Head of Bid Management

IBS Software is a fast-growing global software company with 5,000 employees and a 27-year track record of innovation for the world’s leading travel brands. Certified as a Great Place to Work®, IBS Software has a culture built on the values of precision, commitment, passion, integrity and respect for the individual. Working at IBS Software is an opportunity to join an exciting company with a great team culture and a successful track record. We are highly selective, seeking individuals with demonstrated excellence and track records of top achievement. We look for smart people who are passionate about technology, who care deeply about their careers, and who want to work hard and have fun.

IBS is looking for an exceptional self-starter who thrives in an entrepreneurial, collaborative, results-oriented environment and is motivated to be a part of a dynamic, fast-growing company. The Head of Bid Management will lead the Bid Management Team at IBS Software. This individual will spearhead the creation of winning proposals across our diverse product portfolio, including iFly, iCargo, iFlight, iLogistics, iStay, and iRetail. The role requires a visionary leader who can align proposal strategies with business objectives, manage a high-performance team, and deliver best in class proposals that enhance IBS Software’s competitive edge in the travel technology domain.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

1. Define and execute a comprehensive proposal management strategy that aligns with the company’s business goals and revenue objectives.
2. Collaborate with sales, marketing, product management, and legal teams to develop compelling, client-centric proposals that highlight IBS Software’s value proposition.
3. Standardize processes and introduce best practices for the entire proposal lifecycle, leveraging RFP automation tools such as Loopio.

Proposal Development & Operational Excellence

1. Oversee the end-to-end proposal process, from RFP/RFI analysis, content creation, pricing strategy, compliance checks, to on-time submissions.
2. Edit proposal content for readability, consistency, clarity, and brand compliance, using standard tools and processes.
3. Ensure the end-to-end review of proposal responses before submission, including conducting personal reviews, managing peer reviews, and facilitating overall quality control.
4. Work in conjunction with key stakeholders to qualify potential opportunities, challenging the viability of pursuits as necessary.
5. Establish and maintain a centralized knowledge base of reusable proposal assets, such as templates, boilerplates, and case studies.
6. Utilize metrics and analytics to measure proposal success rates, identify gaps, and refine processes for continuous improvement.
7. Conduct post-bid reviews, update the RFP content library and integrating lessons learned into future proposals.

Team Management

1. Build, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team of proposal writers, analysts, and bid coordinators.
2. Arrange training sessions internally to raise awareness of the team’s capabilities and ensure continuous professional development.
3. Conduct regular quality reviews to maintain consistency, accuracy, and adherence to brand guidelines.
4. Cultivate a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring the team adopts innovative tools and methodologies.

Stakeholder Engagement

1. Act as the primary interface for senior leadership and key stakeholders during high-value bids, providing status updates and strategic insights.
2. Build trusted relationships with internal colleagues to facilitate cross-functional collaboration.
3. Present proposal strategies, competitive differentiators, and recommendations for major pursuits to leadership teams.

Skills and Experience:

Education & Experience

1. 8+ years of experience in Proposal/Bid Management or Sales Operations, ideally in the SaaS travel technology domain.
2. Demonstrated success in managing large, complex, multi-million-dollar bids and leading high-performing teams.
3. Technical experience in travel technology domain (desirable but not mandatory).
4. Proven track record of working on new business bids and development activities.
5. Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field.

Skills & Expertise

1. Exceptional project management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple deadlines and stakeholder expectations.
2. Strong organizational skills, with the flexibility to adapt to changing time pressures.
3. Proficiency in RFP automation tools such as Loopio, Responsive.io, or equivalent platforms.
4. Creative thinker with the ability to develop innovative solutions to overcome challenges.
5. Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, capable of articulating complex solutions in a clear and persuasive manner.
6. High attention to detail and results-driven mindset, with the ability to work under pressure.
7. Confidence to challenge peers and stakeholders while fostering a collaborative environment.

At IBS you can look forward to:

• Working with the latest next generation technologies and architected platforms
• Operating with the brightest minds in the industry
• Gaining additional in-depth domain knowledge
• Receiving global exposure
• Benefiting from continuous learning programs
• Performance-based career growth
• Joining an excellent work culture
• Competitive compensation, company paid employee benefits, vacation, sick and personal leave

IBS is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability and protected veterans’ status or any other characteristic protected by law. IBS as an equal opportunity employer bases its hiring decisions on the business need and the best-qualified candidates available, and does not discriminate in its employment decisions based on any protected category. Candidates offered employment may be subject to a criminal record and other background checks as permitted or required by company policy or applicable law.