At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development and submission of high-quality bids for law enforcement and defence sectors.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at a leading company focused on global business growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, remote work options, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Work in a collaborative environment with excellent career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a crucial sector while honing your project management skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing complex bids and understanding international procurement processes.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 85000 £ per year.
Our success depends on our people and we aim to attract, recruit and retain the most talented individuals to help take our exciting growth story forward.
Purpose of Position
Reporting to the VP of Sales, the Bid Manager is responsible for leading the development, coordination, and submission of high‑quality commercial proposals that support global business growth in the law enforcement and defense sector. This role is fully focused on end‑to‑end bid management, ensuring all proposals are compliant, competitive, and aligned with corporate strategy and customer requirements. The position is based in the UK and operates remotely in close coordination with the Cleveland‑based commercial team. Success in this role requires deep experience with international government procurement processes, including defense acquisition regulations, public sector compliance, and security‑sensitive contracting environments.
Essential Duties and/or Functions
- Lead the full lifecycle of bids and proposals, including RFIs, RFPs, RFQs, ITBs, and unsolicited submissions for global law enforcement and defense customers.
- Conduct Bid/No‑Bid assessments, ensuring strategic alignment, risk evaluation, and resource readiness.
- Own the development of compliant, high‑quality proposal submissions, ensuring alignment with customer requirements and evaluation criteria.
- Manage internal review and approval processes, including coordination of executive sign‑off where required.
- Analyze tender documentation and translate requirements into structured, effective responses.
- Plan and lead bid kick‑offs, establishing timelines, deliverables, and clear ownership across stakeholders.
- Coordinate cross‑functional inputs from Legal, Finance, Product, and Sales to ensure complete and accurate submissions.
- Oversee final proposal production, ensuring consistency, compliance, and on‑time delivery.
- Maintain bid schedules, ensuring strict adherence to all milestones and submission deadlines.
- Lead post‑submission reviews to capture lessons learned and improve win rates.
Government & Defense Compliance
- Ensure all bids comply with relevant international procurement regulations and frameworks, including EU Public Procurement Directives, NATO and multilateral procurement standards (e.g., UN, Interpol), Canadian PSPC / Controlled Goods Program; U.S. FAR/DFARS.
- Partner with Legal to review contractual terms, identify risks (e.g., export controls, ITAR), and support negotiation positions.
- Ensure proposals address technical, operational, and contractual requirements specific to defense and public safety customers.
Bid Governance & Content
- Maintain and continuously improve a centralized library of approved proposal content, including standard responses, certifications, and compliance documentation.
- Drive consistency and quality across all bid submissions through standardized templates and best practices.
- Support the continuous improvement of bid processes, tools, and governance to increase efficiency and win probability.
Qualifications & Experience
- Proven experience managing complex bids/proposals within defense, law enforcement, or government contracting environments.
- Strong understanding of international procurement processes and compliance frameworks (FAR/DFARS, EU directives, NATO, etc.).
- Experience with structured bid methodologies and governance (including Bid/No‑Bid and approval processes).
- Working proficiency in Shipley Associates capture planning and proposal writing would be desirable.
- Strong knowledge of commercial, legal, and financial considerations in public sector bids.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent bids in high‑pressure, deadline‑driven environments.
- Excellent project management, organizational, and stakeholder coordination skills.
- Strong written communication skills, with the ability to develop clear, compelling proposal content.
- English is a must; Spanish would be an asset.
- Experience working across global teams in complex, multi‑stakeholder environments.
- Familiarity with proposal management tools and CRM systems is beneficial.
Key Attributes
- Highly detail‑oriented with strong quality standards.
- Structured and process‑driven, with strong ownership of deadlines.
- Effective communicator with the ability to influence cross‑functional teams.
- Adaptable and able to operate across time zones in a global organization.
The anticipated salary range for candidates who will work in Melksham, UK is £70,000 to £85,000 annually.
Bid Manager employer: Avon Protection
At Avon Protection, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. Located in Melksham, our team enjoys competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and ample opportunities for professional growth, all while contributing to life-saving technologies that protect those who serve. Join us to be part of a mission-driven organisation where your skills will make a meaningful impact.
