals
Support pricing development and commercial modelling activities
Identify risks, assumptions and opportunities within proposed solutions
Engage with suppliers and supply chain partners to support bid development
Pipeline & Opportunity Management
Manage multiple live opportunities across a varied pipeline
Support bid/no-bid decisions through commercial and strategic assessment
Maintain CRM records and provide regular pipeline updates
Manage tender portals, clarification questions and submission requirements
Work closely with the Commercial Bids Executive to ensure seamless opportunity handover and progression
Client & Stakeholder Engagement
Represent ARTS during client meetings, presentations and clarification discussions
Build positive relationships with procurement teams and key stakeholders
Support the transition of successful bids into operational mobilisation
Ensure contractual commitments and commercial assumptions are effectively handed over to delivery teams
What We're Looking For
Proven experience managing the full bid lifecycle from opportunity through to award
Strong bid writing and proposal development skills
Experience working within formal tender and procurement environments
Commercial awareness and experience supporting pricing or commercial modelling activities
Excellent project management and organisational skills
The ability to manage multiple concurrent bids and deadlines
Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills
Experience mentoring or supporting junior colleagues
Strong Microsoft Office and CRM system skills
Experience within transport, rail, logistics, infrastructure or managed services environments would be advantageous. APMP qualifications and experience using eTendering platforms would also be desirable.
Why Join Arriva
At ARTS, you'll join an ambitious and growing business where you'll play a direct role in shaping our future success.
We offer:
Competitive salary
Hybrid working
Free travel on Arriva branded rail services across the country
Arriva Village employee discounts
Employee Assistance Programme with 24-hour confidential support
Opportunities for professional development and career progression
Ready to Help Drive Our Growth?
If you're an experienced Bid Manager looking for an opportunity to make a real impact within a growing organisation, we'd love to hear from you.
Not this one either?
Claude or ChatGPT reads the other 86,068 for you.
Get better matches →
