Organisation: People First

Salary Details: £23,793.00 (£39,655.00 FTE depending on experience)

Closing date for applications: 9 Aug 2024

Job title: Bid Writing Manager

Department: Business Team

Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer

Hours: 22.5 hours per week, full-time considered

Contract: Part time (permanent)

Salary: £23,793.00 (£39,655.00 FTE depending on experience)

Location: Carlisle, Head Office

Holiday Entitlement: Upto a maximum of 40 days FTE  – (20 days leave, plus bank holidays, bonus days at Christmas, Birthday day off, and length of service increments  – 1 additional day per year up to 5 years)
Benefits: Values based organisation 6% pension employer contribution, flexibility of working hours,  staff discount scheme at our eateries, health and wellbeing initiatives

Who we are

People First is an independent customer-led charitable organisation that has worked in Cumbria for over 30 years.

We are passionate about our values of equality, respect, and inclusion. We provide a wide range of support and information services across Cumbria, Lancashire, and the North East, all aimed at helping people to live informed, respected, healthy and fulfilled lives.

Our head office is based in Carlisle, supported by offices in Barrow and Lancashire.

Purpose of job

This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated professional to join our passionate and ambitious charity as we continue to grow. In a fast-paced environment, you will contribute to increasing our income from a diverse range of funding streams; to help us develop and meet our ambitious targets for helping more vulnerable people lead their best lives across Cumbria, Lancashire and the North East.

With tender, trust and grant income being our largest income stream, the postholder will be an exceptional storyteller and problem solver, with the ability to write clearly and concisely, adhere to tight deadlines, ensure we meet bid service specifications and take a methodical and systematic approach to their work. The postholder will have a keen eye for detail and a passion for using their communication skills to effect change.

You will work across the whole organisation and develop a deep understanding of People First by reviewing previous bids and tenders and work in partnership with Directors and Managers to produce high-quality tenders and funding applications to seek to deliver high bid conversion rates and success.

The successful candidate will explore potential areas for funding, income growth and diversification, gather market intelligence and make recommendations and proposals to senior management on which opportunities and applications to progress or not.

You will help develop the internal systems and processes for tracking, delivering and monitoring tender, grant and bid submissions.  You will co-ordinate the bid writing and tender process, engage with appropriate colleagues and teams to collate information, and write and submit high-quality applications within the required timescales.

The postholder will seek to develop a knowledge bank of bid material, evidence and responses to facilitate strategic development of quality and time efficient responses.

Duties will include

• Develop and maintain a database of potential funders, grant giving organisations and commissioners
• Analyse all bid/tender requirements and service specifications, and address these in the writing of winning submissions
• Write compelling, high-quality bids, tenders and applications to meet submission deadlines
• Lead on and work with relevant subject matter experts, department Managers and Directors to design and shape dynamic and creative projects, schemes and initiatives
• Build and maintain positive relationships with key funders and partners, including attending relevant networking events
• Ensure the accurate and timely reporting to funders
• Ensure that accurate research and scoping is completed and incorporated into bids
• Help in the development of proposals, bids, presentations and briefings
• Ensure adherence to and achievement of People First’s strategy, mission and values
• Adhere to all applicable People First policies and procedures
• Exercise absolute integrity in respect of confidential and commercially sensitive information, ensuring our intellectual property and confidential organisational information is protected
• Gather feedback from bids to drive improvements

Other duties

The duties outlined above are not intended to be exhaustive and may change as the needs of the organisation alter in line with current agendas.

Due to the developing nature of our organisation, we require staff to remain highly flexible in their approach, and work to meet the changing needs of the projects.

 The department

You will be based in our Business team but will report directly to our Chief Executive Officer.

Skills, knowledge and experience

We are looking to appoint someone who is/has:

• An exceptional writer with a flair for storytelling
• At least 2 years of demonstratable experience in strong and successful proposal, bid and tender writing; or equivalent relevant experience
• A thorough understanding of the bidding process and ability to demonstrate creative writing skills
• Ability to self-motivate, work on own initiative and be accountable for your own work
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage a complex workload and prioritise effectively, and be process driven with a strong attention to detail
• Exceptional proof reading and editing skills
• Strong IT skills including Microsoft 365/Office (CRM experience is a plus)
• People and project management experience is desirable
• Ability to develop sustainable, close working relationships with key stakeholders
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work well with others
• Commitment to equality and diversity with a capacity to work with a diverse range of people
• A high standard of written and verbal English and strong presentation skills
• Enthusiasm and energy – a ‘can do’ attitude
• Ability to coordinate the input of others and work effectively with people from a range of professional disciplines and backgrounds
• A creative, flexible and enthusiastic approach

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent
• 2 years’ bid writing experience; or equivalent relevant experience
• A UK driving licence is preferred

Person specification

Essential:

• Previous experienced in a similar role, and a proven track records of successfully securing bids, tenders and contracts; or, relevant similar experience of writing, including presenting ideas and telling compelling stories
• Attention to detail, with outstanding writing ability and research skills
• IT proficient with standard Microsoft applications
• Leadership skills – experience of managing people and influencing
• Proven track record of managing multiple work streams and ability to successfully prioritise in a fast-paced environment
• Outstanding communication skills, with the complementary ability to rapidly build and maintain successful relationships

Desirable:

• Previous experience of working in the charity sector; or have transferrable skills
• A strong understanding of the challenges faced by disadvantaged individuals and communities

For more information

If you’d like any further information about the role, or if you have any questions please contact Kate Hodges at  kate.hodges@wearepeoplefirst.co.uk or call 01228 236 348 to arrange a chat.

To Apply

If you’re interested in the role and think you’d be a good fit, we’d like to hear from you.

To apply for this position, please email a copy of your CV including details of two references, to recruitment@wearepeoplefirst.co.uk, or alternatively, you can post for the attention of Barry to People First Conference Centre, Milbourne Street, Carlisle, CA2 5XB

All applications should be clearly marked:

Confidential – Bid Writer

All candidates invited to interview must also bring with them:

• A current passport (if you do not hold a current passport, or you do not hold a British passport, then further evidence will be required as proof of the right to work in the UK)
• Driving licence – photocard
• Official documentation evidencing your current address (e.g., utility bill, bank statement, dated within the past 3 months)
• Where appropriate, any documentation evidencing a change of name

To arrive no later than 5pm, Friday 9^th August 2024