Interim Bid Director (Europe) Location: Central London / Hybrid
Contract: 6 months initially, with potential extension
Salary: £79 – 94k (dependent on experience and track record)
The Opportunity
We are seeking an experienced Bid Director to lead a high-profile, large-scale government tender process in the education sector. This is a rare opportunity to shape a national programme of significant strategic importance, with the chance to extend beyond the initial 6-month contract should the bid be successful or their be additional opportunities outside of the immediate bid.
The role requires a confident, senior leader who can operate at pace, bring together stakeholders, and set a clear strategy for a competitive and complex bid. This is not a bid-writing position, a subject matter expert will provide technical input, but rather a senior strategic role focused on leadership, positioning, and driving engagement across government, partners, and the wider sector.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the end-to-end development of a high-value government bid (c.£20m+ per year), ensuring robust strategy, governance, and compliance.
Provide strong leadership to the bid team, fostering collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
Build and maintain senior-level relationships with government officials, sector bodies, and international stakeholders.
Shape the bid’s strategic positioning, ensuring it reflects national priorities and sector needs.
Oversee programme governance, risk management, and mobilisation planning.
Act as the visible lead and senior voice of the bid process, providing confidence to government and sector partners.
Candidate Profile
We are looking for an individual with:
A proven track record of leading and winning large-scale government contracts (£10m+).
Deep knowledge of government procurement processes and experience of strategic bidding with a focus internationally (especially Europe)
Strong leadership skills with the ability to rally teams, stakeholders, and partners around a shared vision.
Strong leadership and collaboration skills, particularly in matrix environments
Commercial acumen, with experience in contract negotiation, financial modelling, and performance management .
Excellent stakeholder engagement skills, able to operate with credibility at senior levels in government and the wider public/education sector.
The confidence to challenge assumptions, bring fresh ideas, and drive delivery at pace .
Why Apply?
Immediate impact: lead one of the most strategically significant bids in the education sector for the UK.
Short-term intensity with long-term potential: while initially a 6-month role, there is scope for extension and future opportunities.
High visibility: engage directly with senior government stakeholders and influence the shape of a national programme.
Application Process
To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter outlining how your experience aligns with this role. We will be running a rolling process, and therefore advocate that you apply as soon as possible as the advert deadline may be bought forward.
We are planning on holding the interviews on the 2nd and 8th October, so please do confirm availability for both of these days on your cover letter.
For further information, please contact andrew.stilwell@tile-hill.co.uk .
We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and we welcome applications from all backgrounds.