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- Tasks: Lead bid management activities and create high-quality proposals for exciting projects.
- Company: Join Thales, a global leader in defence and technology with a supportive team.
- Benefits: Enjoy a performance bonus, half-day Fridays, 28 days leave, and private healthcare.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in cutting-edge technologies while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in project bids, strong negotiation skills, and understanding of bid management processes.
- Other info: Flexible working, inclusive culture, and opportunities for career growth across 68 countries.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Glasgow, United Kingdom
Bid Manager / Senior Bid Manager
Location Glasgow (Hybrid working – 3 days per week on site)
Are you looking for an exciting opportunity where you can really make a difference by working on cutting edge, evolving technologies? Do you want to work with a highly regarded team who will support your learning and development? Then look no further… We have an exciting new opportunity available in Thales Optronics and Missile Electronic (OME) as a Bid Manager / Senior Bid Manager.
As a Bid Manager, you will be in charge of specific bid-management activities to ensure the successful delivery of a bid or a number of bids. You will bring structure, clarity and governance to the process and discipline relating to bid management activities as well as manage the preparation of the prequalification response submissions to customers with the objective to securing an invitation to bid.
Core Benefits
- Performance-related bonus
- Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:00pm
- 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) plus opportunity to buy up to 40 hours/year (pro rata)
- 24 hours volunteering paid for
- Private healthcare
- Pension scheme
- Life cover
- 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app
- Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
- Gym membership discounts
What does the job involve?
- Participate in Bid Kick-Off meetings, providing bid management direction and engagement with the Bid Team.
- Manage the creation of the bid deliverables and ensuring review and governance, leading to the creation of a high quality proposal.
- Work effectively with Capture Leader to generate win themes that link customer needs with defined benefits of the Thales offering.
- Ensure that cost estimates / target budgets are provided with support of Systems Engineering / Product Management.
- Ensure that cost estimates are effectively reviewed to ensure competitive and winning pricing.
- Ensure that effective Gate Business Cases are prepared for specific opportunities.
- Support the Sales/Capture Lead in any customer negotiations and presentations.
What are we looking for?
- A proven track record of delivering successful project (not product) bids in contexts relevant to Thales – defence, heavy engineering, manufacturing or construction sectors.
- Experience delivering bids to the value of £5-60 million minimum.
- Ideally experience of single source government bidding (for repeat business).
- Strong negotiation skills with the ability to deal with customers, partners, suppliers and other parts of the business (stakeholder management skills).
- Comprehensive experience and understanding of the Bid Management process (including Change Control, Risk Management and Information Management).
- A minimum a working knowledge of industry standard approaches to bid management (such as Shipley Capture Bench).
Security Clearance statement
Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires you to be a UK National and achieve Security Clearance (SC) without any caveats. It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment.
If approved by the MOD, a dual national from a Non-ITAR country may be considered. Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance. To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years’ residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.
In line with Thales' Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided.
At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working.
Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process. To request an adjustment, if you need this job advert in an alternative format or if you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Resourcing Ops for mid to senior roles, or the Early Careers Team for graduate and apprentice roles.
Great journeys start here, apply now!
Bid Manager employer: Thales
Contact Detail:
Thales Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Bid Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and understanding their bid management processes. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in defence and engineering sectors.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Bid Manager, you'll need to demonstrate strong stakeholder management. Role-play scenarios with friends or mentors to build confidence before the real deal.
✨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 Bid Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Bid Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in delivering successful bids, especially in defence or engineering sectors, to show us you’re the right fit!
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to emphasise your negotiation skills and understanding of the bid management process. We want to see how you can bring structure and clarity to our team, so give us examples of your past successes!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and experiences quickly.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Thales
✨Know Your Bids
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the bid management process, especially in contexts relevant to Thales. Brush up on your knowledge of Change Control, Risk Management, and Information Management, as these will likely come up during your interview.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed bids, particularly in the defence, heavy engineering, or construction sectors. Highlight any projects valued between £5-60 million to demonstrate your capability.
✨Engage with the Team
During the interview, express your enthusiasm for working collaboratively with the Bid Team and Capture Leader. Discuss how you can contribute to generating win themes that align customer needs with Thales' offerings.
✨Prepare for Negotiations
Since strong negotiation skills are crucial for this role, think about scenarios where you've successfully negotiated with customers or stakeholders. Be ready to discuss your approach and how you handle challenging conversations.