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UK Bid and Proposal Job Market Update
05 December 2011
Thinking of changing jobs in 2012? Whilst the contract market remains at its weakest level for many years, the permanent market continues to buck the trend with new opportunities arising on a daily basis.
Yet despite this healthy demand for bid and proposal management professionals, salaries within our industry have stagnated for more than 3 years now, and in many industries have reduced in real terms. Benefits packages have also been slimmed down with car allowances, pensions and home-working concessions being the most notable casualties. Contractors have been hardest hit with average day rates dropping by up to 30% in some industries, largely driven down by supply outstripping demand.
However, prospects for 2012 do look healthier, despite the wider economic outlook. The past 6 months have witnessed the first tangible signs that salary increases are finally back on the agenda. There are many contributing factors to this however, growing recognition and adoption of APMP Accreditation combined with wider acknowledgment of our ‘profession’ are playing a significant part. The industry has all but shaken off its stigma as a sales support function, with many organisations finally recognising bid and proposal management as a key strategic function within the business.
Companies are increasingly willing to stretch budgets for professionals that have a demonstrable track record within their specific industry / segment. Traditionally, bid and proposal managers could readily play the ‘transferable skills’ card, arguably succeeding in any industry. Whilst this may still be true in some cases, clients are becoming increasingly savvy with their requirements. We expect this trend to accelerate in 2012.
The role of Proposal Writer has witnessed this change more than most. Traditionally underpaid, with companies seemingly placing little value on the written submission, the Proposal Writer role has undergone a long overdue rise to fame in 2011. Many organisations now recognise that a professionally articulated proposal can make the difference between winning and losing. Several organisations we work with now pay higher salaries to their Proposal Writers than their Bid Managers. Hopefully this will encourage more people to pursue a Proposal Writing career. Historically, the best writers have fled to the world of freelance, having hit the glass (salary) ceiling early on in their careers.
To find out what you should / could be earning in 2012, please register and participate in the 2012 salary survey (http://www.bidsolutions.co.uk/content/2012-salary-survey.aspx). You will receive full and free access to the output as a contributor.
So, how can you best position yourself to take advantage of the opportunities in 2012? Amazingly, 80% of CVs we see STILL have spelling mistakes or grammatical errors. Far too many CVs also fail to make it easy for the reader to understand what you will do for them. Don’t waste the first half page of your CV with address details, educational achievements, and names and ages of your 2 pet dogs. Wow them with your bid and proposal achievements - let them know which bids you led and won, or were at least a key team member within.
There are several easy ways to keep informed of all our latest jobs.
1. The simplest way is to let us do the hard work for you. Login (www.bidsolutions.co.uk) and create a saved search and you will receive email alerts for all relevant job opportunities direct to your inbox. Keeping it simple and just saving the word ‘bid’ or ‘proposal’ will ensure you receive the largest selection of jobs.
2. You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn or subscribe to RSS feeds.
3. You can upload a new CV via our website or email the team (recruitment@bidsolutions.co.uk) with your updated CV, preferred next job, salary, and location.
Wishing you all the best for a successful 2012.