Head of Bids & New Business
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Job Summary
Head of Bids & New Business
Competitive salary (depending on experience)
London Hybrid
Full time Permanent
Role details
- Location: London (Hybrid 3 days in the London office 2 days from home)
- Reporting to: Director Policy Research Centre
- Team: Lead a small New Business team (Bid Manager Administrator)
The National Centre for Social Research are hiring a senior bid leader to take ownership of their new business and bidding function.
Youll bring structure pace and consistently high standards to how NatCen shape opportunities and deliver bids working closely with Directors and research leaders.
Key Responsibilities
- Own the bid function end-to-end set the standard shape how we work and make sure bids are planned written and submitted with confidence and consistency.
- Lead high-stakes bids steer complex high-value submissions bring clarity to the story and apply rigorous quality checks before anything goes out of the door.
- Bring pace and accountability run kick-offs and check-ins lock timelines unblock teams and keep everyone aligned so bids dont drift.
- Improve how NatCen shows up to commissioners strengthen messaging positioning and why us so bids read clearly and reflect NatCens credibility.
- Build a repeatable bid playbook templates strong examples and a shared approach so teams can produce high-quality bids.
- Drive smarter ways of working embed learning from outcomes improve turnaround time and consistency and introduce AI/automation where it genuinely reduces manual effort and raises quality.
- Strengthen collaboration partner closely with Directors and Research Directors and help shape partnerships that make bids stronger and more competitive.
Skills Knowledge & Expertise
- Proven track record of winning competitive publicsector bids/tenders and leading proposal writing.
- Good understanding of the research/policy commissioning landscape and what strong bids look like.
- Confident collaborative style able to influence senior stakeholders and hold high standards.
- Comfortable owning the function (not just facilitating) and improving processes that teams will actually use.
- A research background is helpful (social research ideal) but not essential if youve led bids in a similar environment.
- If youre a bid leader who enjoys improving quality strengthening ways of working and helping teams win the right work wed love to hear from you.
Job Benefits
As well as a competitive salary performance related bonus structure and excellent working environment (including a home/office hybrid working environment) you will be working for the largest independent social research organisation in the UK. We are proud of the benefits we offer our employees which include:
- 25 days holiday (plus 8 bank holidays) rising to 30 days after 3 years of service.
- Flexible working
- Generous company pension scheme
- Life insurance and health cash plan
- Cycle to Work scheme and season ticket loan
Career development professional subscriptions support and mentoring support from industry-leading experts
Required Experience:
Director
About Company
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