At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex bids in the UK defence sector and manage the entire bid lifecycle.
- Company: Established UK engineering manufacturer with a strong presence in defence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, 10% pension contribution, and excellent benefits.
- Other info: Opportunity for long-term career progression in a stable and ambitious business.
- Why this job: Join a growing team and make an impact on critical defence projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in bid management within the UK defence sector and strong project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Mercury Hampton is exclusively retained on behalf of a highly successful UK engineering manufacturer operating within the defence sector. Our client is an established, financially strong business with decades of experience delivering highly engineered solutions into some of the world's most demanding and safety-critical environments. Continued investment, sustained growth and a healthy long-term order book have created an opportunity for an experienced Bid Manager to join their commercial team.
This is an excellent opportunity to play a pivotal role within a growing organisation, leading complex bids that support strategically important UK and international defence programmes while working alongside engineering, commercial and operational teams.
The Role
You will take ownership of the complete bid lifecycle, managing multiple high-value opportunities from qualification through to submission and contract handover. Working closely with Business Development, Engineering, Commercial, Finance and Operations, you will ensure every submission is commercially competitive, technically robust and fully compliant with customer requirements. This position offers significant autonomy and influence, allowing you to help shape bid strategy, improve processes and contribute directly to future business growth.
Key responsibilities include:
- Managing the complete end-to-end bid process
- Coordinating multidisciplinary bid teams across engineering, commercial and operational functions
- Developing bid strategies for complex engineering opportunities
- Producing compelling, compliant and commercially competitive proposals
- Managing pricing, commercial approvals and contractual documentation
- Coordinating customer clarification activities throughout the tender process
- Maintaining bid documentation, content libraries and proposal templates
- Driving continuous improvement through lessons learned and bid performance analysis
- Supporting the implementation of modern bid management tools and best practice methodologies
The Person
We are seeking an experienced Bid Manager with a proven track record of delivering successful bids within the UK defence sector. You'll be comfortable managing complex opportunities involving multiple stakeholders and be capable of translating technical information into clear, compelling customer proposals. You will ideally possess:
- Previous Bid or Proposal Management experience within UK defence
- Experience managing complex engineering or manufacturing tenders
- Strong knowledge of defence procurement and competitive tender processes
- Excellent project management and stakeholder engagement skills
- Commercial awareness with experience of pricing and contractual documentation
- Outstanding written communication and proposal development ability
- A structured, organised and detail-oriented approach
- Experience with recognised bid management methodologies would be advantageous
- Eligibility to obtain UK Security Clearance (or existing clearance)
The Opportunity
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a growing engineering business supplying critical projects within the defence sector. The successful candidate will receive:
- Salary circa £70,000
- 10% employer pension contribution
- Hybrid working
- Excellent benefits package
- Long-term career progression
- Opportunity to work on technically challenging, high-value engineering programmes
- Stable business with continued investment and ambitious growth plans
If you're an experienced Bid Manager looking for your next challenge within the UK defence industry, we'd love to hear from you. Please click Apply or contact Mercury Hampton for a confidential discussion. We aim to respond to all successful applicants within two working days.
Bid Manager - UK Defence in London employer: Mercury Hampton
Join a dynamic and supportive team at our well-established structural and civil engineering consultancy in Appley Bridge, Wigan, where we prioritise employee growth and development. Enjoy a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance, alongside competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits that reflect our commitment to your professional journey. With a culture that values innovation and collaboration, you'll find meaningful opportunities to make an impact while advancing your career in a thriving environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Bid Manager - UK Defence in London
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Bid Manager - UK Defence role you’re after at Mercury Hampton.
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✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at Mercury Hampton.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
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We think you need these skills to ace Bid Manager - UK Defence in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Bid Manager - UK Defence, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at Mercury Hampton a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to Mercury Hampton specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Mercury Hampton
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Mercury Hampton, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like Mercury Hampton want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
