Bid Manager, Business

Ocular is an Independent Security Systems Integrator, with expertise built over four decades delivering security solutions for high-security, public space, transport, and infrastructure projects throughout the UK and Ireland.

Committed to building long-lasting customer relationships, we do so by delivering an exceptional service - every step of the way.

Ocular has built strong partnerships with leading technology providers to enable us to keep at the forefront of technological advances and deliver innovative and reliable solutions that are tailored to every customer’s needs.

The Bid Manager will be responsible for the management and coordination of the end-to-end bid cycle, ensuring effective delivery of high-quality, compliant, compelling and strategically aligned proposals.

Working closely with Head of Commercial and Bids, the role will support the pursuit of opportunities that align with an ambitious growth plan, providing structured process management and robust governance throughout each bidding activity.

The Bid Manager will develop compelling content generation and collateral, lead stakeholder engagement across the business, coordinating Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to secure technical, operational and commercially accurate, timely, and high-value inputs and outputs that strengthens our compelling proposition. The Bid Manager will employ disciplined bid cycle management and project planning to maintain control of timelines, responsibilities, and deliverables.

Through strong organisational capability, analytical insight, and professional communication, the Bid Manager will play a critical role in developing winning proposals and supporting sustainable growth.

Bid Leadership and Lifecycle Management

• Lead, coordinate, and manage the full end-to-end bid cycle from opportunity qualification through to submission, presentation, negotiation support, and contract handover.
• Maintain overall ownership of bid process, structure, compliance, quality, and delivery.
• Develop and communicate clear bid plans, schedules, responsibilities, governance stages, and milestone reviews to ensure timely delivery.

Content Quality, Proposal Writing, and Presentation

• Develop high-quality content and collateral generation, editing, and content structuring to ensure clarity, coherence, and impact.
• Develop compelling narratives, win themes, and value propositions to differentiate against competitors.
• Oversee the visual and formatting standards of the proposal, ensuring a professional, consistent, and customer-focused presentation.

SME Coordination and Content Development

• Coordination of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to gather technical, operational, commercial, and value-based content.
• Ensure SME inputs are accurate, timely, customer focused and aligned with the strategic solution narrative.
• Translate complex SME information into clear, compelling, and evaluable proposal content.

Planning, Monitoring, and Risk Management

• Develop and manage detailed bid project plans, risk logs, compliance matrices, action trackers and lessons learnt logs.
• Monitor progress, identify and escape issues early, and adapt plans as necessary to meet deadlines.
• Maintain strong oversight of capacity, resource allocation, and prioritisation across multiple concurrent bids.

Stakeholder Engagement and Internal Coordination

• Act as the central point of coordination for all stakeholders involved in the bid, ensuring seamless communication and alignment.
• Engage with operational, technical, commercial, financial, legal, HR, cyber/security, and compliance teams to capture accurate and authoritative inputs.
• Facilitate solution development workshops, storyboarding sessions, and win-theme creation activities.
• Coordinate all members of the wider bid team, including solution architects, designers, reviewers, and contributors.
• Organise and lead bid kick-off sessions, progress meetings, and final review sessions.
• Support team members with guidance, clarity of responsibilities, and removal of blockers.

Customer Engagement and External Interface

• Manage clarification questions, customer communications, and support the sales team during presentations,…