The Role
Manages knowledge exchange funding opportunities and application pipelines, identifies relevant public and private funding sources, writes and reviews proposals, ensures compliance with funder guidance, coordinates with academics and university units, and submits applications on schedule. The role supports university knowledge exchange objectives, strategic plans, and performance targets while building relationships with internal and external partners.
Summary Generated by Built In
We are currently seeking a Bid Writing Manager who will work proactively with Schools, Centres and Units delivering Knowledge Exchange (KE) activity, to identify funding sources for KE, skills, CPD and other projects.
You will manage a pipeline of funding applications, prepare and review knowledge exchange funding proposals, provide feedback on proposal content in line with funder guidance, and submit applications within the required timescales.
You will manage a pipeline of funding applications, prepare and review knowledge exchange funding proposals, provide feedback on proposal content in line with funder guidance, and submit applications within the required timescales.
About the Role
As Bid Writing Manager, you will continually survey relevant KE funding portals (e.g. Combined Mayoral Authorities, Office for Students, the Department for Education, UKRI, NESTA, Arts Council, Innovate UK etc.) in order to identify opportunities for KE funding including tendering for public and private contracts.
You will liaise closely with School KE leads, individual academics, other Centres and Units delivering KE activity, to manage pipelines of funding applications throughout the academic year that align with university KE objectives, HEIF 5-year plan and KE KPIs.
About You
- Qualified to degree level or commensurate professional qualification.
- Good working knowledge of key funders’ priorities in the KE, innovation, skills, regeneration, and creative and cultural sectors
- Demonstrable experience of significant proposal writing within innovation, vocational or professional contexts.
- Evidence of successful collaborative working with internal and external partners.
- Ability to work under pressure, prioritising and organising own workload effectively to meet deadlines and achieve high standards of performance
- A good understanding of UK Higher Education
For further information on the essential and desirable skills we’re looking for, please refer to the attached Job Description.
Additional Information
Salary Grade 7 - Starting from £39,560 rising to £44,352 per annum
The salary range shows the potential maximum pay progression in addition to any annual inflationary increase to your pay. Please note that our default position is to appoint into the lower end of the range, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Interviews expected w/c 23rd November 2026
Staff Benefits
We offer a wide range of great benefits at BSU, including
The salary range shows the potential maximum pay progression in addition to any annual inflationary increase to your pay. Please note that our default position is to appoint into the lower end of the range, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Interviews expected w/c 23rd November 2026
Staff Benefits
We offer a wide range of great benefits at BSU, including
- Generous pension scheme (Local Government Pension Scheme/Teacher's Pension Scheme). This is a defined benefit pension scheme which pays members a secure income for life, post-retirement
- Enhanced paid leave - 41 - 46 days depending on the role (Full Time) - more details here: https://apphub.bathspa.ac.uk/StaffBenefits
- Family friendly policies including hybrid working, flexible work environment, on-site nursery, and a sector-leading enhanced maternity scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme which offers access to on-demand GP appointments, wellbeing support and advice, and access to counselling
- Transport schemes including Electric Vehicle Scheme and Cycle to Work
- Wide range of discounts and financial benefits, accessed through and easy-to-use app
For further details about all our staff benefits, have a look at our rewards page: https://www.bathspa.ac.uk/work-at-bath-spa/rewards-and-benefits/
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
About
At Bath Spa University, we believe in the power of education to break down barriers to opportunity and to transform lives. We are the Professionally Creative for the future. Professional Creativity transcends subject disciplines, and is just as important for our sciences, education, business and law subjects as it is for our sector leading creative industries provision. We connect learners, staff and external partners with applied research and innovation. We power inclusive growth through skills development and practice based, innovation – intensive learning for all.Our main Newton park campus is based in stunning countryside just a few minutes from a World Heritage City. We are also proud to offer courses to students at our other campuses around Bath, and in London at our Canary Wharf and Hackney sites.An impressive 84% of our staff said they would recommend the University to a friend as a good place to work. We are a community of colleagues, striving for excellence to ensure students thrive. Our values are:Respect Inclusivity CollaborationSustainabilityWe are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community. We foster inclusivity, celebrating and respecting differences. We welcome diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds and genders. We consider our recruitment practices to be comprehensive and unbiased; ensuring fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity for all. Information about visa sponsorshipUnder the 2006 Immigration, Nationality and Asylum Act the University has a duty to prevent illegal working by carrying out document checks on all potential employees to confirm that a person has the right to work in the UK.Please note that the University has a legal responsibility to ensure that all employees are entitled to live and work in the UK.For some vacancies (those requiring specific specialist skills or in shortage occupations) we may be able to obtain a certificate of sponsorship for a suitably qualified applicant. Due to the limited availability of sponsorship resources, not all vacancies in this category will be eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship. Sponsorship eligibility will be assessed on a role-by-role basis and is normally limited to positions that meet the University's workforce and immigration criteria.In light of this, for most vacancies it will be unlikely that permission to work in the UK would be granted.For further information please click here to visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
Skills Required
- Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional qualification
- Working knowledge of key funders’ priorities in knowledge exchange, innovation, skills, regeneration, and creative and cultural sectors
- Demonstrable experience writing significant proposals in innovation, vocational, or professional contexts
- Evidence of successful collaborative working with internal and external partners
- Ability to work under pressure, prioritize and organize workload, meet deadlines, and maintain high performance standards
- Good understanding of the UK higher education sector
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The Company
What We Do
We power inclusive growth through creative education and skills development, and we shape futures using practice based, innovation-intensive learning for all.
