Intentional Career Path: Shaping Your Future in Bid and Capture Management
Embarking on a career in Bid and Capture Management is more than just a job—it's a strategic choice that can define your professional journey.
An intentional career path in this field allows you to proactively develop specialised skills, gain industry-recognised certifications, and engage in continuous professional development. APMP UK supports this approach through initiatives like the Intentional Career Path programme, which offers structured guidance, mentoring, and networking opportunities tailored to your career aspirations. By choosing this path, you align yourself with a community dedicated to excellence in winning business, ensuring your role is both purposeful and impactful. This intentional approach not only enhances your career satisfaction but also positions you as a leader in the competitive landscape of bid and capture management.
What an intentional career path looks like:
From Bid Manager to Head of Business Development
When Emma first joined her company as a junior bid coordinator, she never imagined she would one day lead the entire business development function. Starting in bid management, she honed her skills in proposal strategy, stakeholder engagement, and capture planning. Each successful bid was not just a win for the company—it was a learning opportunity that expanded her understanding of market dynamics, client needs, and strategic growth.
Through deliberate career choices, mentorship, and continuous professional development, Emma progressed to senior bid roles, eventually becoming Bid Director. Her deep knowledge of winning business, combined with her strategic insight into client relationships, made her the natural choice to lead the business development team. Today, as Head of Business Development, Emma credits her intentional career path in bidding for equipping her with the analytical, leadership, and strategic skills required to drive company growth.
Her story illustrates how a career in bid and capture is more than operational—it’s a launchpad for leadership and long-term professional impact.
Launching a Career Through the Bid Coordinator Apprenticeship
Liam wasn’t sure which career path to take after finishing school, but he knew he wanted a role that combined organisation, teamwork, and problem-solving. When he discovered the Bid Coordinator Apprenticeship, he saw an opportunity to enter the world of work while gaining practical experience and formal training.
From day one, Liam immersed himself in the bidding process—helping to prepare proposals, coordinating deadlines, and learning how to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders. The apprenticeship gave him structured learning alongside hands-on experience, helping him quickly build confidence and expertise.
Two years in, Liam has already progressed to managing smaller bids independently and is exploring opportunities to specialise in capture management. What started as an apprenticeship has become a launchpad for a deliberate, intentional career in bid and capture, demonstrating that structured entry-level pathways can open doors to long-term professional growth.
Pivoting Into Bidding: Sophia’s Path to Organisational Insight
Sophia spent several years in a customer service role before realising she wanted a more strategic career that offered visibility across her organisation. She discovered the world of bid and capture management and decided to make a deliberate career pivot.
Starting as a Bid Support Specialist, Sophia quickly saw how bidding exposed her to the inner workings of the business—she collaborated with finance, legal, operations, and marketing teams, gaining a holistic understanding of how decisions are made and how different functions contribute to winning contracts. Each proposal she worked on sharpened her strategic thinking and broadened her perspective.
Within three years, Sophia had progressed to a senior bid role, confident not only in her bidding expertise but also in her ability to influence organisational strategy. Her story shows that a career in bidding isn’t just about winning work—it’s a window into how organisations function, empowering professionals to make meaningful, strategic contributions.
My Proposal Career Path
Series of videos from APMP's Intentional Career Path (ICP) Task Force
My Proposal Career Path - Viv Leong
Want to inspire the future generations of bid and capture professionals?
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Certification
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Certifications
APMP offers the world’s first, best and only industry-recognised certification programme for professionals working in a bid and proposal environment. Achieving APMP Certification:
APMP UK values our network of Approved Training Organisations (ATO) and the contribution they make to promoting best practice and championing professional development in bid and proposal management.
Demonstrates a personal commitment to a career and profession.
Improves business development capabilities.
Creates a focus on best team practices.
Gains the respect and credibility of peers, clients and organisational leaders and, in some cases, additional compensation.
Reinforces bid/proposal management as an important role within an organisation and not as an ad hoc function that anyone can perform.
Foundation Level
- Entry-level certification for professionals new to bid and proposal management
- Covers core concepts, terminology, and basic processes
- Ideal for coordinators, support staff, and those starting their career
Practitioner Level
- Builds on Foundation knowledge with practical application
- Focuses on proposal planning, content development, and review techniques
- Suitable for Bid Managers and those responsible for preparing proposals
Capture Practitioner
- Builds on Foundation knowledge with practical application
- Focuses on proposal planning, content development, and review techniques
- Suitable for Bid Managers and those responsible for preparing proposals
Professional Level
- Advanced certification for experienced professionals
- Emphasises strategic bid management, capture planning, and leadership
- Designed for Senior Bid Managers, Directors, and those leading bid teams
Micro Certifications
APMP offers specialised micro-certifications to deepen your skills in key areas of bid and proposal management:
These micro-certifications are open to all professionals in the bid and proposal field, with no prerequisites required. They provide a flexible way to enhance your expertise and demonstrate your commitment to best practices in the industry.
Executive Summaries
- Develop skills to create compelling executive summaries.
- Understand best practices, common pitfalls, and recent trends.
- Perfect for proposal writers and managers focusing on executive content.
Bid & Proposal Writing
- Learn best practices in writing winning bids and proposals.
- Focus on customer-centric content and proposal structure.
- Designed for proposal writers and managers.
Graphics
- Master the creation of impactful and effective graphics for proposals.
- Understand design principles, audience motivation, and tool selection.
- Beneficial for those involved in proposal graphic design.
Competitive Price to Win
- Learn to develop a Competitive Price To Win assessment.
- Understand pricing strategies and their impact on bid success.
- Ideal for professionals involved in pricing and cost estimation.
Artificial Intelligence
- Master the integration of AI tools in proposal writing.
- Learn prompt engineering, tool selection, and balancing innovation with compliance.
- Ideal for proposal writers, managers, and business development professionals.
Strategic Response Management
- Gain knowledge in bid planning, strategic alignment, and response development.
- Equip yourself to contribute effectively to bid teams.
- Suitable for those involved in strategic bid management.
Leadership Academy
The APMP Leadership Academy is the premier development program tailored specificallyfor professionals in bid and proposal management. This six-month hybrid learning journeycombines live online sessions with offline milestones, offering a comprehensive curriculumdesigned to enhance leadership capabilities within the industry.
Whether you're an established leader seeking to refine your skills or an aspiring leader aimingto advance your career, the APMP Leadership Academy provides the knowledge andcredentials to propel you forward in the bid and proposal profession.
Leadership Academy Graduate
Key Features:
- Exclusive Certification: Graduates earn the APMP Leadership Certification (CL APMP), a prestigious credential that underscores their commitment and expertise in leadership.
- Structured Learning: The program comprises eight modules that delve into real-world, industry-specific scenarios, providing participants with practical tools and strategies to excel in leadership roles.
- Flexible Format: Designed to fit seamlessly into the professional lives of participants, the Academy offers a blend of live sessions and offline tasks, ensuring a balanced and manageable learning experience.
- Cohort-Based Approach: Each cohort is limited to 20 APMP members, fostering an intimate learning environment that encourages collaboration and networking among peers.
Find an ATO
Want to develop your skills? Find an accredited training organisation here
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeship: Bid and Proposal Co-ordinator (level3)
Apprenticeships are a UK government initiative to combine learning with on the job experience. The government operates a number of apprenticeships including the Bid and Proposal Coordinator role. The UK scheme is open to anyone who is:
16 years or older
Not in full-time education
Living in England
At the end of the 2 years and successful end point assessment, the individual will have a Level 3 qualification - equal to an A level.
This scheme is active in England only, if you don’t live in England, separate schemes operation in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland and you will need to enquire about their plans for eqivalent schemes.
Employer Help
Considering offering a Bid Proposal & Coordinator Apprenticeship? The government has an easy to understand guide to the benefits. Click here for full details. Benefits include:
Offer on-the-job training in a safe working environment
Building a culture of learning and development
Enjoying higher staff retention and morale
Promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace
Specifically for the Bid & Proposal Coordinator Apprentice role it supports new business through the full end to end proposal process – from initial interest and co-ordinating activities around pursuit of an opportunity, co-ordination of responses to pre-qualification questionnaires (PQQ), if applicable, and final tender proposal documentation submission.
The role involves providing support to all affiliated functions to assist the quality and timely completion of proposal submissions – including organising meetings, structuring and writing proposal content, coordinating relevant activities and document management. This role extends to a range of related commercial activity such as sector analysis, trend analysis, engaging in contract law, and developing strategies to win business for a variety of goods and services.
Training is an essential part of an apprenticeship. Apprentices receive regular training to help them gain the knowledge and skills they need to have a successful career. This training will account for 20% of the working week and can include:
Attending a college, university or training centre
Undertaking online courses
Studying by themselves
Working with a workplace mentor
The government (through the apprenticeship levy) funds the training up to £8,000, which includes the end point assessment
Considering taking up an Apprenticeship?
The Bid& Proposal Coordinator Apprenticeship focuses on building skills in:
Bid process
Proposal development
Roles and responsibilities
Organisation and planning
Writing and editorial
Communications
Plus development of commercial capability, vital to businesses and valued across all sectors.
At the end of the 2 year training there will be an end point assessment to determine final grade, check out the guide
Apprentice guide to assessment - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
While studying apprentices can qualify for the student membership of APMP, at a significantly reduced rate, click here to find out more. Having the membership gives the learner access to the industry best practice through the body of knowledge, networking with professionals, APMP TV, webinars and events.
Where to find out more?
Want to get started, check out our APMPUK Bid and Proposal Coordinator factsheet
Other useful links (key government maintained sites)
https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/apprentices/browse-apprenticeships
Bid and proposal co-ordinator / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
Approved Trainers
There are currently 3 that support the Bid and Proposal Co-Ordinator Apprenticeship offering differing options for learning, click on their profiles below (as stated on the government apprenticeship website)
Syllabus
Assessment
Assessment
"I think more young people who are unsure of their further education and career ambitions need to be told that if you are someone who works best from learning from experienced people around you and have a strong work ethic, then an apprenticeship could be the better option for you".
Origins of the Apprenticeship
When the scheme launched in 2018 APMPUK supported the government's development of the Bid and Proposal Coordinator apprenticeship which focuses on the entry level skills into our profession.
Bidding as a career choice
A career in bidding and capture management offers more than just a job—it’s a strategic, high-impact profession where your work directly influences business growth. Professionals in this field gain exposure to multiple aspects of an organisation, from strategy and finance to operations and client engagement, providing unmatched visibility into how businesses function. With opportunities for continuous learning, professional development, and leadership, a career in bidding allows you to build a purposeful, rewarding path while developing transferable skills that are valued across industries. It’s a career where every project contributes to tangible results and long-term organisational success.
Potential career paths
Why Bidding Roles Can Be Confusing – and Why Uniformity Matters
If you’ve ever explored careers in bid and proposal management, you’ve probably noticed something striking: the same role can have multiple names, and conversely, the same job title can mean very different responsibilities in different organizations. A “Bid Manager” at one company might lead complex multi-million-pound bids, while at another, they may simply coordinate deadlines and documents. Titles like “Capture Manager,” “Proposal Lead,” or “Tender Specialist” can overlap in scope—or diverge entirely—depending on the organisation.
This lack of standardisation can be frustrating for professionals entering the field or moving between organisations. Unlike careers such as accounting or project management, where job levels (e.g., Associate, Senior, Manager, Director) are clearly defined and widely understood, bidding roles often lack consistent frameworks. When recruiters omit salary information, this confusion can lead to disappointment or mismatched expectations, creating challenges for both employers and candidates.
At APMP UK, we recognise the importance of clarity and consistency in defining career paths within bid and capture. We are actively exploring how we can provide better guidance on roles, responsibilities, and progression, helping both organisations and professionals navigate this dynamic and rewarding career more confidently.
Join the Intentional Career Path Group to support this valuable work: icp@apmpuk.co.uk