Job Title: Senior Bid Writing Manager
Location: Newton Aycliffe, Head Office (hybrid working considered)
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Salary Band: 5 – £35K to £55K

Job Purpose

The Bid Writing Manager will be responsible for leading and managing all tendering, bid writing and funding application activity for Optimum Skills. This role will play a critical part in securing new funding streams and commercial opportunities across Apprenticeships, Adult Skills Fund (ASF), Bootcamps and other education and skills contracts.

The postholder will coordinate the end-to-end bid process, working collaboratively with senior leaders, curriculum, quality, finance and operations teams to produce high-quality, compliant and compelling submissions. The role requires excellent written communication skills, strong project management capability, attention to detail and a sound understanding of the further education and skills funding landscape.

Key Responsibilities

• Bid & Tender Management: Lead the full lifecycle of bids and tenders, including identification of opportunities, bid/no-bid decisions, planning, writing, review, submission and post-submission activity.

• Funding Opportunity Scanning: Proactively identify and evaluate new funding and commercial opportunities across Apprenticeships, ASF, Bootcamps, ESFA, DfE, combined authorities and other commissioning bodies.

• Bid Writing & Content Development: Write, edit and coordinate high-quality responses that clearly articulate Optimum Skills’ strengths, quality, impact, value for money and compliance with specification requirements.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Work closely with internal teams (quality, curriculum, operations, finance, MIS and senior leadership) to gather evidence, data and narrative to support bids.

• Compliance & Quality Assurance: Ensure all submissions are fully compliant with tender specifications, funding rules and evaluation criteria, meeting deadlines and required formats.

• Bid Library & Knowledge Management: Develop and maintain a central bid library, case studies, policies, performance data and standard responses to improve efficiency and consistency.

• Continuous Improvement: Analyse feedback from unsuccessful bids and incorporate learning into future submissions to improve success rates.

• Pipeline & Planning: Maintain a clear bid pipeline and forward plan, ensuring capacity and resources are aligned to upcoming opportunities.

• Partnership & Consortium Bids: Support the development of partnerships, subcontracting and consortium arrangements, contributing to collaborative bids where appropriate.

• Performance Reporting: Provide regular reports to senior leadership on bid activity, success rates, pipeline value and strategic opportunities.

• Cross-Functional Support: Contribute to organisational growth by supporting strategic planning, market positioning and service development linked to future funding priorities.

• Additional Responsibilities: Undertake any other reasonable duties as required to support the growth, sustainability and continuous improvement of Optimum Skills.

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Qualifications, Competence & Behaviours

• Proven experience in bid writing, tender management or funding applications within the education, skills or public sector environment.

• Strong understanding of the FE and skills funding landscape, including Apprenticeships, ASF, Bootcamps, ESFA and DfE commissioning.

• Exceptional written communication skills with the ability to write clearly, persuasively and accurately for different audiences.

• Demonstrable experience of managing multiple deadlines and complex projects simultaneously.

• High level of attention to detail with a strong focus on quality and compliance.

• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across teams.

• Confident using IT systems, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and digital collaboration tools.

• Experience of developing policies, procedures and quality narratives to support bids.

• Analytical and solution-focused, with the ability to interpret specifications and scoring methodologies.

• Demonstrates behaviours aligned to Company Values and a commitment to continuous improvement.

• Willingness to undertake relevant CPD to maintain knowledge of funding, commissioning and best practice.

• Must hold or be willing to undertake an Enhanced DBS disclosure.

• Provide references satisfactory to the Company.

Company Benefits

Health Cash Plan (after 3 months of employment), which includes:

• Get up to 100% money back on everyday healthcare costs.
• Claim on dental, optical, chiropody, health screening, physiotherapy and more.

Wellbeing Package which includes:

• 24/7 counselling and support helpline.
• Direct line to a doctor via phone or video chat.
• Online health and lifestyle analysis.
• Deals and discounts from high-quality brands including Tesco, Asda, Sainsburys, Adidas, PureGym, Curry’s, Boots, Just Eat and many more!
• Career progression opportunities.
• Funded training available to all employees.
• Birthday off after 1 year of service.
• Flexi Time.
• Family Fun Days.
• Working from Home Policy

Equal Opportunities

As an equal opportunity employer, we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, transgender status, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

Essential Criteria

Learners are at the centre of everything we do so we are committed to safeguarding and promoting their welfare. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check, provide satisfactory references and prove their eligibility to work in the UK.