We’re hiring a Graduate Business Development & Bid Writer for our London office. This is a high-impact role at the heart of our growth strategy: supporting the fee earners – predominantly MRICS Chartered Surveyors – who deliver our consultancy services, and helping the firm win new instructions and grow consultancy turnover across both public and private sectors.
Hartnell Taylor Cook (HTC) is a growing, dynamic SME independent consultancy operating across the UK commercial real estate sector. Our MRICS Chartered Surveyors and wider team advise central government, local authorities, the NHS, blue-chip occupiers and major investors on complex and interesting property challenges – combining the agility of an SME with a national reputation built over decades.
Reporting to our Director of Bids and Public Sector, you’ll work alongside our senior leadership and Chartered Surveyor fee earners from day one – contributing to live bids and the strategies behind them from your first week.
In return, we’ll invest seriously in your development: structured onboarding, mentoring from senior fee earners, sponsorship for relevant professional qualifications, and a clear development plan tailored to your career goals.
We’re looking for someone sharp, organised and self-motivated, with a strong eye for detail and the creative flair to translate technical content into compelling, USP-led writing. You’ll be a confident communicator who thrives under deadlines and is comfortable working with senior fee earners to keep bids on track.
Key responsibilities:
This is a varied, fast-moving role – no two weeks look the same. In a typical month you’ll touch multiple live bids, frameworks and presentations. Here’s where you’ll spend your time:
Bid and Business Development Management
- Support Directors in the preparation and submission of bids for a wide variety of public and private sector opportunities – from major government and NHS frameworks to high-profile commercial pitches.
- Support and take part in story-board meetings, help developing win themes and establishing USPs for each bid and client.
- Set up and maintain structured bid folders, trackers and version control systems.
- Manage bid clarifications, portal communications and submission requirements.
- Complete Pre-Qualification Questionnaires (PSQs) and coordinate input from HR, Finance, H&S and other departments.
- Collate supporting evidence, attachments and appendices for bid preparation, ensuring correct formatting and naming conventions.
- Working alongside marketing and independently create organisational charts, graphics and supporting imagery where required.
- Ensure all bid submissions are compliant, professionally formatted and submitted on time.
- Working with AI tools where required.
- Design and develop polished PowerPoint presentations for client pitches and internal bid reviews.
- Developing and implementing business wide social value concepts & plans, assisting in updating our ESG commitments, retaining our social pledges, awards and badges.
- Supporting the retention/expansion of our accreditations and awards (e.g. ISOs etc.).
- Manage, maintain and update bid go/no go matrices.
Frameworks, Tracking & Reporting
- Support and maintain our position on leading real estate Frameworks, including supporting re-tendering processes and reporting throughout the year
- Monitor and manage public and private sector portals, including Find a Tender and framework portals
- Receive, process, record and track all tender opportunities and framework invitations
- Track bid and framework invitations and assess against internal opportunity matrices
- Draft and issue internal reporting relating to bids and public sector activity
- Maintain key event trackers and departmental spreadsheets
- Support the management of public sector frameworks
- Track ongoing and completed bids, reporting on progress and outcomes
- Update quarterly bid reports and other internal performance reports
- Develop a library of resources for easy incorporation in upcoming bids
Team Support
- Provide comprehensive diary management for Directors and the wider team
- Schedule meetings and coordinate internal bid review sessions
- Chase fee earners and contributors for required information and deadlines
- Undertake additional ad hoc administrative duties as required
Skills and Experience:
- 2:1 or 1st class degree from a leading university
- Minimum of ABB at A Level (or equivalent UCAS points)
- Keen interest in the real estate / Public Sector / the wider built environment
- Exceptional written communication and presentation skills, attention to detail
- Ability to articulate complex concepts in a concise, yet simple manner
- Comfortable collaborating with a varied group of people across the Business
- Curious about Commercial Surveying and the real estate industry and associated specialisms, ready to learn our services lines inside out
- Proactive and eager to learn
- Ready to work in a fast paced environment, with the ambiguity and change inherent of a scale-up
- Previous placement, marketing, or writing experience (desirable but not essential)
What we can offer you:
- Competitive salary
- Bonus scheme
- 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
- Auto enrolment pension scheme (5% Employee, 4% Employer)
- Life insurance 4 x salary
- Benefits including health cash plan, Holiday purchase, Cycle to work, EV car scheme, gym and retail discounts
- Employee Assistance Program
- Volunteering policy
- Professional subscription/fees
- Continuing Professional Development, including funded training, industry conferences, and sponsorship for relevant professional qualifications
- Structured graduate onboarding with a dedicated mentor and an assigned buddy
- Direct exposure to senior leadership and clients from day one – no being parked in the back office
- A modern London office, a friendly team, and regular socials and charity events
- The chance to help build something: you’ll have real influence on how we use AI and new technology to win bids
Ready to start something? We’d love to hear from you. Send your CV and a short note telling us what excites you about the role to Leanne Jonas, Director – Head of People, at [email protected]
