Head of Bid and Business Development

Head of Bid & Business Development - M&E (Mechanical & Electrical) Location

Primarily Ireland (North & South), with occasional projects and travel across Great Britain (GB)

Hybrid: office + field / client sites

Reports to

Managing Director

Role Purpose / Summary

A leading M&E contractor is seeking a high-calibre, strategic, and hands-on Head of Bid & Business Development to drive new contract wins across a variety of sectors including Education, Healthcare and Commercial.

The successful candidate will take ownership of the bid pipeline, develop and maintain key client relationships with main contractors, consultants, developers and architects, and lead commercial strategy for the Irish market (with selective activity in GB).

You'll bring a strong technical and commercial foundation (likely from an Estimating or Quantity Surveying background), a deep network within the built environment, and the ability to influence internally and externally to secure high-value M&E projects.

Key Responsibilities Business Development & Market Strategy

• Develop and manage a robust pipeline of bid opportunities (public and private sector) aligned to company growth plans
• Identify and pursue new clients, frameworks, and project opportunities across Ireland and selected GB regions
• Build and maintain strong relationships with contractors, developers, architects, consultants, and key stakeholders
• Represent the business at industry events, conferences, and professional forums
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and regulatory developments to inform commercial strategy
• Lead end-to-end bid and tender processes, including bid/no bid decisions, bid planning, win strategies, and submission quality
• Coordinate input from estimating, engineering, and commercial teams to ensure compliant and competitive tenders
• Oversee all bid documentation - PQQs, technical proposals, cost breakdowns, and risk assessments
• Ensure lessons learned and feedback are captured and integrated into future submissions
• Act as senior liaison between business development and estimating / commercial functions
• Review cost models, assumptions, contingencies, and value engineering opportunities
• Support commercial negotiations, contract clarifications, and client presentations
• Drive alignment between bid strategy, pricing, and delivery capability

Leadership & Reporting

• Build, mentor, and lead an established bids and business development team
• Set and monitor KPIs for pipeline value, win rates, and margin performance
• Report progress, pipeline metrics, and insights to the board
• Ensure compliance with governance, bid processes, and quality standards
• Join the Senior Management Team and contribute to strategic planning for the business

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• Degree or equivalent in Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or Construction Management
• 7+ years' experience in estimating, bid management, or commercial roles within the M&E or building services sector
• Proven record of winning contracts in education, healthcare, student accommodation, or commercial environments
• Strong network across main contractors, developers, and architects operating in Ireland (North & South); GB exposure advantageous
• Excellent commercial acumen, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to manage multiple bids simultaneously while maintaining quality and compliance
• Flexible to travel across Ireland and Great Britain as required
• Experience with public sector or framework tenders
• Knowledge of BIM, sustainability standards, or digital construction workflows
• Exposure to multi-jurisdictional bidding (NI/ROI/GB)
• Chartered or professional membership (RICS, CIBSE, CIArb, etc.)