Bid Specialist

ABOUT THE ROLE & TEAM:

We're seeking a dynamic individual to lead, organize, and oversee customer business opportunities, including managed, major, and complex solutions, with a keen focus on the commercial aspects. This role is pivotal in supporting our business objectives and fostering growth within the region. The ideal candidate will be actively involved throughout the entire proposal project lifecycle, employing a critical eye to challenge solutions and implement best practices for significant or intricate deals. Your mission will be to craft compelling proposals or contracts that align with customer needs while satisfying our commercial, financial, and risk management standards. This role is crucial in ensuring that our organization is represented with professionalism and credibility.

 WHAT YOU WILL DO:

• Strategic Communication Integration: Leverage exceptional internal and external communication skills to develop and execute comprehensive bid communication strategies. This includes crafting clear, persuasive bid narratives and maintaining consistent messaging across all stakeholder communications.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Management: Utilize your proven ability in building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders to ensure alignment, support, and approvals for bid strategies and bid plans. Engage with internal customers, partners, and internal teams to gather insights and feedback that inform bid development and negotiation strategies.
• Commercial & Pricing Support: Actively participate and support in setting up a fit-for-purpose commercial model and pricing level for each business opportunity to maximize the win ratio.
• Contract Negotiations Support: Coordinate the negotiation team in the pre-contract stage with the Customer, including setting up of appropriate commercial partnership agreements and underpinning contracts to support contract deliverables whilst ensuring that the relevant internal expertise is involved in the closure of commercial, financial and legal issues and activities with the customer.
• Crisis and Change Management: Apply your experience in managing crisis and change communications to navigate challenges during the bid process effectively. Ensure all stakeholders are informed and aligned during times of uncertainty or change, leveraging your skills to maintain confidence and support.
• Strategic Planning and Institutional Alignment: Use your background in developing and implementing strategic plans to align bid strategies with the organization's broader goals and objectives. Ensure bids support the organization's mission, vision, and financial objectives.
• Innovative Solutions and Risk Management: Draw on your institutional management experience to identify and mitigate risks associated with bids. Innovate and propose solutions that enhance the organization's competitive edge and ensure compliance with relevant policies and regulations.
• Team Leadership and Culture Building: Lead bid teams by example, utilizing your skills in team leading, team building, and fostering positive workplace cultures. Promote collaboration and ensure your team is motivated, informed, and engaged throughout the bid process.

EXPERIENCE:

•  Minimum 5 years of experience in similar roles with strong project management skills across multiple teams in multiple locations is required.
• Must have real Proposal Management, Sales, Business Development, or Account Management experience.
• Experience in the aviation industry or IT is a plus.
• Hands-on & verifiable experience in bids & proposals, experience in sourcing and/or sales is a plus.
• Experience in developing successful relationships at Mid Management level.
• Experience in managing teams and meeting tight deadlines.
• Preferably having worked in a multinational/corporate environment.

Education & Professional Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree equivalent professional experience in Project Management, Economics, Business Administration.
• Project Management training
• Professional equivalent experience in the Bid Management field or similar is preferred

Knowledge & Skills

•Ability to coordinate multiple projects and initiatives concurrently

•Strong commercial acumen coupled with effective influencing and negotiation skills.

•Strong project and people management skills to establish credibility internally necessary for managing cross-functional and cross-Business Unit bid teams.

•Recognizes, understands, and can create empathy with customer business issues.

•Full understanding of the sales cycle.

•Clear understanding of proposal management processes including pre-proposal planning, strategy development and storyboarding, and strategic proposal writing skills.

•Sector-Specific Knowledge Acquisition: Ability to quickly gain and apply knowledge relevant to the bids being managed, using advanced research and analytical skills to inform strategies and decision-making.

•Advanced Communication and Presentation Skills: Utilize advanced writing, presentation, and visual reporting skills to create compelling bid documents and presentations. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, and Teams, and able to produce high-quality communication materials via Office or 3rd party tools.

• Customer-centric focus.

•Willingness to work in a cross-functional and cross-culture team environment.

WHAT WE OFFER:  

SITA’s workplace is all about diversity, many different countries and cultures are represented in our workforce. We collaborate in our impressive offices, embracing a hybrid work format. As part of our global benefits, we offer:

🏡 Work Flexibility: Work from home up to 2 days/week (depending on your Team's needs).

You may wish to flex your arrival time at the office, to beat the rush hours or you may want to leave the office earlier to pick up your kids from school or to go to your favorite game: We support you in being open about your needs and routine with you manager.

🌿 Employee Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by SITA is a yearly free service for practical advice in any part of your life.

🚀 Professional Development: Unleash your potential with our training offers via Coursera!

🌎 Flex-location: Benefit for 30 working days from anywhere around the world each year!

🙌🏽 Competitive benefits according to the local market

SITA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values a diverse workforce. In support of our Employment Equity Program, women, aboriginal people, members of visible minorities, and/or persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply and self-identify in the application process.