Writing a strong cover letter requires close attention to detail, from the tone of voice to avoiding those pesky spelling or grammar mistakes.
Overlooking similar small details can weaken your application.
Many candidates also struggle with how to address the letter, often opting for 'Dear Sir or Madam' when they can’t find the correct contact. This can make your cover letter feel impersonal.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to perfect these crucial elements, ensuring your cover letter is polished and professional without relying on clichés.
Cover letter examples for bid manager
Explore additional bid manager cover letter samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
By Experience
Senior Bid Manager
- Emphasise Relevant Experience: The cover letter effectively highlights Florence Knight's extensive experience in bid management, particularly in the defence industry, showcasing her capability to manage large-scale projects.
- Highlight Achievement Metrics: Florence includes specific achievements with quantifiable results, such as surpassing annual targets by 20% and improving bid success rates, which adds credibility and impact.
- Demonstrate Leadership and Strategic Skills: By detailing her role in leading multi-disciplinary teams and implementing bid governance protocols, Florence clearly conveys her leadership abilities and strategic planning skills.
- Mention Relevant Education and Courses: The cover letter incorporates her academic background and advanced courses in bid and proposal management, relevant to the senior bid manager role, to reinforce her qualifications.
Junior Bid Manager
- Emphasising Industry-Specific Certifications: Highlighting the APMP Certification in Advanced Bid Management showcases strategic bid leadership in the role of Associate Director and aligns with industry standards.
- Illustrating Quantifiable Achievements: Mentioning specific achievements, such as a 75% bid win rate improvement, effectively demonstrates success and adds credibility to professional claims.
- Showcasing Leadership and Team Management Skills: Emphasising leadership experiences, such as leading a team in securing high-value contracts and developing training programs, highlights the ability to manage and inspire teams in bid management.
- Integrating Storytelling in Professional Expertise: Using phrases like "strategic storytelling techniques" in increasing success rates underlines innovative approaches in proposal writing that engage and persuade clients.
Lead Bid Manager
- Explicitly highlighting the Master's in Business Administration as it complements the strategic and analytical needs of a Bid Manager role.
- Emphasising the 3 years of experience in bid strategy and development, which aligns with the role's core requirements.
- Mentioning the Top Bid Manager Award at Capita, demonstrating a proven track record of success in the field.
- Illustrating strong communication skills with the ability to engage stakeholders effectively, a critical component in bid management positions.
Assistant Bid Manager
- Achievements and Results: Highlighting metrics and specific results, such as a 30% increase in proposal acceptance rate, effectively demonstrates the candidate's impact and capability in bid management.
- Relevant Experience: Detailing roles like Bid Coordinator and their contributions, such as reducing bid preparation time by 20%, directly aligns with the skills required for an Assistant Bid Manager.
- Education and Courses: Mentioning relevant courses like the Advanced Bid Writing Workshop showcases the candidate's commitment to further developing industry-specific skills and knowledge.
- Passions Related to Role: Including sustainability practices as a passion aligns personal interests with professional goals, adding depth to the candidate's suitability for roles focused on strategic content and proposal development.
Principal Bid Manager
- Emphasising Relevant Experience: Highlighting over 12 years of bid and capture management experience is crucial in establishing credibility and expertise in the field.
- Showcasing Leadership Skills: Mentioning leadership roles and the ability to lead and manage cross-functional teams reinforces capability in leading complex projects and collaborations.
- Highlighting Achievements: Bringing attention to specific achievements, such as securing high-value contracts and optimising processes, demonstrates the ability to deliver tangible results.
- Incorporating Key Certifications and Courses: Mentioning certifications and courses related to bid management and pricing strategies enhances the cover letter by showcasing continuous professional development.
Associate Bid Manager
- Highlight Relevant Experience: The cover letter emphasises Joshua's extensive experience in bid management and sales leadership, making it highly relevant for positions that require a proven track record in these areas.
- Demonstrate Specific Achievements: The cover letter effectively quantifies achievements, such as the 25% reduction in proposal preparation time and a 15% increase in client satisfaction, showcasing the candidate's impact in previous roles.
- Include Key Skills: By mentioning specific skills such as negotiation, CRM systems, and client relationship strategy, the cover letter aligns Joshua's strengths with the demands of a sales excellence associate manager role.
- Mention Certifications and Awards: References to specialised courses such as the "Advanced Bid Management Workshop" and awards like the "Process Innovation Award" lend credibility to Joshua's expertise in bid management and process improvement.
Trainee Bid Manager
- Highlighting project management accomplishments, such as spearheading a successful £1M project, demonstrates strategic cost estimation and successful collaboration which are critical for a Bid Manager role.
- Emphasising skills in Microsoft Excel and technical drawing analysis showcases technical proficiency needed in preparing detailed bids and cost analyses.
- Mentioning achievements like a 120% revenue growth in targeted sectors positions the candidate as someone who not only manages bids but also drives business growth.
- Listing advanced training such as the "Advanced Bid Management Strategies" course highlights continued professional development and expertise in specialised areas relevant to procurement and supply.
By Role
Bid Manager in Construction
- Highlight the candidate's extensive experience in bid management and the construction sector, showcasing over 8 years of relevant expertise and significant achievements such as securing £25M in new contracts within a year.
- Emphasise the importance of strategic skills, such as bid management, strategic planning, and negotiation, which are crucial in the role of Bid Manager, with specific examples of increasing successful tenders by 30% in two years.
- Mention advanced certifications relevant to the role, such as the Advanced Bid Management Certification, which demonstrates a commitment to professional growth and innovation in bid strategies.
- Incorporate the candidate's proficiency in English and French, which may enhance communication and negotiation capabilities, especially in international or multicultural contexts.
Bid Manager in IT Services
- Industry-Specific Experience: Emphasising previous roles such as Senior Proposal Manager and Proposal Development Lead in renowned companies like BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce Plc provides credibility and highlights familiarity with the unique demands of the industry.
- Certifications and Advanced Knowledge: Highlighting certifications like "Advanced Proposal Management" attests to specialised qualifications, enhancing the candidate's authority and expertise in Proposal Management.
- Proven Track Record: Including measurable achievements like improving win rates by 35% and contributing to a £5 million revenue increase showcases the candidate's tangible impact and effectiveness in previous roles.
- Technical and Strategic Skills: Outlining skills in Artificial Intelligence and Cloud Native technologies demonstrates the ability to leverage cutting-edge solutions in proposal development, an attractive quality for tech-forward companies.
Bid Manager in Telecoms
- Highlighting Domain-Specific Expertise: Freddie's extensive experience in rail systems and rolling stock maintenance is crucial for establishing credibility in the industry, particularly for a Bid and Execution Project Manager role.
- Project Management Skills and Certifications: Emphasising the PMP Certification and experience in implementing project management methodologies can assure potential employers of Freddie's capability to deliver projects efficiently and improve milestones delivery significantly.
- Quantifiable Achievements: Specifying metrics such as a 30% increase in project efficiency and cost savings of £200,000 annually provides concrete evidence of Freddie’s past performance and impact, which can be highly persuasive for securing the role.
- Leadership and Cross-Functional Collaboration: Freddie's experience in leading cross-departmental teams to improve proposal processes and increase bid success rates by 25% demonstrates valuable leadership and collaborative skills essential for a project manager.
Bid Manager in Healthcare
- Highlighting strong leadership skills: Freya Richardson's cover letter effectively emphasises her leadership roles in driving successful bids, such as leading cross-functional teams and enhancing process efficiency by 25%.
- Focus on quantifiable achievements: The cover letter effectively showcases specific accomplishments, such as a 40% increase in bid success rate and securing contracts over £30 million, which underscores her impact and value in her role.
- Industry-specific expertise: Freya's cover letter outlines her extensive experience in healthcare bids, boosting her credibility and relevance for roles in this sector.
- Educational credentials and ongoing learning: Mentioning her MBA from the University of Oxford and continuous professional development courses strengthens her qualifications and commitment to her field.
Bid Manager in Energy Sector
- Highlight Relevant Skills and Experience: This cover letter effectively emphasises key skills such as Bid Management, Proposal Writing, Project Management, and Stakeholder Engagement, which are crucial for a Bid Manager role. It links these skills to tangible achievements, such as a 35% increase in bid success rate, making the candidate's qualifications clear and impactful.
- Showcase Industry-Specific Achievements: By detailing a track record of success in the real estate sector and a Regional Award for Best Proposal, the author demonstrates industry expertise and distinguishes themselves from general proposal managers, aligning their experience with the specific needs of the industry.
- Incorporate Professional Development and Certifications: Mentioning the APMP Foundation Certification and Advanced MS PowerPoint Design highlights commitment to professional development and proficiency in essential tools and methodologies, reinforcing the candidate's capability and readiness to excel in a high-stakes bid management environment.
- Demonstrate Strategic and Analytical Thinking: The mention of a revamped proposal strategy and market trend analysis underlines the applicant's ability to apply strategic insights and analytical thinking to align proposals with client needs and market demands, an essential aspect of a Bid Manager role.
Bid Manager in Manufacturing
- Succinct Summary: The cover letter begins with a concise summary outlining over 4 years of relevant experience and key achievements like increasing bid success rate by 25%, appealing to potential employers by presenting a clear value proposition.
- Highlighting Certifications: The mention of certifications such as the Certified Proposal Management Professional and Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) Practitioner underscores technical proficiency and dedication to continual learning, which are pertinent for roles in proposal management.
- Quantifiable Achievements: Specific progress metrics, like improving bid success rates and reducing proposal development time, provide tangible proof of efficacy and contributions to the business, positioning the candidate as results-oriented.
- Cross-Functional Team Experience: The emphasis on managing cross-functional teams and stakeholder collaboration highlights essential skills for a Bid & Proposal Manager, showcasing the candidate's capability to lead and coordinate across different business areas.
Bid Manager in Retail
- Emphasise relevant experience: Highlight over 8 years of experience in construction bid management and demonstrate a proven track record in leading complex bids and securing high-value contracts.
- Highlight key achievements: Noteworthy achievements, such as winning a £50m healthcare infrastructure project, enhance credibility and demonstrate capability in delivering successful outcomes.
- Showcase strategic skills: Skills in risk mitigation, value engineering, and strategic bid planning, alongside technical writing and project coordination, are crucial for the role of a Bid Manager.
- Certifications and courses: Advanced courses, like those from the Chartered Institute of Building, signify specialised expertise in bid management techniques and risk management within construction.
Bid Manager in Transport
- Prioritise specific achievements such as enhancing client acquisition by 20% and securing contracts over £5 million annually that directly align with the goals of a Business Development Manager in the construction sector.
- Emphasise technical sales skills and the implementation of CRM systems to show technical proficiency relevant for managing client relationships and sales processes effectively.
- Indicate leadership capabilities by highlighting experience in managing teams and improving efficiencies, demonstrated by leading a team to enhance proposal accuracy and driving a 30% increase in customer satisfaction.
- Incorporate industry-specific passions, like modular construction trends, to demonstrate enthusiasm and commitment to staying updated within the sector, which can be appealing to potential employers.
Bid Manager in Banking
- Emphasise Relevant Experience: The cover letter highlights over 7 years of experience in business development, which is crucial for a role focused on sales and strategy in the banking and finance sector.
- Highlight Key Achievements: Specific achievements, such as driving a 40% market share growth and winning the "Top Sales Performer 2022" award, provide concrete evidence of the candidate’s success and impact in previous roles.
- Showcase Certifications and Skills: Mentioning the Salesforce CRM Mastery Certification underscores the applicant’s expertise in a tool essential for business development roles, aligning with the skill requirements of the position.
- Leverage Educational Background: The candidate's MBA in Finance from a reputable institution like the University of Manchester complements the role, showcasing an advanced understanding of financial services and strategic planning.
Bid Manager in Aerospace
- Highlight achievements in securing significant contracts and improving proposal success rates. Daisy's track record in securing contracts worth up to £150 million is a strong credential for a role in bid management.
- Emphasise skills in strategic planning, cross-departmental collaboration, and team leadership, as these are crucial in orchestrating successful bids and proposals.
- Include specific examples of process improvements or efficiencies, such as reducing proposal preparation times, to demonstrate the ability to enhance team productivity and performance.
- Mention relevant education and courses, like the MBA and Advanced Bid Writing Skills, which align with the role's requirements for strong analytical and writing competencies.
Bid Manager in Defence
- Emphasising the Shipley Proposal Development Certification is crucial for a Bids and Proposals Manager as it demonstrates enhanced proficiency in essential business winning processes.
- Highlighting the ability to implement process efficiencies that reduce proposal generation time by 15% showcases strong management and organisational skills, critical for optimising resource allocation.
- Mentioning experience in leading teams to achieve a significant 25% acceptance rate for high-value proposals underscores successful leadership and strategic planning abilities in managing complex projects.
- The specific mention of an Advanced Proposal Writing course reflects an ongoing commitment to skill enhancement in strategic proposal writing, reinforcing credibility in delivering quality responses aligned with client requirements.
Bid Manager in Agriculture
- Highlighting Relevant Experience: The cover letter effectively emphasises Theodore's extensive experience in project and bid management roles across reputable organisations like BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce PLC, and Thales Group, showcasing a solid foundation for handling complex projects.
- Certifications and Education: Mention of advanced courses such as "Advanced Bid Management" and the "Project Risk Management Professional" certification highlights Theodore's commitment to furthering skills essential for his role, reinforcing his capability in specialised areas.
- Achievements and Impact: Demonstrated success through quantified achievements such as reducing bid proposal time by 25% and improving team efficiency by 30%, providing tangible evidence of Theodore's ability to drive improvements and achieve results.
- Strategic Skill Set: Skills like Stakeholder Engagement, Resource Allocation, and Life Cycle Management are crucial in project management, demonstrating Theodore’s capacity to handle multifaceted project environments efficiently.
Bid Manager in Pharmaceuticals
- Specific Key Achievements: The cover letter highlights a 30% increase in bid success and the development of highly competitive cost models, showcasing tangible contributions that align with the expectations of a bid manager role.
- Relevant Skills and Tools: Emphasis on proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Word and Excel, underscores the applicant’s suitability for preparing and managing detailed bid documents and financial data.
- Advanced Certifications and Courses: Certificates like Advanced Bid Management and specialised Excel training not only reinforce expertise but demonstrate a commitment to further skill development that is critical in bid management.
- Industry-Specific Experience: The experience at companies like Siemens Energy and Schneider Electric, coupled with an interest in Renewable Energy, aligns the applicant's background with the focus of the energy industries, making them a strong candidate for energy-related bids.
Bid Manager cover letter example
Sophia Brooks
Sheffield, UK
+44 1234 567890
help@enhancv.com
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to express my keen interest in the Bid Manager position. Your company's commitment to delivering innovative and sustainable construction solutions is well-known, and its dedication to community transformation resonates with my own values and experiences as a seasoned bid manager.
During my tenure at Turner & Townsend, I led a team of Bid Coordinators to improve our bid success rate by 18% within a year. This success was largely due to my strategic implementation of best practices in bid management and the integration of new market research techniques that enhanced our understanding of client drivers by 25%. This transformation not only streamlined our internal processes but also strengthened our proposal offerings, aligning them closely with client expectations and project deliverables.
I would welcome the opportunity to further discuss how my background, skills, and passions align with the goals of your team. Please feel free to contact me to arrange a convenient time for an interview. Thank you for considering my application.
Sincerely,
Sophia Brooks, Bid Manager
What makes this cover letter stand out:
- Emphasize Relevant Accomplishments: Highlight significant achievements in previous roles, such as improving bid success rates, that demonstrate your expertise and directly relate to the Bid Manager position.
- Focus on Industry-Specific Skills: Discuss strategic implementation and market research skills, as these are crucial for understanding client needs and crafting competitive bids in the construction industry.
- Align Your Values with Company Goals: Express your alignment with the company's mission, such as sustainability and community impact, to establish a personal connection and show you're a fit for their corporate culture.
- Request for Further Engagement: Conclude with an invitation to discuss your application in more detail, which encourages the hiring manager to take the next step and keeps the communication channel open.
Importance of cover letters in the United Kingdom
Cover letters are a vital part of professional job applications, helping shape recruiters' first impression of your profile.
Here’s why they’re important:
- Indicates your genuine interest: A well-researched cover letter reflects your knowledge of the company and role.
- Professionalism from the outset: Employers expect your cover letter to be structured, polite, and formal. If you wish to add a more personalised touch, be sure to address your recipient directly.
- Capture the recruiters' attention: For most roles, candidates tend to have rather similar experience, which is why you should use your cover letter to explain what is unique about your profile.
What UK employers expect from a cover letter
Your UK employers will appreciate your application if you've taken the effort to tailor your cover letter to their job requirements.
Here’s how to ensure yours ticks all the right boxes:
- Research the company thoroughly: It's not enough to have only read the job advert. Look into the company's history, products, services, and recent achievements to demonstrate your genuine interest and knowledge.
- Connect with the company’s values: Every company has core principles that shape its culture and operations. Identify these values and use your cover letter to show how they align with your professional conduct and ethics.
- Emphasise your relevant skills: Highlight specific skills that match the job description and are most in demand. Use examples from your previous experience to support your claims and set yourself apart from other candidates.
How to format a bid manager cover letter
Keep in mind that your cover letter is intended for the recruiters' eyes only, not for the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) software that aligns your job application with role requirements. That's why it's essential to concentrate on the quality of the content and presentation to make a memorable first impression.
Don’t forget to include:
- Your address and contact details
- The employer’s name and address
- Date
- Greeting
- Introductory paragraph
- Body paragraphs
- Closing paragraph
- Sign-off and signature
Now for some formatting tips and tricks: choose modern fonts such as Rubik, Volkhov, or Raleway instead of traditional ones like Arial. Keep your cover letter single-spaced with margins of around 1-inch (2.5 cm). To maintain a professional and consistent look, ensure that both your CV and cover letter use the same font style.
Lastly, always send your cover letter as a PDF to preserve its formatting and prevent any edits once it's sent, ensuring your design and layout remain intact for the recruiters.
How to write your bid manager cover letter salutation
It's never advisable to begin your cover letter with 'Dear Sir/Madam', as it sounds comes across as impersonal.
Take the time to find out who is hiring for the role and address them directly in your cover letter greeting (e.g., 'Dear Mrs Chanceworth', 'Dear Harrod').
If you're uncertain where to find the hiring manager’s name, check the company website, look on LinkedIn, or send a courteous email requesting this information. Don't hesitate to ring reception either—they are unlikely to refuse to assist.
How to write your bid manager cover letter intro
It's never a bad time to show enthusiasm about the role, company, or team in your cover letter introduction.
Begin by sharing one or two aspects that genuinely excite you about the position—whether it's the company culture, specific responsibilities, or the team's past achievements.
Your enthusiasm demonstrates that you'll bring a strong work ethic, are eager to contribute, and are motivated to succeed.
Cover Letter Intro
Having explored the significant contributions your company makes towards sustainable development within the construction sector, I am keen to bring my ten years of experience in orchestrating successful bids to your team, aligning with your vision of innovation and integrity.
RIGHT
How to write your bid manager cover letter body
Your cover letter body is the most spacious and vital part of this document—it highlights your true value and the impact you can bring as a candidate.
Remember, your cover letter serves a different purpose to your CV. Here, you need to show your skills in context by telling the story of one significant achievement, hinting at how you’ll help your future employer achieve their goals.
So, when writing your cover letter body:
- Use concrete achievements to demonstrate your personality and impact.
- Support your achievements with quantifiable data and metrics.
- Tell the story of a successful project you’ve worked on and explain how you contributed to the outcome.
- Highlight both hard and soft skills to make your story more engaging.
- Focus on skills that are most relevant to the role and align with the company’s needs.
Cover Letter Body
During my tenure as Bid Manager at XYZ Corporation, I successfully orchestrated the submission of a complex multi-million-pound tender for a groundbreaking infrastructure project. Leveraging my strategic planning and analytical skills, I led a cross-functional team to meticulously craft a proposal that met stringent client requirements and highlighted our unique value proposition. My approach was rooted in a thorough market analysis, which identified key competitive advantages that we were able to leverage effectively. This resulted in the submission being awarded the contract, ultimately increasing our company's revenue by 15% that fiscal year. This achievement underscores my ability to deliver high-value projects with precision and impactful results, aligning perfectly with your organisation's goal for expanding its project portfolio.
RIGHT
How to write a closing paragraph
Now we’ve reached the closing paragraph of your cover letter. You might be tempted to end with a simple Yours sincerely, but don’t!
Instead, finish with a promise to enhance the company’s performance metrics (backed by your hard and soft skills), to develop as a professional, or something else that holds significance for the organisation. Whatever you choose, ensure to stand behind your words and be remain sincere.
Don’t forget to include a call to action, encouraging recruiters to suggest the best time to follow up for an interview or update.
Cover Letter Closing
I am eager to bring my extensive experience in bid management to your esteemed organisation, driving strategic growth and success. I am confident that my skills in managing high-stakes bids align perfectly with the requirements of this role. I welcome the opportunity to further discuss how I can contribute to your team and would be thrilled to schedule an interview at your earliest convenience. Thank you very much for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of contributing to your esteemed company.
RIGHT
Conclusion
Crafting an engaging cover letter can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your job application. Always personalise your letter by addressing the hiring manager directly and linking your qualifications to the role's requirements.
Highlight relevant achievements that set you apart and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the company. Maintain a professional format that complements your CV, creating a cohesive and polished application.
