Bids Manager

Job Title: Senior Bids Manager

Shape winning strategies. Influence major opportunities. Help drive the future growth of Foot Anstey.

We’re one of the UK’s most forward-thinking law firms, built on a foundation of innovation, collaboration, and ambition. Join us, and let’s shape the future together.

Being refreshingly human starts with how we hire. We believe a diverse mix of perspectives makes us stronger - not just as a business, but in creating a culture where we all feel we truly belong and can thrive. That’s why we’re committed to removing barriers and creating fair opportunities for everyone.

* We are in a period of exclusive direct sourcing for this role and are not currently accepting applications from recruitment agencies.

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The role in 60 seconds

• Role: Senior Bids Manager (Legal)
• Team: Client Development
• Location: Hybrid working from Bristol or Exeter
• Reporting to: Executive Director, Business Development
• Working Pattern: Full time
• Why this role matters: Delivering the firm's growth ambitions requires focus on the opportunities that matter most. As Senior Bids Manager, you'll lead our strategic pursuits activity, helping identify, shape and convert high-value opportunities across priority sectors, clients and markets. Working closely with partners and Business Development colleagues, you'll ensure that our most important pursuits receive the right level of challenge, support and investment to maximise our chances of success.

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What you’ll do

As a senior member of the Client Development team, you will lead the firm's strategic pursuits activity, working with partners and Business Development colleagues to identify, qualify and convert high-value growth opportunities. While overseeing major bids, tenders and panel appointments, your focus will extend far beyond the submission process, helping shape pursuit strategy, strengthen opportunity management and improve conversion of the firm's most important opportunities.

In this role, you'll:

• Work with partners and Business Development colleagues to develop pursuit strategies, win plans and value propositions that strengthen our competitive position and improve conversion of priority opportunities.
• Lead the delivery of the firm's most significant bids, tenders, panel appointments and pitch opportunities, ensuring a consistently high standard of quality and commercial focus.
• Facilitate opportunity qualification and pursuit review discussions, challenging stakeholders to focus effort and investment on the opportunities most likely to deliver long-term value to the firm.
• Work closely with the Executive Director of Strategic Communications to ensure consistent and compelling messaging, positioning and differentiation across strategic pursuits, bids, pitches and client-facing materials.
• Analyse pursuit performance, win rates and client feedback, using insight to continuously improve the firm's approach to opportunity management and pursuit excellence.
• Act as the firm's centre of excellence for strategic pursuits and bids, embedding best practice, coaching colleagues and helping build a culture of commercial discipline and winning together.

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What we’re looking for

We're looking for an experienced legal bid professional who combines strategic thinking, commercial awareness and exceptional writing skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.

You'll bring:

• Significant experience managing successful bids, tenders and proposals, ideally within a legal environment.
• A proven ability to lead complex opportunities from early-stage capture planning through to submission and debrief.
• Experience navigating a range of procurement processes including RFIs, PQQs, RFPs, ITTs and framework opportunities.
• Outstanding writing, editing and proofreading skills, with an ability to tailor messaging to different audiences.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple deadlines and stakeholders simultaneously.
• The confidence to challenge, influence and guide senior stakeholders to achieve the best outcomes.
• Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to contribute to pricing discussions and overall bid strategy.
• Experience coaching others for pitches, presentations and client interviews.
• A collaborative approach and a passion for continuous improvement and sharing best practice.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills, including the ability to work confidently with data and spreadsheets.
• Experience delivering bid training, facilitating workshops or supporting business development initiatives would be advantageous.

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What if I don't tick every box?

We're not box tickers. We appreciate the need for everyone to find a role that challenges them and gives them room for growth.

If you bring transferable skills and a fresh perspective, we’d love to hear from you. If this role excites you and you have the skills to succeed, we encourage you to apply.

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Join a seriously ambitious firm

At Foot Anstey, we’re committed to making a difference for our people, our clients, and society. Here’s what makes us stand out:

• An ambitious growth strategy that opens up opportunities for our people to make their mark.
• A client base that spans household names, thriving startups, and ambitious enterprises.
• A culture built on our values of being refreshingly human, entrepreneurial, inclusive and collaborative.
• A strong focus on being a responsible business with a commitment to sustainability and giving back to our communities.
• Comprehensive professional development and training – whatever your role and level we have training that will support you to achieve your goals.

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Progressive benefits tailored to you

We believe our people are our greatest asset. That’s why we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your professional growth and personal wellbeing, including:

• Competitive salary and performance-linked bonus.
• Enhanced parental leave policies.
• Private healthcare and wellbeing initiatives.
• An open, flexible working environment.
• Find out more about our benefits and work environment here

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Ready to apply?

• Hit the "Apply Now" button.
  • Send us your CV and a quick note on why this role is perfect for you.
  • Our team will review your application and be in touch, whatever the outcome.
• Invited for interview?
  • With a straightforward process typically involving two interviews, our talent acquisition team will guide you through every step, ensuring you feel confident and prepared to show us what you can do.
  • We want you to be able to showcase your talent and to feel comfortable being yourself throughout the process. If there’s anything we can do to support you or make things more accessible, just let us know – you can tell us at any stage of the process.
  • If you’d like to visit our offices prior to your interview or would like help testing your kit for your virtual interview, just let us know.

Let’s make your next career move the start of something extraordinary.