1

Bid Manager Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Senior Project Manager

Ames, IA

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Serve as the bid captain for projects that you may manage * Provide input during estimate review * Review the project for constructability concerns and prefabrication opportunities. * Lead the bid ...

Senior Project Manager

Ames, IA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Serve as the bid captain for projects that you may manage * Provide input during estimate review * Review the project for constructability concerns and prefabrication opportunities. * Lead the bid ...

Project Manager

Ames, IA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Develop Bid Package Index and assign scope-of-work responsibility * Prepare Preliminary Project ... Management, Construction Engineering, or related study preferred. * 7+ years of construction ...

Project Manager

Ames, IA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Develop Bid Package Index and assign scope-of-work responsibility * Prepare Preliminary Project ... Management, Construction Engineering, or related study preferred. * 7+ years of construction ...

Project Manager

Ames, IA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Develop Bid Package Index and assign scope-of-work responsibility * Prepare Preliminary Project ... Management, Construction Engineering, or related study preferred. * 7+ years of construction ...

Senior Estimator

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$90K - $120K/yr

Work directly with owners, construction managers, architects, engineers, and contractors * Attend pre-bid site walk-throughs * Prepare detailed quantity takeoffs and estimates * Dissect projects into ...

Senior Estimator

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$90K - $120K/yr

Work directly with owners, construction managers, architects, engineers, and contractors * Attend pre-bid site walk-throughs * Prepare detailed quantity takeoffs and estimates * Dissect projects into ...

The Project Manager will be responsible for preparing detailed estimates for Construction projects ... Attend pre-bid meetings to determine the scope of work and the required contents of projects

Showing results 21-40

Bid Manager information

See Iowa salary details

$24.9K

$65.8K

$120.7K

How much do bid manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for bid manager in Iowa is $65,782.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $32,900.00 and $100,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a bid manager?

Bid Managers are professionals responsible for overseeing the entire process of preparing and submitting bids or proposals for new business opportunities. They coordinate between different departments to ensure that the company’s proposals are competitive, compliant with client requirements, and submitted on time. Bid Managers analyze tender documents, manage timelines, and contribute to pricing and strategy discussions. Their role is crucial in winning contracts and generating revenue for an organization.

What does a bid manager do?

The job of a bid manager is to oversee the bid process for goods or services. As the manager, you direct a group of bid specialists to analyze budgetary and financial concerns, assess the needs of the company, and research pricing for a service or product. You and your team then develop a request for a proposal outlining the technical and financial requirements, which is sent out to potential bidders for a contract. After receiving the proposals, you assess the bids and move on to the procurement stage.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a bid manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Bid Manager, you need expertise in project management, proposal writing, and business development, often supported by a degree in business or a related field. Familiarity with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software, document management systems, and bidding platforms is typically required. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate and communicate persuasively are crucial soft skills. These competencies ensure the creation of compelling, compliant bids that increase win rates and drive business growth.

What are some common challenges bid managers face when coordinating cross-functional teams during the bidding process?

Bid Managers often encounter challenges such as aligning priorities among diverse stakeholders, managing tight deadlines, and ensuring clear communication across departments like sales, technical, legal, and finance. Successfully navigating these challenges requires strong organizational and interpersonal skills to keep everyone focused on the bid objectives and timelines. Additionally, Bid Managers must be adept at resolving conflicts and adapting quickly to last-minute changes or requirements, which are common in the fast-paced bidding environment.

What is the difference between Bid Manager vs Proposal Coordinator?

AspectBid ManagerProposal Coordinator
Primary RoleOversees the entire bidding process, manages bid strategies, and leads proposal developmentSupports proposal creation, coordinates content, and assists in document preparation
Required SkillsProject management, strategic planning, communicationWriting, editing, organization, teamwork
Work EnvironmentTypically in project teams, often in construction, engineering, or government sectorsCollaborative office setting, supporting bid teams
CertificationsOften requires industry-specific certifications, project management credentialsLess formal certifications, focus on communication and organization skills

The Bid Manager and Proposal Coordinator roles are closely related but differ mainly in scope and responsibility. The Bid Manager leads the entire bid process, while the Proposal Coordinator provides essential support. Both roles are vital in winning contracts, especially in construction, engineering, and government sectors.

How do you become a bid manager?

To become a bid manager, candidates typically need a background in project management, sales, or business development, along with strong skills in proposal writing, negotiation, and strategic planning. Relevant certifications such as PRINCE2 or PMP can enhance prospects, and experience in the industry or with bid management tools is often required. Gaining experience through entry-level roles and developing leadership and communication skills are key steps in the career path.

Is a bid manager a good career?

A bid manager is a professional responsible for coordinating and preparing proposals to secure business contracts, often requiring strong project management, communication, and negotiation skills. It can be a rewarding career with opportunities for advancement in industries such as construction, engineering, and government contracting, especially for those with relevant certifications and experience. Job stability and growth depend on industry demand and individual performance.

What are the most commonly searched types of Bid jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Bid jobs in Iowa are:

What are popular job titles related to Bid Manager jobs in Iowa?

For Bid Manager jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Bid Manager jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Bid Manager jobs in Iowa are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Bid Manager jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Bid Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Bid Manager job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,782 per year, or $31.6 per hour.

Traveling Project Manager 1 - Justice

Je Dunn Construction Group

Des Moines, IA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago


JE Dunn Construction rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 18 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Best People + Right Culture. These are the driving forces behind JE Dunn's success.

By hiring inspired people, giving them interesting and challenging work, enabling them with innovative tools, and letting them share in the company's rewards, we've found a sustainable way to grow in our industry for the last 100+ years.

Our diverse teams around the country strive to enrich lives through inspired people and places everyday, and we need inspired people like you to join us in building authentic partnerships.

Role Summary

JE Dunn, ENR's #2-ranked Contractor in Correctional Facilities Construction, is looking for individuals who want to be part of our traveling family building innovative, efficient, safe, and technologically advanced courthouses and corrections facilities that make lasting impacts on the individuals and communities they serve. The Traveling Project Manager 1 - Justice will support the growing portfolio of projects for JE Dunn Justice clients throughout the United States. #LI-AH1

The Traveling Project Manager 1 - Justice will provide overall direction and leadership for an entire project or a portion of a larger, more complex project in concert with the Project Superintendent. This position will fully implement and manage the operation and administration of the project. Builds and maintains lasting relationships with clients, design teams and subcontractors. All activities will be performed in support of the strategy, vision and values of JE Dunn.

  • Autonomy & Decision Making: Makes decisions within defined limits of authority and consults supervisor on other decisions.
  • Career Path: Project Manager 2.
Key Role Responsibilities - Core

PROJECT MANAGEMENT FAMILY - CORE

  • Leads all aspects of the company's safety culture and creates awareness by demonstrating commitment to an injury-free environment through individual actions and mentoring others. Investigates safety incidents and retrains staff as needed.
  • Manages the JE Dunn prestart process.
  • Supports the preconstruction team including quantity takeoff, trade coordination and scope of work development, scope review, bid package development, schedule development, bid list creation and bid advertisement.
  • Leads plan and implementation of buyout schedule. Verifies pricing and scope, identifies successful bidders, provides gap analysis against initial scope and manages issuance of subcontracts.
  • Manages the submittal schedule set-up. Coordinates priorities with the team; reviews and approves all shop drawings and samples prior to submittal to architects or engineers.
  • Ensures approved submittals are returned to subcontractors and available to project team per the project schedule and the contract.
  • Coordinates with Logistics to obtain pricing on materials and equipment.
  • Confers with risk management to ensure approval and/or bonding requirements for subcontractors. Reviews decisions with project leader. Provides ongoing risk analysis of subcontractors throughout project lifecycle.
  • Coordinates the various stakeholders of the project including but not limited to subcontractors, owner, field, design team, vendors, etc. 
  • Disseminates change requests to subcontractors for pricing and schedule input. Gathers and evaluates subcontractor pricing to confirm accuracy. 
  • Prepares, submits and obtains owner/architect approval for change requests.
  • Leads various meetings such as monthly project reviews, progress meetings and OAC (Owner Architect) meetings.
  • Completes monthly subcontractor and owner pay application process.
  • Prepares project schedule with the Project Superintendent. Gathers input from project team and utilizes Lean principles as appropriate. Develops and updates project schedule for both preconstruction and construction activities. Manages materials, labor and procurement logs to ensure appropriate resources are available to meet the project schedule.
  • Identifies potential schedule impacts including scope, weather, manpower and changes, and facilitates mitigation plans for these impacts.
  • Provides appropriate written documentation for decisions affecting various aspects of the project such as budget, schedule, legal, quality and/or safety. Employs current best practices for documentation requirements.
  • Provides a variety of regular reporting and analysis to project team(s) to communicate overall project status and profitability.
  • Prepares monthly cost and margin forecast with input from superintendent and reviews with the project team. Participates in the development of the project budget. Regularly reviews costs relative to the budget and highlights discrepancies to enable improved financial performance.
  • Leads overall project closeout process using best practice standards, tools and processes such as the close-out punch list, financials, sub contracts, warranties, etc. 
  • Interfaces with region/company legal counsel as appropriate.
Key Role Responsibilities - Additional Core

N/A

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Ability to perform work accurately and completely, and in a timely manner.
  • Communication skills, verbal and written (Intermediate).
  • Ability to conduct effective presentations.
  • Proficiency in MS Office (Intermediate).
  • Ability to apply fundamentals of the means and methods of construction management to projects.
  • Thorough knowledge of project processes and how each supports the successful completion of a project.
  • Ability to build relationships and collaborate within a team, internally and externally.
  • Proficiency in project management and accounting software (Advanced).
  • Proficiency in required construction technology (Advanced).
  • Proficiency in scheduling software (Advanced).
  • Ability to apply Lean process and philosophy (Intermediate).
  • Ability to manage budgets, maximize profitability and generate future work through building relationships.
  • Ability to build relationships with team members that transcend a project.
Education
  • Bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering or related field.
  • In lieu of the above requirements, equivalent relevant experience will be considered.
Experience
  • 5+ years construction management experience.
  • Prior experience working on large or complex Justice / Corrections construction projects (Preferred).
Working Environment
  • Valid and unrestricted drivers license required
  • Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds
  • May require periods of travel and/or relocation
  • Must be willing to work non-traditional hours to meet project needs
  • May be exposed to extreme conditions (hot or cold)
  • Assignment location may include project sites and/or in the office
  • Frequent activity: Sitting, Viewing Computer Screen
  • Occasional activity: Standing, Walking, Bending, Climbing, Reaching above Shoulder, Pushing, Pulling
Benefits Information

The benefits package aligned to this position is Professional Non-Union. Please click the link below for more details.

Click here for benefits details.

This role is expected to accept applications for at least three business days and may continue to be posted until a qualified applicant is selected or the position has been cancelled.

JE Dunn Construction is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and it is our policy to provide equal opportunity to all people without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other legally protected category. JE Dunn Construction is a background screening, drug-free workplace.

JE Dunn provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation in order to apply for a job, please submit your request to accommodations@jedunn.com

JE Dunn Construction Company does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or agencies. Any resume submitted to any employee of JE Dunn Construction without a prior written search agreement will be considered unsolicited and the property of JE Dunn Construction Company.  Please, no phone calls or emails.

***For this opportunity, JE Dunn Construction will not sponsor an applicant for work visa status or employment authorization, nor will we offer any immigration-related support for this position (including but not limited to H-1B, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, F-1 CPT, J-1, TN-1 or TN-2, E-3, O-1, or future sponsorship for U.S. lawful permanent residence status.)*** 


What JE Dunn Construction employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom