Interim Head of Bids & Pursuits
12-month FTC
£90,000-£95,000
We are supporting a leading professional services firm with the appointment of an Interim Head of Bids & Pursuits to provide maternity cover.
This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for overseeing the end-to-end bid lifecycle while helping evolve the organisation’s approach from a reactive bidding model to a more strategic pursuits-led function. The successful individual will play a key role in strengthening win strategy, improving bid quality and enabling the business to convert more opportunities in a competitive market.
Working closely with senior stakeholders across the business, the role will lead the bid function, manage a small team, and embed best-practice processes that support sustainable growth.
The Role The Interim Head of Bids & Pursuits will oversee the full bid lifecycle, from opportunity qualification through to submission and post-bid review. The role will focus on building robust win strategies, producing high-quality proposals and pitches, and coaching teams to deliver compelling presentations.
Alongside delivery, the position will drive continuous improvement of the bid process, analysing performance, embedding lessons learned and implementing tools and systems that support a more efficient and strategic approach to business development.
Key Responsibilities
Key experience includes:
12-month FTC
£90,000-£95,000
We are supporting a leading professional services firm with the appointment of an Interim Head of Bids & Pursuits to provide maternity cover.
This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for overseeing the end-to-end bid lifecycle while helping evolve the organisation’s approach from a reactive bidding model to a more strategic pursuits-led function. The successful individual will play a key role in strengthening win strategy, improving bid quality and enabling the business to convert more opportunities in a competitive market.
Working closely with senior stakeholders across the business, the role will lead the bid function, manage a small team, and embed best-practice processes that support sustainable growth.
The Role The Interim Head of Bids & Pursuits will oversee the full bid lifecycle, from opportunity qualification through to submission and post-bid review. The role will focus on building robust win strategies, producing high-quality proposals and pitches, and coaching teams to deliver compelling presentations.
Alongside delivery, the position will drive continuous improvement of the bid process, analysing performance, embedding lessons learned and implementing tools and systems that support a more efficient and strategic approach to business development.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the end-to-end bid and tender process, ensuring a structured, high-quality approach to opportunity conversion
- Partner with senior stakeholders to develop clear win strategies aligned with strategic client priorities
- Support the business in transitioning from a traditional bid model to a more strategic pursuits approach
- Manage bid governance, pipeline visibility and prioritisation in collaboration with marketing and business development teams
- Lead bid kick-offs and stakeholder meetings, ensuring alignment and engagement across pursuit teams
- Oversee the production of high-impact proposals, tenders and pitch materials
- Coach teams on pitch delivery and presentation best practice, including rehearsal and feedback
- Manage and develop a small bid team, ensuring effective delivery against deadlines
- Implement and maintain a bid content library and self-serve resources to improve efficiency and consistency
- Analyse win/loss data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement
- Lead post-bid debriefs and embed lessons learned into future pursuits
- Drive best practice processes and continuous improvement across the bid function
Key experience includes:
- Proven experience leading a bid or pursuits function, ideally within professional or financial services
- Track record of implementing bid best practice and improving win rates
- Strong experience managing complex tenders and high-value pursuits
- Ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead cross-functional teams
- Experience managing or mentoring a small bids team
- Strong project management and organisational skills
- Excellent written communication and proposal development capability
- Confident coaching presentation teams and supporting pitch delivery
- Familiarity with bid management tools and Microsoft Office suite
