Senior Bid Manager

Company OverviewWe are a specialized consultancy with a decade-long track record securing multi-million-euro funding at the intersection of public ambition and private capital. With offices in Milan and London, we operate across Europe and Asia, delivering social impact through profitable business models. Our expertise lies in transforming innovative concepts into fundable propositions, impact investing, and innovation ecosystem development. We are the trusted partner for complex public-private partnerships, creating structures where all stakeholders win. As we scale our strategic bidding capabilities, we seek an exceptional professional to lead our Bid Factory practice area.Job SummaryYou will own the complete lifecycle of strategic funding acquisition, from opportunity identification through successful delivery. This senior role requires a proven track record securing multi-million-euro funding streams, with particular expertise in HORIZON Europe RIA and IA schemes. You will build partner ecosystems essential for complex consortium leadership while ensuring bid activities align with our mission of bridging public ambition and private capital.The successful candidate understands that winning impact-focused bids requires more than compliance—it demands compelling narratives that resonate with evaluators, the ability to translate complex innovations into fundable propositions, and orchestration of diverse stakeholders around shared visions. You will see each bid as a building block in long-term ecosystem development. Your network spans sectors and geographies; you engage equally comfortably with ministers, venture capitalists, researchers, and social entrepreneurs.Position DetailsTitle: Senior Bid Manager - EU & International FundingLocation: Milan OR London (hybrid), with travel across European and Asian marketsType: Full-time Contractor with opportunity for employment and future partnership based on resultsKey ResponsibilitiesStrategic Business DevelopmentGenerate and maintain a qualified pipeline exceeding €2M annually through strategic market intelligence and proactive opportunity identificationLead full lifecycle of complex, multi-stakeholder HORIZON Europe RIA/IA proposals, ensuring technical excellence and compelling impact narrativesCoordinate proposal development including partner engagement, content drafting, budgeting, and compliance, maintaining target success rate of 25%+Develop deep relationships with funding bodies, understanding emerging priorities before calls publishOperational ExcellenceEstablish and refine bid management processes ensuring consistent success rates across concurrent proposalsImplement knowledge management systems, templates, and lessons learned repositoriesOversee quality assurance ensuring highest technical and presentation standardsConduct structured scouting and reporting of EU and international funding opportunitiesMonitor policy developments to inform strategy and opportunity targetingEcosystem LeadershipOrchestrate complex international consortiums spanning public institutions, private capital, research organizations, and impact enterprisesNavigate cross-border regulatory requirements while building lasting partnershipsAct as primary relationship manager with key ecosystem playersManage relationships with 50+ active partners while strategically expanding into new geographies aligned with our Asia-Europe focusRequired QualificationsEducation Master's degree required. Valuable backgrounds include Engineering, Innovation Management, Technology Transfer, Environmental Science, European Studies, International Relations, Public Policy, or Social Sciences. Technical degrees combined with research commercialization or policy implementation experience especially welcomed.Experience5+ years in EU project design and proposal writing, particularly HORIZON 2020/EuropeAt least 2 successful awarded RIA or IA projects within last 5 yearsSubmission/award track record >25%Proven €2M+ annual pipeline development with strategic rationale for opportunity selectionExperience with at least one: innovation ecosystem development, ESG/impact measurement, public-private partnership structuring, or deep tech commercializationDomain expertise in sustainability, innovation ecosystems, deep tech, or public-private partnershipsEstablished partner network with experience leading consortiums through full lifecycle across different geographies and regulatory regimesSystematic EU and international funding opportunity scoutingPost-award project delivery management for complex multi-partner initiativesTechnical SkillsProject management certification or demonstrated proficiency (PMP, PRINCE2)EU Funding and Tenders Portal expertiseDeep understanding of evaluation criteria and proposal requirementsImpact measurement methodologies and ESG reporting frameworksAdvanced financial modelling for multi-partner budgets and blended finance structuresProficiency with collaborative proposal platforms and consortium coordination toolsLanguage English: Native or C1 fluencyCore CompetenciesStrategic Vision: Identify funding opportunities aligned with market trends and company positioningStakeholder Orchestration: Align diverse partner interests across cultural and regulatory boundariesAnalytical Thinking: Strong problem-solving with attention to detailIndependence: Self-directed with minimal supervisionCommunication: Excellent written and verbal skills across all stakeholder levelsCommercial Acumen: Balance social impact with financial sustainabilityAdaptability: Comfort with ambiguity in startup environmentPreferred QualificationsExperience with EU tenders and multilateral banksFamiliarity with LIFE, Digital Europe, Interreg programmesAdditional languages (Arabic, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Hindi)Published track record in ESG, impact investing, or innovation policyExperience with Social Impact Bonds, blended finance, or innovation procurementExisting relationships with European/Asian funding bodies and innovation agenciesPhilanthropic grant application experienceStartup and consulting industry experienceWhat We OfferProfessional DevelopmentLeadership opportunity to build a strategic business unit with P&L responsibilityCross-functional exposure with leadership teamHigh-impact, cross-border project portfolioIndustry network and diverse client exposureWork-Life BalanceFlexible schedule with hybrid setup (2-3 days/week in office)Location flexibility between Milan and LondonCollaborative startup culture with direct impact visibilityCompensation & BenefitsCompetitive market-rate salaryPerformance bonus tied to win rates and funding securedEquity participation opportunity as unit scalesApplication ProcessInitial screening call (30 min)Technical interview: track record, case study on past bids, consortium management, impact framework (90 min)Final leadership interviews (2 x 30 min)Equal Opportunity StatementWe welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, or disability status. 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