Bid Manager job description template
If you are hiring for this role, start here. This free template is our detailed definition of the position, with everything you need to find and hire the right person. Copy it, add your own requirements, and post it.
What is a Bid Manager?
Bid Managers are in charge of creating and overseeing bids, which are detailed and persuasive proposals on behalf of organizations or companies to gain a business contract from another.
Bid Managers’ job is to ensure bid processes are successful, within deadlines and budgets, and in compliance with federal and state laws.
Bid Managers also devise and establish bidding strategies, collect the required information to write comprehensive bid proposals, and liaise and negotiate with vendors and contractors regarding the bid preparation.
The top Bid Manager skills.
Five things separate a strong hire from a résumé that reads well. Use these as your scorecard criteria.
The job description, ready to post.
Copy it as written, or edit it until it sounds like your company. Both work.
Our company is looking for a responsible and experienced Bid Manager to join our growing team. In this position, you will be in charge of identifying and reviewing opportunities for bid submission, developing effective bidding strategies, and collecting information to write detailed bid proposals. You will also monitor bidding processes to ensure they comply with federal and state laws and make sure they stay within deadlines and budget limits.
Your job will also include researching key points to include in bids, liaising with potential contractors and vendors, and negotiating with them to maintain favorable prices for bids. You will also evaluate technical and commercial risks related to bids and respond to clients’ inquiries related to the bidding process.
To be successful as a Bid Manager, you should have excellent communication, negotiation, decision-making, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Duties and responsibilities
- Identify and review opportunities for bid submissions to ensure they meet the company criteria
- Devise and establish bidding strategies to sell the company’s services and attract clients
- Estimate project costs based on bids from contractors
- Prepare and write bid packages for public entities, such as school districts or municipalities
- Monitor the bidding process to ensure they stay within deadlines and budget limits
- Ensure bidding processes comply with federal and state laws and regulations
- Research key points to include in the bid and write detailed bidding proposals
- Collaborate with team members to obtain the required information to compile a bid
- Identify and evaluate the technical and commercial risks related to the bid
- Negotiate with vendors and contractors to maintain favorable prices for bids
- Respond to clients’ or stakeholders’ inquiries related to bidding processes
- Oversee and manage a bid budget and track costs of bid elements
- Liaise with contractors and vendors regarding the bid preparation
- Research market trends to ensure bids stay up-to-date
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, engineering, economics, or a related field
- Working experience as a Bid Manager or Bid Writer
- Strong industry knowledge
- Familiarity with relevant federal and state laws
- Outstanding verbal and written communication
- Excellent negotiation skills
- Effective problem-solving and decision-making
- Research and organization skills
Take the template with you
Copy it straight into your job board or ATS, or have it emailed to you with the interview questions for this role.
What education this role needs.
Bid Managers usually need a relevant educational background to pursue this type of career.
Suitable degrees include a Bachelor’s degree in business administration, economics, finance, or a similar field.
Before advancing to Bid Managers, prospective candidates typically start their career as bid administrators or bid writers.
Sample interview questions for a Bid Manager.
Once you have gathered the applications, work through these in order. Twelve questions across four areas, enough to tell your shortlist apart.
- How would your family and friends briefly describe you?
- What are your greatest weaknesses?
- Did you have a dream job when you were a child?
- In what ways do you think your education prepared you for this role?
- Where do you see yourself professionally a few years from now?
- What is your preferred salary for this position?
- What does your typical working day as a Bid Manager look like?
- How do you most effectively manage and monitor project budgets?
- How do you ensure that the bids you offer are competitive?
- What are the most important factors you should consider when preparing a bid proposal?
- How do you determine if a contractor is qualified for a certain bidding process?
- What methods do you typically use to stay up-to-date with market trends?
How much to pay when hiring.
Annual pay by percentile. Where you land depends on the size of the cycle they will own, and the 25th percentile is usually where a first analyst hire sits.
Hourly equivalents run from $16 at the 10th percentile to $57 at the 90th.
Candidates may apply under a different name.
Post the title your industry uses and keep the rest of the description. These three roles overlap enough that the same posting usually reaches all of them.
Three titles, one description.
Search behavior varies by industry, so the same job is advertised under several names. If you are unsure which one your candidates search for, run two titles and see which fills.
Deal Manager
Pursuit Leader
Frequently asked questions.
What do Bid Managers do?
Bid Managers are professionals who identify opportunities for bid submissions for a company or organization.
They collect relevant information and write detailed bid proposals, monitor bidding processes, and negotiate prices and terms with vendors and contractors.
Where do Bid Managers work?
The most common field where Bid Managers can work include construction and engineering companies, property management firms, technology companies, etc.
How much do Bid Managers earn per year?
Bid Managers earn between $31,500 and $118,000 annually.
What skills should Bid Managers have?
Bid Managers should have outstanding verbal and written communication, negotiation, analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
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