At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire teams to deliver complex programmes and bids in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join a leading organisation focused on programme excellence and strategic delivery.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and opportunities for international travel.
- Other info: Exciting role with opportunities for continuous improvement and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving successful programme execution and governance.
- Qualifications: Experience in programme management and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 70000 € per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Programme & Bid Manager to lead the delivery and governance of a portfolio of complex programmes and bids within a highly technical, multi-stakeholder environment. This role is responsible for driving programme excellence while overseeing a matrix bid management model, where Programme Managers lead bids from initial opportunity through to contract award and into full lifecycle delivery. You will play a key leadership role, ensuring successful programme execution, robust governance, and alignment with strategic business objectives.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of Programme Managers and Bid professionals, fostering a high-performance culture
- Own the overall health and performance of the programme and bid portfolio
- Ensure alignment of programmes and bids with business strategy and customer priorities
- Balance resources effectively across live programmes and concurrent bids
- Establish and maintain robust governance frameworks covering schedule, cost, risk, and change control
- Oversee bid strategy, planning, resourcing, and approval processes
- Ensure seamless transition from bid phase to programme mobilisation and delivery
- Manage risks, issues, and opportunities across all programmes and bids
- Provide clear and structured reporting to senior leadership and governance forums
- Ensure compliance with internal procedures, regulatory requirements, and contractual obligations
- Drive continuous improvement and lessons learned across the full lifecycle
- Support financial planning, including revenue forecasting and budget control
- Collaborate with engineering and project teams to support internal development initiatives when required
- Engage with customers and subcontractors to refine programme requirements and delivery plans
- Lead performance management, succession planning, and talent development within the team
Requirements
- Proven experience leading programme and bid management functions in complex environments
- Demonstrated success delivering major programmes and complex bids end-to-end
- Strong understanding of matrix organisations and cross-functional leadership
- Excellent commercial, contractual, and risk management expertise
- Strong governance, decision-making, and assurance capabilities
- Exceptional stakeholder management skills, including engagement at senior and executive levels
- Willingness to travel occasionally within the UK and internationally
- Confident, decisive, and able to perform under pressure
- Collaborative mindset with strong influencing skills
- Customer-focused with strong commercial awareness
Experience
- Experience within a project/programme management environment, ideally within the defence or similarly regulated sector
- Professional certifications such as APM, PRINCE2, MSP, or PMP (or equivalent)
- Proven experience managing bids and programmes from concept through to delivery
- Experience working with international customers or export contracts
- Strong financial management skills, including budgeting and forecasting
- Excellent customer relationship management skills
For more information, reach out to Chris at TEC Partners.
Senior Programme and Bid Manager in Bedford employer: TEC Partners - Technical Recruitment Specialists
Join a dynamic and innovative team in Enfield, where we prioritise employee growth and development through mentorship and a high-performance culture. As a Senior Programme & Bid Manager, you will not only lead complex programmes but also enjoy a supportive work environment that values collaboration and continuous improvement, all while being part of a company committed to excellence in the defence sector.
Contact Detail:
TEC Partners - Technical Recruitment Specialists Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Programme and Bid Manager in Bedford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant online groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues or mentors. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their values and how they align with your experience. Practice common interview questions and think about how you can showcase your leadership skills and programme management expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. Use this opportunity to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and highlight any key points from the conversation that you feel strongly about.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of exciting opportunities waiting for you. Plus, applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates. So, get your application in and let’s get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Programme and Bid Manager in Bedford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Programme & Bid Manager role. Highlight your experience in leading complex programmes and managing bids, as well as any relevant certifications you have. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
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 programme and bid management, and don’t forget to mention your leadership style. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills:In your application, make sure to highlight your exceptional stakeholder management skills. We’re looking for someone who can engage effectively at all levels, so share examples of how you've successfully navigated complex environments and built strong relationships.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to submit all your documents in one go. Plus, it helps us keep track of your application better!
How to prepare for a job interview at TEC Partners - Technical Recruitment Specialists
✨Know Your Programmes Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of programme and bid management. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities outlined in the job description, such as governance frameworks and risk management. This will help you demonstrate your understanding of the role and how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Programme & Bid Manager, you'll need to lead and inspire a team. Prepare examples from your past where you've successfully mentored or managed teams. Highlight how you fostered a high-performance culture and drove programme excellence, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in complex environments. Think of scenarios where you've had to balance resources across multiple bids or manage risks effectively. Practising these responses will help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Stakeholder management is crucial for this role. Be ready to discuss how you've engaged with senior leadership and external partners in previous roles. Share specific examples of how you’ve navigated challenges and built strong relationships, as this will showcase your customer-focused mindset and commercial awareness.
