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- Tasks: Lead and coordinate bid submissions for major defence projects.
- Company: Top-tier engineering and consultancy firm in the UK defence sector.
- Benefits: Salary up to £60k, health benefits, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Clear career progression in a collaborative, process-driven environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on high-profile defence bids with major clients.
- Qualifications: Experience in bid management and strong project coordination skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 60000 £ per year.
Salary: To £60k + health + wellbeing benefits per year
A high-impact Bid Manager role at the heart of the UK defence sector. You’ll lead major bid and tender submissions for a top-tier engineering and consultancy business, working with government organisations and tier-one defence contractors. Your chance to drive high-profile defence projects, coordinating technical experts, consultants, and business development teams to deliver winning proposals.
As Bid Manager, you will:
- Lead and coordinate bid and tender teams, ensuring submissions are delivered on time, on budget, and fully compliant.
- Manage full bid lifecycle—from early engagement and client information capture, through PQQ, ITT, interviews, and contract award.
- Develop and drive win strategies, identifying customer needs, pricing requirements, and solution opportunities.
- Act as central point of coordination across stakeholders, technical experts, and delivery teams.
- Maintain accurate CRM records and support continuous improvement of bid and tender processes.
This is a hands‑on manager role—you will oversee the full end‑to‑end bid process rather than focus solely on writing content. You’ll thrive in this role if you have:
- Proven experience as a Bid Manager, managing complex bid and tender submissions.
- Project management, stakeholder coordination, and governance skills.
- Excellent commercial awareness and attention to detail.
- Experience within defence, government, regulated or technical sectors would be useful but not necessary.
Work on high-profile defence bids with major UK and international clients, in a collaborative, process‑driven tender environment with clear career progression. Influence bid strategy, processes, and capability development across the business, while enjoying hybrid working across multiple UK locations. If you are a Bid Manager who thrives in a structured environment, coordinating teams to deliver winning proposals, this is your opportunity to make a tangible impact.
Bid Manager - Defence employer: Palmer McCarthy
Contact Detail:
Palmer McCarthy Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Bid Manager - Defence
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the defence sector, attend industry events, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. We can’t stress enough how personal connections can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its recent projects. We recommend practising common bid management scenarios and questions. Show them you know your stuff and can lead teams effectively!
✨Tip Number 3
Tailor your approach for each application. Highlight your experience in managing complex bids and your ability to coordinate teams. We want to see how you can bring value to their specific needs in the defence sector.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Bid Manager - Defence
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Bid Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing complex bids and any relevant project management skills. We want to see how your background aligns with the defence sector, so don’t hold back!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your past successes in bid management and how you’ve coordinated teams to deliver winning proposals.
Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills: In your application, emphasise your ability to coordinate with various stakeholders. We’re looking for someone who can act as a central point of coordination, so share any experiences where you’ve successfully managed relationships and communication across teams.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Palmer McCarthy
✨Know Your Bid Lifecycle
Familiarise yourself with the full bid lifecycle, from early engagement to contract award. Be ready to discuss how you’ve managed each stage in previous roles, as this will show your comprehensive understanding of the process.
✨Highlight Stakeholder Coordination Skills
Prepare examples that showcase your ability to coordinate with various stakeholders. Discuss specific instances where you successfully brought together technical experts and business development teams to deliver a winning proposal.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Awareness
Brush up on current trends in the defence sector and understand the key players involved. Being able to speak knowledgeably about customer needs and pricing strategies will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Experience
Be ready to talk about your project management skills, especially in relation to managing complex bids. Use concrete examples to illustrate how you’ve kept projects on track and ensured compliance with all requirements.