At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead bid teams to create winning proposals and manage the bid process.
- Company: Join Thales, a leader in high-tech projects across various industries.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, performance bonuses, and gym discounts.
- Why this job: Be part of exciting projects while developing your skills in a dynamic team environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in managing complex bids, with strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with half days on Fridays and opportunities for volunteering.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
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
Familiarise yourself with the specific industries relevant to Thales, such as defence and aerospace. Understanding the nuances of these sectors will help you speak their language during interviews and demonstrate your expertise.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in bid management and related fields. Attend industry events or join online forums to connect with others who can provide insights or even refer you to opportunities at StudySmarter.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous bid management experiences in detail. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led teams and delivered successful bids, as this will showcase your capability for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Research StudySmarter's recent projects and initiatives. Being knowledgeable about our work will not only impress during interviews but also allow you to tailor your responses to align with our goals and values.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Bid Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in managing and delivering successful bids, particularly in relevant sectors like defence or IT infrastructure. Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills in stakeholder management and bid lifecycle management.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Highlight your interpersonal skills and ability to lead bid teams. Mention any innovative solutions you've implemented in past roles that align with the responsibilities of the Senior Bid Manager position.
Showcase Relevant Experience: When detailing your work history, focus on large, complex bids you've managed. Include metrics or outcomes that showcase your success, such as increased win rates or improved proposal quality. This will help demonstrate your capability to meet the demands of the role.
Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, thoroughly proofread your documents. Check for spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure that your writing is clear and professional. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for a Senior Bid Manager.
How to prepare for a job interview at Thales
✨Showcase Your Bid Management Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience in managing and delivering successful bids. Highlight specific examples from your background in defence, heavy engineering, or IT infrastructure that demonstrate your ability to lead bid teams and produce compelling proposals.
✨Demonstrate Strong Interpersonal Skills
Since the role requires excellent interpersonal skills, be ready to share instances where you've successfully managed relationships with stakeholders. This could include customers, partners, or team members, showcasing your ability to communicate effectively and motivate others.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and how you handle complex situations. Prepare to discuss how you would approach a challenging bid scenario, including how you would bring structure and clarity to the process.
✨Research the Company and Its Projects
Familiarise yourself with Thales and its projects, especially those relevant to the role. Understanding their business model and recent developments will allow you to tailor your responses and show genuine interest in contributing to their success.