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Management & LeadershipISCO 1221

Bid manager

A bid manager is a person who researches and selects tenders, analyses them and submits the company's bids.

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Rate 5 of the 12 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

report on grants

perform risk analysis

carry out tendering

evaluate project plans

manage project changes

About bid manager

The work starts with selecting tenders. The bid manager reads the tender documents, weighs the requirements of the tendering organisation against what the company can actually deliver, and recommends whether to bid at all. Where the answer is yes, they run the tender process: gathering the technical content, calculating costs, carrying out risk analysis and estimating what could go wrong and what it would cost. The bid manager also manages the costs and resources the company commits to preparing a bid.

The bid manager is responsible for communication with the contracting company or institution, which means asking clarifying questions during the tender period and answering theirs. In larger companies they work together with project managers and serve as the interface to the customer.

The bid manager prepares the offer and delivers live presentations of it. They evaluate project plans, manage changes in projects when a tender is amended mid-process, and work with management system implementation so that the bid matches how the company actually operates. Formal requirements are set by the employer.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (12)

project managementproject managementThe discipline of project management, the activities which comprise this area and the variables implied in it, such as time, resources, requirements, deadlines, and responding to unexpected events.cost managementcost managementThe process of planning, monitoring and adjusting the expenses and revenues of a business in order to achieve cost efficiency and capability.report on grantsreport on grantsInform the grant giver and grant receiver accurately and in time about new developments.perform risk analysisperform risk analysisIdentify and assess factors that may jeopardise the success of a project or threaten the organisation's functioning. Implement procedures to avoid or minimise their impact.carry out tenderingcarry out tenderingPlace the request for a quotation to the organisation requesting a tender, then perform the work or supply the goods agreed with them during the tendering process.evaluate project plansevaluate project plansEvaluate proposals and project plans and assess feasibility issues.manage project changesmanage project changesManage requested or identified changes to the original project planning, assess the need to implement the changes and communicate them to the different project stakeholders. Update the relevant projec...deliver business research proposalsdeliver business research proposalsCompile information aimed at impacting positively the bottom line of companies. Investigate and present finding of high relevance for the decision-making process.manage resourcesmanage resourcesManage personnel, machinery and equipment in order to optimise production results, in accordance with the policies and plans of the company.implement a management systemimplement a management systemMake and monitor the changes in business processes that are needed to create a system that collectively manage different parts of the business of an organisation.give live presentationgive live presentationDeliver a speech or talk in which a new product, service, idea, or piece of work is demonstrated and explained to an audience.manage information sourcesmanage information sourcesIdentify relevant internal and external information sources and providers. Organise the information workflow and define information deliverables.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a bid manager do?

Bid managers are responsible for researching and selecting tenders, analysing tenders and submitting tenders. They take into account the requirements of the tendering company and the possibilities for implementation. They take care of both the calculation of costs and the estimation of possible risks. Bid managers are responsible for communication with the contracting company or institutions. They work together with project managers serve as an interface to customers in larger companies. They are often the primarily responsible for the offers (proposals) and their presentation.

What skills does a bid manager need?

A bid manager needs 12 essential skills, including project management, cost management, report on grants, perform risk analysis, carry out tendering.

Will AI replace bid manager jobs?

The AI disruption score for bid manager is 80/100 (very high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: report on grants, cost management, deliver business research proposals. Most resilient: give live presentation, manage resources, implement a management system.

AI Replacement Risk

80/ 100
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Quick Facts

SectorManagement & Leadership
ISCO GroupAdministrative and commercial managers
Essential Skills12

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