Bid Manager

Ocular is an Independent Security Systems Integrator, with expertise built over four decades delivering security solutions for high-security, public space, transport, and infrastructure projects throughout the UK and Ireland.Committed to building long-lasting customer relationships, we do so by delivering an exceptional service - every step of the way.

Ocular has built strong partnerships with leading technology providers to enable us to keep at the forefront of technological advances and deliver innovative and reliable solutions that aretailored to every customer's needs.

Job Description

The Bid Manager will be responsible for the management and coordination of the end-to-end bid cycle, ensuring effective delivery of high-quality, compliant, compelling and strategically aligned proposals.

Working closely with Head of Commercial and Bids, the role will support the pursuit of opportunities that align with an ambitious growth plan, providing structured process management and robust governance throughout each bidding activity.

The Bid Manager will develop compelling content generation and collateral, lead stakeholder engagement across the business, coordinating Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to secure technical, operational and commercially accurate, timely, and high-value inputs and outputs that strengthens our compelling proposition. The Bid Manager will employ disciplined bid cycle management and project planning to maintain control of timelines, responsibilities, and deliverables.

Through strong organisational capability, analytical insight, and professional communication, the Bid Manager will play a critical role in developing winning proposals and supporting sustainable growth.

Key Responsibilities

Bid Leadership and Lifecycle Management

• Lead, coordinate, and manage the full end-to-end bid cycle from opportunity qualification through to submission, presentation, negotiation support, and contract handover.
• Maintain overall ownership of bid process, structure, compliance, quality, and delivery.
• Develop and communicate clear bid plans, schedules, responsibilities, governance stages, and milestone reviews to ensure timely delivery.

Content Quality, Proposal Writing, and Presentation

• Develop high-quality content and collateral generation, editing, and content structuring to ensure clarity, coherence, and impact.
• Develop compelling narratives, win themes, and value propositions to differentiate against competitors.
• Oversee the visual and formatting standards of the proposal, ensuring a professional, consistent, and customer-focused presentation.

SME Coordination and Content Development

• Coordination of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to gather technical, operational, commercial, and value-based content.
• Ensure SME inputs are accurate, timely, customer focused and aligned with the strategic solution narrative.
• Translate complex SME information into clear, compelling, and evaluable proposal content.

Planning, Monitoring, and Risk Management

• Develop and manage detailed bid project plans, risk logs, compliance matrices, action trackers and lessons learnt logs.
• Monitor progress, identify and escape issues early, and adapt plans as necessary to meet deadlines.
• Maintain strong oversight of capacity, resource allocation, and prioritisation across multiple concurrent bids.

Stakeholder Engagement and Internal Coordination

• Act as the central point of coordination for all stakeholders involved in the bid, ensuring seamless communication and alignment.
• Engage with operational, technical, commercial, financial, legal, HR, cyber/security, and compliance teams to capture accurate and authoritative inputs.
• Facilitate solution development workshops, storyboarding sessions, and win-theme creation activities.
• Coordinate all members of the wider bid team, including solution architects, designers, reviewers, and contributors.
• Organise and lead bid kick-off sessions, progress meetings, and final review sessions.
• Support team members with guidance, clarity of responsibilities, and removal of blockers.

Customer Engagement and External Interface

• Manage clarification questions, customer communications, and support the sales team during presentations, solution demonstrations, or evaluation phases.
• Ensure all external communications reflect accuracy, professionalism, and compliance.

Process Governance and Compliance

• Implement and oversee structured bid management processes, ensuring transparency, traceability, and consistency across all bid activities.
• Ensure all proposals comply with customer instructions (ITT, RFP, RFI, ITN, RFQ, SQ, PQQ), regulatory requirements, and internal quality standards.
• Manage risk assessments, clarification processes, commercial checks, and formal governance approvals.

Commercial and Financial Alignment

• Coordinate with the commercial and finance teams to support pricing development, cost modelling, risk identification, and value assessment.
• Ensure pricing aligns with customer requirements, competitive positioning, and the commercial strategy.

Knowledge Management and Continuous Improvement

• Capture lessons learned from each bid and feed them into a continuous improvement cycle.
• Maintain and enhance bid libraries, templates, content, case studies, and CVs.
• Contribute to capability development, best-practice methodologies, and enhancement of the bid function.

Governance, Reporting, and Assurance

• Provide regular reporting to Head of Commercial and Bids on bid status, risks, resource requirements, conversions, success rates and outcomes.
• Support audit and assurance activities related to bidding, compliance, and commercial governance.
• Maintain confidentiality, integrity, and security of all sensitive bid documentation and data.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or suitable experience.
• Experience in line management.
• Knowledge of the electronic and physical security integration industry.
• Proven bid management with a minimum of 5 years' experience.
• Sales / Commercial training or experience (desirable).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite.
• Familiarity with bid management tools.
• Familiarity with CRM systems.
• APMP or similar accreditation / membership beneficial.

What We Offer

We offer a range of benefits that help make Ocular a great place to work. Please note that benefits may vary depending on region and role.

• Flexible Working, Around Core Hours
• Life Assurance (4 x Annual Salary)
• Carry Over Holidays (Up To 5)
• Reward & Recognition Programme
• Long Service Rewards

Learning & Development

Our focus is on providing a framework for development, which goes beyond just attending training courses and obtaining qualifications.

Instead, it includes coaching and mentoring support, helping you to reach your full potential, and providing recognition for a job well done.

CompanyValues

Ocular is part of Synectics plc. Our company values underpin everything we do, and we consistently recognise individuals within our business who demonstrate these behaviours.

We Are Human -We look at business in terms of people: our colleagues, our customers, and above all the people we keep safe

We Are Enterprising -We are creative and innovative; we are solution-led and relentless in our quest to find the right outcome

We Are Customer-Driven -We are committed to our customers; our customers' needs guide everything we do

We Are Honourable -We do what we say we will do, and we do the right thing

Our Commitment to Equality and Diversity

Synectics plc and its subsidiaries are committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment and in our employment policies for recruitment, selection, training, development, and promotion. Such policies are in place to ensure that both job applicants and employees of Synectics receive equal treatment regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Eligibility for Employment in the UK

In accordance with current legislative requirements within the UK, any successful applicant must produce verification of their eligibility to live and work in the UK. Such verification should be taken in advance of the employment start date and the applicant will be unable to start in their role until this has been received by Ocular.