At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead proposal strategy and execution for high-value defence bids.
- Company: Global organisation delivering advanced tech solutions in government sectors.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, potential contract extension, and impactful work.
- Why this job: Shape critical bids that influence long-term defence strategies.
- Qualifications: Experience in senior bid leadership and understanding of defence procurement.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and make a significant impact in the defence sector.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 ÂŁ per year.
We are supporting a global organisation that delivers advanced technology-enabled solutions across government and highly regulated sectors. As they mobilise for a significant Ministry of Defence (MoD) programme, they are seeking an experienced Proposals Director to lead and elevate their proposal strategy and execution across a complex consortium environment. This is a pivotal role at the heart of a major, high-value defence bid, where success will depend on aligning multiple stakeholders, shaping compelling narratives, and ensuring the final submission is truly best-in-class.
The Role: As Proposals Director, you will act as the critical bridge between capture strategy and proposal delivery—ensuring that winning themes are translated into a clear, compliant, and high-scoring submission. You will work across alliance partners, technical teams, and senior stakeholders to challenge thinking, strengthen solutions, and drive quality throughout the bid lifecycle.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide strategic alignment between the capture lead’s win strategy and the proposal team’s execution
- Challenge and refine solutions across technical and consortium stakeholders to ensure alignment with evaluation criteria
- Lead storyboarding and document architecture, ensuring a compelling and logical proposal structure
- Chair and direct Pink, Red, and Gold Team reviews, bringing a clear “buyer perspective” to all feedback
- Act as an escalation point to secure critical resources and subject matter expertise
- Ensure risks are clearly addressed and mitigated within the proposal narrative (commercial, delivery, financial)
- Conduct final quality assurance reviews, ensuring tone, cohesion, and competitive positioning are optimised
- Take full accountability for delivering a compliant, compelling, and high-scoring submission
What We’re Looking For:
- Proven track record operating at Proposals Director / Senior Bid Leadership level on complex, high-value bids
- Experience working within multi-partner / consortium environments
- Strong understanding of public sector and defence procurement processes, ideally within the MoD
- Ability to challenge senior stakeholders constructively and influence at executive level
- Exceptional skills in proposal strategy, review leadership, and narrative development
- A calm, authoritative presence with the ability to bring clarity to complex bid environments
Why This Role:
This is an opportunity to play a mission-critical role on a major MoD programme, shaping a bid that will have long-term strategic impact. The initial contract is for 6 months; however, given the scale and timeline of the procurement (with the ITN phase alone expected to run for several months), there is a strong likelihood of extension. If you’re a seasoned proposals leader who thrives in complex, high-stakes defence bid environments and can bring structure, challenge, and clarity to a consortium effort, please apply.
Proposals Director - Defence employer: psd group
Contact Detail:
psd group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Proposals Director - Defence
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the defence sector and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its recent projects, especially those related to the MoD. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you’re genuinely interested in their work.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! As a Proposals Director, you’ll need to convey complex ideas clearly. Use examples from your past experiences to illustrate how you’ve successfully led proposal strategies.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Proposals Director - Defence
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Proposals Director role. Highlight your experience in leading complex bids and working within consortium environments, as this will show us you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; we want to see your successes! Use specific examples of how you've influenced proposal strategies or improved submission quality in previous roles to really stand out.
Keep It Clear and Concise: We appreciate clarity! Make sure your application is well-structured and easy to read. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the defence sector, and keep your language professional yet approachable.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This way, you’ll ensure your application gets to the right people quickly, and you can easily track your application status!
How to prepare for a job interview at psd group
✨Know Your Proposal Strategy
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the proposal strategy relevant to the defence sector. Familiarise yourself with the specific requirements of the Ministry of Defence and be ready to discuss how you would align capture strategies with proposal execution.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Be prepared to share examples of how you've led teams in high-stakes environments. Highlight your experience in chairing reviews and how you've influenced stakeholders at an executive level. This will demonstrate your capability to manage complex consortiums effectively.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in challenging situations. Think of scenarios where you had to refine solutions or address risks within a proposal narrative. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Emphasise Quality Assurance
Discuss your approach to quality assurance in proposals. Be ready to explain how you ensure compliance and optimise competitive positioning. This is crucial for a role that demands high-scoring submissions, so showcasing your attention to detail will set you apart.