Location: Derby (Hybrid Working)
Contract: Permanent
Company: Arriva Road Transport Services (ARTS)
Are you a talented bid professional looking for your next challenge? Do you have the commercial awareness, writing skills and drive to help win new business and support ambitious growth plans?
If you're looking for a role where your contributions are valued, your ideas make a real impact and you're part of a growing and collaborative team, we'd love to hear from you.
At Arriva Road Transport Services (ARTS), we exist to prove that alternative transport can be better than the journey it replaces. Every year, we deliver over 80,000 rail replacement journeys, facilitate more than 20,000 train crew taxi journeys, and provide dedicated frontline support to customers across the UK.
As we continue to grow, we're expanding into new markets and seeking a Bid Manager to play a key role in securing new business opportunities and helping shape the future of our organisation.
Reporting to the Head of Commercial Bids, you'll take ownership of bid opportunities from qualification through to submission, working closely with operational, finance and commercial stakeholders to develop winning solutions and compelling proposals.
This is a hands-on role for an experienced Bid Manager who enjoys developing bid content, designing commercially viable solutions and managing multiple opportunities within a fast-paced environment. You'll also support the development of a Commercial Bids Executive and contribute to the continued growth of the ARTS business.
Manage the full bid lifecycle from qualified opportunity through to submission and contract award
Develop persuasive, high-quality bid responses tailored to customer requirements
Coordinate contributions from Operations, Finance, Legal and HR teams
Manage bid plans, timelines and governance processes to ensure successful submissions
Maintain and continuously improve bid content libraries, case studies and supporting documentation
Translate customer requirements into practical, deliverable transport solutions
Work with operational teams to develop costed and commercially viable proposals
Support pricing development and commercial modelling activities
Identify risks, assumptions and opportunities within proposed solutions
Engage with suppliers and supply chain partners to support bid development
Manage multiple live opportunities across a varied pipeline
Support bid/no-bid decisions through commercial and strategic assessment
Maintain CRM records and provide regular pipeline updates
Manage tender portals, clarification questions and submission requirements
Work closely with the Commercial Bids Executive to ensure seamless opportunity handover and progression
Represent ARTS during client meetings, presentations and clarification discussions
Build positive relationships with procurement teams and key stakeholders
Support the transition of successful bids into operational mobilisation
Ensure contractual commitments and commercial assumptions are effectively handed over to delivery teams
Proven experience managing the full bid lifecycle from opportunity through to award
Strong bid writing and proposal development skills
Experience working within formal tender and procurement environments
Commercial awareness and experience supporting pricing or commercial modelling activities
Excellent project management and organisational skills
The ability to manage multiple concurrent bids and deadlines
Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills
Experience mentoring or supporting junior colleagues
Strong Microsoft Office and CRM system skills
Experience within transport, rail, logistics, infrastructure or managed services environments would be advantageous. APMP qualifications and experience using eTendering platforms would also be desirable.
At ARTS, you'll join an ambitious and growing business where you'll play a direct role in shaping our future success.
We offer:
Competitive salary
Hybrid working
Free travel on Arriva branded rail services across the country
Arriva Village employee discounts
Employee Assistance Programme with 24-hour confidential support
Opportunities for professional development and career progression
If you're an experienced Bid Manager looking for an opportunity to make a real impact within a growing organisation, we'd love to hear from you.
