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- Tasks: Lead bid management activities and shape compelling offers for clients.
- Company: Join Thales, a leader in integrated airspace-protection systems.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, performance bonuses, and flexible hybrid working.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that values innovation and collaboration.
- Qualifications: Experience managing large bids (£20m+) and strong negotiation skills required.
- Other info: Security clearance is necessary; must be a sole British National from birth.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Job title: Senior Bid Manager
Location: Belfast (hybrid working – 3 days per week in the office vs. home)
Hours: Full time or part time opportunities available
Do you have a positive attitude combined with excellent interpersonal and motivational skills? Do you enjoy being able to generate or initiate innovative solutions? Do you pride yourself on leading bid teams, shaping compelling and competitive offers to clients? Then look no further…
What the role has to offer:
- Working in an exciting dynamic fast paced environment
- Working on high tech interesting projects
- Working in a team environment with individual work tasks
Core Benefits:
On offer is a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes;
- Performance-related bonus
- Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:00pm
- 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) plus opportunity to buy up to 40 hours/year (pro rata)
- 24 hours volunteering paid for
- Private healthcare (grade dependent)
- Pension scheme
- Life cover
- 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app
- Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
- Gym membership discounts
Our Opportunity:
This is a truly demanding and interesting role where you will gain exposure across a wide variety of bids and where you will be responsible for leading the bid team to ensure successful bid production and delivery. You will put your professional bid management capabilities to the test by giving rigour to change control, commercial awareness and stakeholder management.
Key responsibilities include:
- Bringing structure, clarity and governance to the bid process.
- Helping shape solutions to provide compelling offers to our customers.
- Managing strong relationships with internal and external key UK and international customers.
- Managing multi-disciplinary bid teams to deliver high quality business winning proposals.
- Applying business acumen to maximise Thales’ position to secure new business.
- Managing the preparation of prequalification response submissions to customers with the objective of securing an invitation to bid.
- Leading in Bid Kick-Off meetings, providing bid management direction and engagement with the Bid Team.
- Managing the creation of the bid deliverables, shaping a compelling offer and ensuring review and governance, leading to the creation of a high-quality proposal.
About You:
We would be keen to see an application from you if you have the following skills/experience:
- A proven track record of managing and delivering successful bids in contexts relevant to Thales: defence, heavy engineering (aerospace, rail, energy, marine), or construction, or IT infrastructure backgrounds.
- Experience managing large, complex bids.
- Full business/bid lifecycle management, including capture, qualification and developing capture plans and winning strategies.
- Experience of working across boundaries, including knowledge of commercial management, finance functions.
- A working knowledge of industry standard approaches to bid management (such as Shipley Capture Bench).
- The ability to successfully manage a bid team and to drive solutions to successful conclusion.
- Negotiation skills with the ability to deal with customers, partners, suppliers and other parts of the business (stakeholder management skills).
Senior Bid Manager employer: Thales
Contact Detail:
Thales Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Bid Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the specific bid management methodologies mentioned in the job description, such as Shipley Capture Bench. Understanding these frameworks will help you demonstrate your expertise during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your experience managing large, complex bids, especially those valued at £20m or more. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you successfully led bid teams and shaped competitive offers.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your interpersonal and negotiation skills by preparing anecdotes that illustrate your ability to manage relationships with stakeholders, customers, and partners effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Thales and its Integrated Airspace-Protection Systems to understand their products and services. This knowledge will allow you to tailor your discussions and demonstrate your genuine interest in the company during the interview process.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Bid Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Make sure to thoroughly read the job description for the Senior Bid Manager position. Highlight key responsibilities and required skills, and think about how your experience aligns with these.
Tailor Your CV: Customize your CV to emphasize your experience in managing large, complex bids, particularly those valued at £20m or more. Include specific examples of successful bid management and stakeholder engagement.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your interpersonal and motivational skills. Discuss your approach to leading bid teams and shaping competitive offers, and how you can bring value to Thales.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your application, make sure to mention any relevant experience from sectors like defence, aerospace, or IT infrastructure. Emphasize your knowledge of industry-standard bid management approaches and your ability to drive solutions.
How to prepare for a job interview at Thales
✨Showcase Your Bid Management Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience managing large, complex bids, especially those valued at £20m or more. Highlight specific examples where you successfully led bid teams and delivered compelling proposals.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Management Skills
Emphasize your ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Share instances where your negotiation skills helped secure buy-in from key partners or clients.
✨Understand the Bid Life Cycle
Familiarize yourself with the entire bid life cycle and be ready to discuss how you have applied industry-standard approaches to bid management, such as Shipley Capture Bench, in your previous roles.
✨Prepare for Security Clearance Questions
Since this role requires Security Clearance, be ready to answer questions about your residency in the UK and any potential issues that could affect your eligibility. Understanding the process will show your preparedness for the role.
