ABOUT THE ROLE 

• We are looking for an experienced and dynamic Head of Bids and Proposals to join our team at HyperionDev in South Africa. You will play a crucial role in driving our mission to expand access to quality tech education across the continent and beyond. Your expertise will be essential in managing a team of bid specialists to secure partnerships and funding that align with our social impact goals, especially in tech education.
• In this role, you will collaborate closely with our CEO and the Partnerships Team to strategize and execute bid applications, focusing on creating opportunities within both the public and private sectors locally and internationally. You will also ensure our proposals reflect our commitment to excellence and innovation in education, ultimately contributing to the empowerment of learners across Southern Africa and globally.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead a team of bid managers to develop, submit, and secure successful bid proposals, with an emphasis on building partnerships with educational institutions, government agencies, and corporate partners in South Africa and beyond.
• Strategise and manage the entire bid lifecycle—from identifying opportunities to crafting competitive proposals that showcase our expertise and social mission.
• Develop and refine a bid strategy that increases our competitiveness and maximises impact, ensuring all bid submissions are of the highest quality and align with HyperionDev’s values.
• Engage with internal stakeholders, including the Partnerships and Strategy teams, as well as external legal advisors, to navigate complex procurement processes and identify ways to challenge or strengthen bid proposals.
• Foster and maintain relationships with key partners, including government departments, local and international universities, and funding bodies, to support our efforts in expanding access to technology education.

REQUIREMENTS
Minimum:

• 3+ years of experience in a bid-related role in private or public sector, as well as a track record of winning proposals within highly competitive markets
• 1 year of experience in a management position related to procuring or delivering tenders
• 1 year of experience winning tenders/bids related specifically to higher education delivery 
• 1-3 years corporate strategic and technical writing experience
• A tertiary qualification in Communications, Marketing, PR or related discipline 
• Proven ability to effectively manage a high volume of commercial tenders to varying timescales
• Strong knowledge of bid writing principles and ability to translate for a wide range of subject matters
• Exceptional communication skills and the ability to clearly present a business rationale 
• High attention to detail coupled with high standards
• Ability to multitask with research projects, data analysis and coordination with the executive team

Preferred: 

• 2+ years of prior experience in a high growth company or tech startup
• 5+ years of experience in a bid-related role in private or public sector, as well as a track record of winning proposals within highly competitive markets
• 2+ years of experience running the bidding function or a company that derived at least £20mil/year in realised revenue through bids 
• Experience as a Bid Writer in the education / education technology industry
• Experience winning significant bids and government tenders for education projects in the UK and abroad