Senior Programme and Bid Manager in London

The Senior Programme & Bid Manager is accountable for the successful leadership, governance, and delivery of a portfolio of complex programmes and bids across the business. The role provides senior oversight of programme execution while leading a matrix bid management model, in which Programme Managers own and lead complex bids from opportunity capture through contract award and into in-life programme delivery. The Senior Programme & Bid Manager is responsible for the preparation and presentation of monthly programme status reports to the Senior Leadership Team (SLT). Develop and maintain robust programme management processes proportionate with the size and needs of the business. Identify and manage programme risks.

Job Functions

• Lead and inspire a team of Programme Managers and a Bid Manager, creating a high performance, accountable delivery culture.
• Own the overall health of the programme and bid portfolio, ensuring alignment to business strategy and customer priorities.
• Balance resources and priorities across live programmes and concurrent bids.
• Ensure robust programme governance, reporting, and control (schedule, cost, risk, change, benefits).
• Own the bid operating model and ensure effective application across all opportunities.
• Oversee bid strategy, resourcing, governance, and approval processes.
• Ensure strong handover from bid to mobilisation and in-life delivery.
• Ensure effective risk, issue, and opportunity management across bids and programmes.
• Establish and maintain reporting to senior leadership and governance forums.
• Ensure compliance with internal processes, regulatory requirements, and customer obligations.
• Drive lessons learned and continuous improvement across the lifecycle.
• Undertake additional project tasks as required.
• Provide Project management resource to Engineering PM team in support of internal development projects, if needed.
• Plan execution of programmes and bids, liaising with customers as necessary to refine detail of requirement.
• Liaise with sub-contractors regarding their part in programme execution.
• Review estimates of programme costs and propose internal budgets for programme execution.
• Manage and control the work of the programme managers.
• Support the Finance business partner in revenue forecasts.
• Lead performance management, succession planning, and talent development.
• Any other tasks associated with this role.

Requirements

• Proven leadership experience in programme and bid management within complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Track record of leading complex bids and major programmes end to end.
• Strong understanding of matrix organisations and multi-disciplinary leadership.
• Excellent commercial, contractual, and risk management capability.
• Strong governance, assurance, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management at senior customer and executive level.
• Willingness to occasionally travel to visit Customer sites in the UK or overseas.
• Confident, credible, and decisive under pressure.
• Collaborative and influential across functions.
• Customer centric with strong commercial awareness.

Experience Required

• Practical experience within a Project Management environment ideally in the defence sector.
• Professional qualifications such as APM, MSP, PMP, PRINCE2, or similar.
• Experience of running Projects and Bids from conception to implementation.
• Experience working with international customers or export contracts.
• Ability to manage and record budgets/spend and provide forecast information.
• Sound customer care skills.

Key Relationships

• Extensive liaison within and outside HENSOLDT UK with customers, suppliers, and collaborators at a senior level.
• Promotes the work of the business.
• Approves recommendations relevant to staff managed: salary, appraisal, promotion, discipline, and grievances within the framework provided by HR.

Qualifications

• HND or degree level within Project management or equivalent experience.
• APM qualified would be advantageous.

Personal Attributes

• Confident forward-thinking can-do attitude with the ability to be flexible and pragmatic.

Employee Compliance

The job holder will be expected to comply with any reasonable operational instruction or procedures relating to Company policies, reporting and controls. Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 provides a duty on every employee, while at work, to take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and of other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work. It also places a duty on employees to cooperate with their employer so far as is necessary to enable their duties to be complied with including the appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Failure to comply with this duty may result in the Company invoking the disciplinary procedure.

Personal & Professional Development

We support your development with structured onboarding, targeted training programs and tailored talent development.

Working Atmosphere

We offer an innovative working atmosphere with modern premises and expert networks.

Health & Prevention

We promote your health with ergonomic workstations, health management and occupational health and safety programs.

Mobility & Sustainability

We promote mobility and sustainability through various and special offers.

Become our next pioneer. Apply now and become part of the HENSOLDT team! HENSOLDT is committed to diversity and an inclusive corporate culture. We therefore welcome all applications - regardless of origin, age, gender, disability, identity or ideology.