Bid Manager CV example

You’re used to dissecting requirements, highlighting strengths, and tailoring your message to the reader – and your CV should be no different. It needs to reflect your ability to lead complex proposals and communicate value clearly.

Over the next sections, you’ll learn about writing a CV for maximum impact, and which makes sure your skills stand out from the stack of applicants – just like your best bids do.

A messy, unclear CV doesn’t just hurt your chances – it signals that you wouldn’t submit a clean tender either. Think of your CV layout the same way you think about bid documentation: it should have flow and zero fluff. Recruiters should be able to scan it quickly and understand exactly why you’re a strong hire.

Here’s the structure to follow:

• Name and contact details – Place your name and contact information prominently at the top of your CV for quick access. Adding a photo is up to you.
• Profile – Open with a compelling overview of your skills, experience, and career goals.
• Core skills – List your key abilities in this section, focusing on those that will be most relevant to the job.
• Work experience – Provide a detailed breakdown of your work history, starting with the most recent job first.
• Education – List your qualifications, including degrees and relevant certifications, in reverse chronological order.
• Additional info – Use this optional space for relevant hobbies or personal pursuits that enhance your application.
  

To make the right impression, divide your CV with bold, clear section headings and use bullet points in each section to keep things punchy. Stick to a clean, professional font, and maintain enough white space to keep it readable. Limit your CV length to two pages max – long enough to demonstrate value, short enough to keep attention. A competent CV format isn’t just easier to read; it’s a reflection of how you approach your work.

Your CV profile is your executive summary – it’s the first section recruiters read, and your opportunity to position yourself as the ideal candidate. Use it to communicate your experience with bid strategy and cross-functional coordination.

Don’t just explain what you’ve done – show how you’ve contributed to successful outcomes. The ultimate aim here is to demonstrate your value and convince recruiters to read the rest of your CV.

Here’s what to include:

• Where you worked – Note the industries or sectors you’ve written bids for, such as construction, IT, defence, or facilities management.
• Your top qualifications – Mention degrees, proposal management certifications, or APMP membership if relevant.
• Essential skills – Focus on your bid-specific capabilities: team coordination, stakeholder engagement, document management, or pricing strategy.
• Stakeholders supported – Explain who you’ve worked with – from commercial teams to technical SMEs and C-suite execs.
• Value delivered – Make it clear how your work improved win rates, shortened submission times, or contributed to strategic growth.
  

A good bid manager knows how to align their skills with each submission – and the same applies to your CV. The CV skills section is where you highlight the job-specific strengths that recruiters want to see, especially those mentioned in the job advert.

This isn’t the place for vague soft skills. Focus on clear, job-relevant strengths that reflect your real capability. Each skill should prove your ability to contribute to winning submissions.

Your experience section should feel like a proven track record – not just a list of responsibilities. Show how you’ve contributed to successful bids, increased win rates, built processes, and coordinated people. The goal isn’t to list everything you’ve ever done – it’s to show that you consistently deliver results. List each work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent. 

Open with a short paragraph describing the company, your title, and your role in the bid process. Then use bullet points to break down key tasks and accomplishments – from writing executive summaries to managing deadlines and capturing lessons learned.

• Outline – Describe the company or sector you worked in and how you contributed to the bidding function overall. Include team size, contract types, and reporting lines where relevant.
• Responsibilities – Use action words like “coordinated” and “developed.” For example: “coordinated multi-disciplinary teams to deliver complex bids across the public sector” or “developed tailored content using bid libraries and SME input.”
• Achievements – Show tangible value. Did you improve win rates? Deliver early submissions? Reduce costs in the bid process? Use real numbers wherever possible.

You don’t need a specific degree to be a great bid manager, but qualifications still help demonstrate credibility. Use this section to list your education background as well as any training related to writing or project management.

Start with your most recent qualification and work backwards. This might include a degree in business, English, or communications, plus short courses or certifications that support your bid management skills – especially anything related to APMP, project planning, or persuasive writing.