Tender Writer

Job description

Who are we? Howden is a global insurance group with employee ownership at its heart. Together, we have pushed the boundaries of insurance. We are united by a shared passion and no-limits mindset, and our strength lies in our ability to collaborate as a powerful international team comprised of 24,000 employees spanning over 56 countries. People join Howden for many different reasons, but they stay for the same one: our culture. It’s what sets us apart, and the reason our employees have been turning down headhunters for years. Whatever your priorities – work / life balance, career progression, sustainability, volunteering – you’ll find like-minded people driving change at Howden. The Role This role is responsible for the written content of high‑value tenders, RFPs and pitch documents, supporting large, strategically important new business opportunities. Working closely with senior New Business leaders and subject‑matter experts, you will shape persuasive, client‑specific responses that clearly articulate value, manage risk and support long‑term client relationships. This is a writing‑first role, focused on narrative quality, clarity and rigour rather than visual design. What you’ll do Bid & Tender Writing Write end-to-end responses for RFPs, ITTs and major tender submissions, crafting each response to the individual prospect Translate technical and specialist input into clear, compelling client language. Structure proposals to tell a coherent, persuasive story aligned to client priorities and evaluation criteria. Coordinate and synthesise input from senior stakeholders and subject‑matter experts. Ensure submissions are accurate, compliant and meticulously detailed. Manage deadlines, version control and final submissions across multiple live opportunities. Capture tender debrief feedback and apply learning to future bids. Support the refinement of the firm’s wider value proposition and messaging. Presentation & Design Support Contribute to PowerPoint decks and pitch documents, focusing on narrative flow rather than design execution. Review presentations to ensure consistency between written responses and visual materials. Support structuring of executive summaries and key messages for senior audiences. Who we’re looking for Proven experience writing bids, tenders or proposals in a professional services environment. Exceptional written communication skills and very strong attention to detail. Strong Word capability and confident use of PowerPoint (content‑led rather than design‑led). Comfortable working in high‑pressure, deadline‑driven environments. Confident engaging with senior stakeholders and technical contributors. Structured, resilient and calm under pressure. Backgrounds that work well include: Bid / Tender Writer Legal or consultancy New Business professional Proposals or RFP specialist What do we offer in return? A career that you define. At Howden, we value diversity – there is no one Howden type. Instead, we’re looking for individuals who share the same values as us: Our successes have all come from someone brave enough to try something new We support each other in the small everyday moments and the bigger challenges We are determined to make a positive difference at work and beyond Reasonable adjustments We're committed to providing reasonable accommodations at Howden to ensure that our positions align well with your needs. Besides the usual adjustments such as software, IT, and office setups, we can also accommodate other changes such as flexible hours* or hybrid working*. If you're excited by this role but have some doubts about whether it’s the right fit for you, send us your application – if your profile fits the role’s criteria, we will be in touch to assist in helping to get you set up with any reasonable adjustments you may require. *Not all positions can accommodate changes to working hours or locations. Reach out to your Recruitment Partner if you want to know more. Permanent