Bid Writer - Civil Engineering

Bid Writer

Division: Civil Engineering

Location: Hillsborough, Northern Ireland

Pension, Subsidised Private Medical Cover, Life Assurance Scheme, Car Allowance

Job Summary

The Bid Writer is a key member of GRAHAM's Civil Engineering work-winning team, developing high-quality, compliant and compelling submissions for major infrastructure frameworks, projects and strategic opportunities. Working closely with operational, technical and commercial specialists, the role turns complex delivery solutions and project evidence into clear, customer-focused responses that address evaluation criteria, communicate value and improve our prospects of success.

The Bid Writer also helps strengthen GRAHAM's business-winning capability by improving bid processes, developing reusable evidence and case studies, capturing lessons learned and promoting a consistent, evaluator-focused approach across submissions.

Job Description

Bid Development & Management

• Prepare, write and edit bid responses, proposals, pre-qualification questionnaires (PQQs) and tender submissions.
• Analyse tender documentation, deconstruct each question and identify explicit and implied requirements, evaluation criteria, scoring opportunities, dependencies and submission deliverables.
• Plan and coordinate assigned writing activities, working to the bid programme and escalating gaps, risks or delays early to support an on-time, compliant submission.
• Develop clear, persuasive and evidence-led responses that communicate GRAHAM's proposed solution, customer benefits, differentiators, delivery confidence and relevant experience.
• Ensure all submissions comply with client instructions and governance requirements.

Content Development

• Interview and challenge technical, operational and commercial specialists to draw out the solution, delivery detail, evidence, benefits and differentiators required for each response.
• Translate technical information into clear and accessible content suitable for a range of audiences.
• Support the development and maintenance of our library of approved bid content, project evidence, quantified outcomes, case studies, CVs and supporting materials, ensuring information remains accurate, current and reusable.
• Tailor each response to the customer, opportunity and evaluation criteria, using agreed win themes and evidence to answer the question directly and maximise the available score.
• Support the continuous improvement of bid content and quality standards.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Build effective working relationships with operational, commercial and support functions.
• Facilitate the collection and review of information from internal contributors.
• Support bid review meetings and coordinate feedback throughout the submission process.
• Communicate progress, risks and actions to relevant stakeholders.

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure all bid submissions are professionally presented, accurate and complete.
• Review content for consistency, grammar, style and compliance with client requirements.
• Support quality assurance processes and final submission reviews.
• Maintain document control and version management throughout the bid lifecycle.

Process Improvement

• Contribute to lessons learned activities following bid submissions.
• Identify opportunities to improve bid processes, templates and content libraries.
• Support the implementation of best practice in bid writing and bid management.
• Keep up to date with developments in UK and Ireland public procurement, infrastructure bidding, evaluation practice, social value and relevant regulatory requirements, including the Procurement Act 2023 and the parallel procurement arrangements that apply across the UK.

This job description is intended to give the post holder an appreciation of the role envisaged and the range of duties to be undertaken. It does not attempt to detail every activity. Specific tasks and objectives will be agreed with the post holder at regular intervals

Personal Specification

Technical Competencies

Essential

• Experience producing high-quality written submissions, proposals, tenders or bids.
• Excellent written communication skills with the ability to present information clearly and concisely.
• Ability to analyse tender requirements and develop structured responses.
• Strong proofreading and editing skills.
• Ability to coordinate multiple deadlines and competing priorities.
• Confident use of Microsoft 365, particularly Word, PowerPoint and Excel, with the ability to learn and use bid management, and knowledge-management tools effectively.
• Experience working collaboratively with a range of stakeholders.

Desirable

• Experience in civil engineering, construction or infrastructure bidding, particularly for public-sector clients, major frameworks or complex project opportunities.
• Understanding of public and private sector procurement processes.
• Experience using bid management or customer relationship management (CRM) systems.
• We welcome candidates with any of the following: APMP certification or recognised bid-writing or proposal-management training; a qualification in Business, Marketing, Communications, English or a related discipline; a Civil Engineering or related degree combined with a flair and passion for writing; or equivalent relevant experience.

Behavioural Competencies

• Communicates information effectively in written and verbal formats.
• Plans and organises work to meet agreed deadlines.
• Produces accurate and high-quality work with attention to detail.
• Collaborates effectively with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Deconstructs complex tender questions, identifies what the evaluator requires and plans logical, evidence-led responses that address each requirement.
• Adapts to changing priorities and business requirements.
• Takes responsibility for agreed actions and deliverables.
• Identifies opportunities for improvement and contributes ideas constructively.
• Supports an inclusive and respectful working environment.
• Demonstrates a commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

This is an opportunity to join an established Civil Engineering work-winning team and contribute to major infrastructure bids and frameworks. You will work with experienced technical and operational specialists, develop your understanding of complex projects and help shape the evidence-led submissions through which GRAHAM secures future work.

Our Commitment

At GRAHAM, we are proud to say that we are a committed Equal Opportunities Employer and we aim to be the first choice for people from all backgrounds. We seek to promote respect for the individual and equality of opportunities. We believe that everyone should be treated solely on the basis of personal merit and contribution throughout their GRAHAM career journey and not on the value of artificial barriers, prejudices, or preferences.

If you require any adjustments or accommodations during the application or interview process, please let us know. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

We are dedicated to making our policies and guidance accessible to all applicants and employees. If you need this document in an alternative format, such as large print, audio, or braille, please contact us at:

· Email: [email protected]

· Phone: 07384 916355

As a Disability Confident Employer, we guarantee an interview to disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role. If you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme, please contact Louise Hunter, Resourcing Manager, at:

· Email: [email protected]

· Phone: 07384 916355

We are only able to consider applications from individuals who are eligible to live and work in the UK, as per Home Office regulations. Please check your eligibility with the regulations before applying. Individuals with a current time restricted right to work in the UK, should contact the Human Resources team in the first instance.

A basic disclosure may be requested if security clearance is required by 3rd party clients and a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position. Our Access NI/Vetting and Barring Scheme Policy and Policy on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders is available upon request.

GRAHAM reserves the right to carry out checks to ensure the validity of an applicant's experience and/or qualifications and we expect all applicants to comply with any such requests for information. Failure to do so or evidence of any falsification of information will lead to either removal from the recruitment process or if already in employment potential termination of contract through the company disciplinary procedure.