Senior Bid Writer

Senior Bid Writer – Civil Engineering / Infrastructure

Location: Midlands (Birmingham / Nottingham / Leicester / Derby catchment)

Salary: £50,000 – £65,000 + Package (DOE)

Employment Type: Permanent

Sector: Civil Engineering, Infrastructure, Highways, Utilities, Rail, Construction

Overview

Smart City Recruiters are supporting a leading civil engineering and infrastructure contractor in the Midlands in their search for a Senior Bid Writer. This is a key strategic role within the work‑winning team, responsible for producing compelling, compliant, and high‑quality bid submissions across highways, infrastructure, utilities, and public‑sector frameworks.

The successful candidate will play a central role in shaping winning narratives, coordinating technical inputs, and driving continuous improvement across the bid function.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the writing, development, and coordination of high‑quality PQQs, SQs, ITTs, and tender submissions
• Translate complex technical information into clear, persuasive, client‑focused content
• Work closely with Bid Managers, Estimators, Planners, Designers, and Operational Teams to gather information and develop winning themes
• Produce structured, compelling responses aligned to client scoring criteria
• Manage multiple bids simultaneously, ensuring deadlines are met and submissions are fully compliant
• Conduct bid reviews, red/amber/green assessments, and quality‑assurance checks
• Develop case studies, project profiles, CVs, and standardised content libraries
• Support storyboarding sessions, solution development, and value‑proposition creation
• Ensure consistency of tone, branding, and messaging across all submissions
• Monitor tender portals, track opportunities, and support pipeline development
• Contribute to continuous improvement of bid processes, templates, and best practice
• Mentor junior bid writers and support their development

Experience Required

Essential Experience

• Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in bid writing within civil engineering, construction, infrastructure, highways, utilities, or related sectors
• Proven track record of contributing to successful tender wins
• Strong understanding of public‑sector procurement (NEC, JCT, National Highways, Local Authority frameworks)
• Experience producing high‑quality written content for complex technical bids
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, methodologies, and delivery strategies
• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, able to extract information from technical teams

Desirable Experience

• Experience on major frameworks (e.g., National Highways, Environment Agency, Local Authority highways alliances)
• Knowledge of social value, sustainability, and carbon‑reduction themes
• Experience using bid‑management tools (InDesign, Word templates, digital bid platforms)
• Ability to lead storyboarding and solution‑development workshops

Key Skills & Attributes

• Exceptional writing, editing, and communication skills
• Ability to craft persuasive narratives and articulate value propositions
• Highly organised with strong project‑management capability
• Creative thinker with a strategic mindset
• Strong interviewing and information‑gathering skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• High level of professionalism and confidentiality

Qualifications Required

Essential

• Degree in English, Journalism, Business, Marketing, Communications, Construction Management, or related discipline
• Strong literacy, writing, and editing skills with exceptional attention to detail

Desirable

• APMP / Shipley / Bid Writing accreditation
• Professional writing or technical writing qualifications
• CSCS (for site visits)
• Training in proposal management, storyboarding, or structured writing methodologies

For more information, Please forward your up to date CV to cv@smartcityrecruiters.com