How to hire a bid manager

How to hire a bid manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step bid manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a bid manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new bid manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a bid manager do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the bid manager you need to hire. Certain bid manager roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A bid manager's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, bid managers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents bid manager salaries for various positions.

   Type of Bid Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Bid Manager		$33-68
   Manager, Project Management	The role of a project management manager involves the planning, execution, monitoring, control, and closure of projects. Project managers oversee the scope of the entire project, the team, success or failure, and its resources... Show more	$35-69
   Consultant/Project Manager	Consultants/project managers act as planners, leaders, and advisors in business enterprises. These professionals facilitate meetings and establish positive relationships with vendors, management, and clients... Show more	$35-65

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Project Management
   • Value Proposition
   • Pursuit
   • RFP
   • Business Development
   • Subject Matter Experts
   • Bid Strategy
   • RFQ
   • RFx
   • SharePoint
   • Proposal Process
   • Apmp
   • Bid Proposals
   • Bid Preparation

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Create and manage a full project schedule from RFP release to proposal submission.
   • Lead global, cross-functional customer account management and supply chain team to deliver OEM products.
   • Manage and maintain SharePoint site for proposal content and business collateral.
   • Provide advanced functionality for healthcare facilities including registration, billing, denial management, and auditing for manage care and Medicare.
   • Complete, review RFQ documents and chair RFQ review meetings.
   • Train BDC personnel and maintain the software for the call center.

   More bid manager duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your bid manager job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A bid manager salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a bid manager in Arkansas may be lower than in California, and an entry-level bid manager usually earns less than a senior-level bid manager. Additionally, a bid manager with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average bid manager salary

   $100,225yearly

   $48.19 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level bid manager salary

   $70,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

   Average bid manager salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$130,314	$63
   2	New York	$115,613	$56
   3	Ohio	$113,847	$55
   4	Massachusetts	$105,922	$51
   5	Virginia	$104,313	$50
   6	Pennsylvania	$102,531	$49
   7	Texas	$101,238	$49
   8	North Carolina	$101,063	$49
   9	Connecticut	$99,032	$48
   10	Arizona	$97,985	$47
   11	Washington	$95,531	$46
   12	Colorado	$93,688	$45
   13	Maryland	$93,661	$45
   14	South Dakota	$90,257	$43
   15	Indiana	$89,518	$43
   16	Missouri	$86,409	$42
   17	Florida	$83,219	$40
   18	Alabama	$82,658	$40
   19	Illinois	$82,031	$39
   20	Georgia	$76,963	$37

   Average bid manager salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Apple	$133,183	$64.03	20
   2	Accenture	$111,993	$53.84	113
   3	Gartner	$105,445	$50.69	4
   4	DXC Technology	$104,537	$50.26	9
   5	Sysco	$103,519	$49.77	1
   6	Eaton	$102,973	$49.51	62
   7	Infosys Public Service	$102,586	$49.32	7
   8	T-Mobile	$102,323	$49.19	4
   9	Thales	$99,711	$47.94
   10	Fidelity National Information Solutions	$98,468	$47.34
   11	Alstom	$98,240	$47.23	11
   12	Zayo Group	$96,602	$46.44	1
   13	Telefónica Ecuador	$96,393	$46.34
   14	Vestas Blades America	$94,699	$45.53
   15	ADB SAFEGATE	$93,404	$44.91
   16	ABB	$93,075	$44.75	16
   17	Cognizant	$90,747	$43.63	24
   18	Hitachi U.S.A.	$80,754	$38.82	25
   19	Spire	$79,528	$38.23
   20	System One	$76,660	$36.86	38

4. Writing a bid manager job description

   A bid manager job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a bid manager job description:

   Bid manager job description example

   ST Engineering iDirect is a global leader in satellite communications (satcom) providing technology and solutions that enable its customers to expand their business, differentiate their services and optimize their satcom networks. Our business provides innovation focused on solving satellite's most critical economic and technology challenges, and expands a shared commitment to shaping the future of how the world connects. With your talent and energy paired with our vision and technical leadership, the most fulfilling work of your career is waiting for you at ST Engineering iDirect…the sky is truly the limit!
   
   We are seeking an innovative, creative Bid Manager who is ready for the challenges, responsibilities, and rewards that come with working in a high-energy, fast-paced environment. ST Engineering iDirect is dedicated to providing next generation solutions for broadband IP networking via satellite networks. As the leading innovators in this new space, our diverse and talented team of Internet, satellite and telecommunications professionals continue to break new ground and create significant opportunities for the network operators, service provider's resellers, and the corporate networking professionals.
   Responsibilities:
   Orchestrate and lead the creation of quality proposals addressing large scale complex opportunities with ST Engineering iDirect's product and solution offerings
   Manage the entire bid process for selected unsolicited proposals, bids and tenders. Form and lead transversal bid teams encompassing a multitude of roles and profiles contributing to the bid, such as pre-sales, product management, global account management, project management, etc.
   Control scope, risk, budget, timelines and quality of the proposal. Ensure internal alignment on the offered solutions, prices and T&C's
   Coordinate with ST Engineering iDirect's partners, suppliers and subcontractors in preparing joint proposals
   Advise and guide ST Engineering iDirect's sales and account managers to achieve the highest win rates on addressed opportunities
   Write bespoke client facing proposals and bids, translating opportunity briefs and draft project plans into fully developed propositions, while seeking for input from relevant colleagues and ensuring everyone is aware of the level of contribution expected of them and deadlines.
   Document lessons learned and original work created. Strive for continual improvement.
   Connect dots. Actively group opportunities and bids to achieve strategic business goals and instill organizational and partner development
   Identify and implement bid strategy in close cooperation with sales management and ST Engineering iDirect's senior management
   Help envisaging and introducing new capabilities and technical solutions in the market
   Fluently communicate market value and ROI of ST Engineering iDirect's products and solutions
   Prepare content for, and attend, bid / proposal client meetings and interviews
   Qualifications:
   Have at least 3 years of relevant experience in Bid Management, Sales, Pre-Sales and/or project management for medium / large accounts
   Can demonstrate practical experience in (offering) telecommunication solution in any of the following markets: B2C, B2B or Multi-Service VSAT systems, Broadcast Distribution, Contribution and Exchange networks, Mobility, Oil & gas, Cellular Backhauling and Trunking, Government & Defence
   Are an effective communicator and coordinator
   Can inspire collaboration in a matrix organization
   Have an eye for detail and strong technical writing skills.
   Can show for at least basic negotiation and contracting skills
   Are fluent in English, other languages are considered an asset.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find bid managers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your bid manager job on Zippia to find and recruit bid manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with bid manager candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new bid manager

   Once you've decided on a perfect bid manager candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new bid manager. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a bid manager?