Bid writers prepare documents used to request contracts to provide services or apply for funding.


Typical Salary

£20,000 – £55,000

per year

Working Hours

37–39

hours per week

Career Area

Business sales executives

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Day-to-day tasks

As a bid writer you'll:

  • find out about possible business opportunities
  • work with clients and planning teams
  • gather evidence to complete Pre Qualification Questionnaires (PQQ)
  • collect data for bids, like financial records
  • check the rules the bid must follow
  • present technical information in easy to understand ways
  • keep accurate records and save material to a 'bid library' for future use
  • design, write, edit and submit bid documents

Skills needed

  • knowledge of English language
  • excellent written communication skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
  • the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
  • administration skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

How to get into this role

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • specialist courses run by professional bodies

Career progression

You could become a team leader, senior bid writer or bids and proposals manager.

You could also transfer your skills to other kinds of technical writing or contract management.