Bid Manager

Bid Manager

Crawley Full-Time 43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead major bids and manage multidisciplinary teams in a dynamic environment.
  • Company: Thales UK delivers cutting-edge technology across defence, aerospace, and security sectors.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, half-day Fridays, and 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
  • Why this job: Join a supportive team in a rapidly growing sector with opportunities for career development.
  • Qualifications: Strong bid management skills and experience with multidisciplinary teams are essential.
  • Other info: Candidates must be eligible for SC clearance and have UK residence for the past 5 years.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.

Location: Manor Royal Crawley, United KingdomThales people provide armed forces customers with operational advantage at every decisive moment throughout the mission. Defence and armed forces customers rely on us to deliver the full range of defence mission systems solutions at land, sea, and air. Our platforms extend across the battlespace including Above and Sonar, Electronic Combat, and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance systems.Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us. At Thales UK, we research, develop, and supply technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better, and keep us safer. We innovate across the major industries of Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space. Your health and well-being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

Job title: Senior Bid Manager

Location : Crawley – hybrid working arrangement – 3 days per week on site

Are you an experienced Bid Manager looking to take on a dynamic and pivotal role within a leading global organisation? Thales DMS ISR UK is seeking a talented professional to join our team and lead a variety of new and existing UK and international contract growth opportunities. You will play a key role in managing all aspects of bid delivery, bringing structure, clarity, and governance to the bid process while ensuring effective stakeholder engagement and high-quality business-winning proposals. This is a unique opportunity to apply your commercial awareness, business acumen, and multi-disciplinary leadership skills to maximise Thales\’ position and secure exciting new business.

Core Benefits:

On offer is a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes;

  • 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

  • Key responsibilities:

    Undertake the activities that will ensure the successful delivery of bids. This will typically include (but is not limited to) the following:

  • Provide structure, clarity, and governance to all bid management activities, ensuring rigorous processes and discipline.

  • Lead and manage the preparation, review, and submission of high-quality bid deliverables and proposals.

  • Collaborate closely with Capture Leaders and bid teams to develop compelling win themes aligned with customer needs and Thales’ strengths.

  • Oversee cost estimation and budgeting processes with relevant stakeholders to ensure competitive and winning pricing.

  • Support the Sales/Capture Lead the preparation of business cases, customer presentations, and negotiations.

  • About you:

  • A proven track record of managing successful bids in contexts relevant to Thales (Defence, Heavy Engineering, Manufacturing), ideally in a complex, multidisciplinary, multi-site organisation.

  • Can demonstrate the ability to construct of solutions that meet the markets need both commercially and technically.

  • Full business lifecycle management, including capture, qualification and developing capture plans and winning strategies

  • Extensive client and stakeholder management.

  • Comprehensive understanding of generic processes and techniques used to schedule bid management activities.

  • Comprehensive experience and understanding of the Bid Management process (including Change Control, Risk Management and Information Management).

  • Comprehensive experience and knowledge of the bid life cycle.

  • Experience of working across boundaries, including knowledge of commercial management, finance functions.

  • Has as 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.

    #LI-DNI

    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. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.

    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

    Thales UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Crawley that prioritises employee well-being and career development. With flexible working arrangements, a commitment to diversity and inclusion, and opportunities for professional growth within the defence sector, employees can thrive while contributing to innovative solutions that enhance safety and security globally.
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    Contact Detail:

    Thales Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Bid Manager

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Familiarise yourself with the Gate Bid Lifecycle processes mentioned in the job description. Understanding these processes will help you demonstrate your knowledge during interviews and show that you're ready to hit the ground running.

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Network with professionals in the defence and project management sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with current Bid Managers or those who have experience with Thales. This can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals.

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Prepare to discuss your experience with managing multidisciplinary teams under tight deadlines. Think of specific examples where you successfully led a team through a challenging bid process, as this will be crucial in showcasing your leadership skills.

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Research Thales' recent projects and innovations in the Under Water Systems sector. Being knowledgeable about their work will not only impress your interviewers but also help you align your answers with their strategic goals.

    We think you need these skills to ace Bid Manager

    Bid Management
    Project Management
    Stakeholder Management
    Commercial Awareness
    Risk Mitigation
    Proposal Development
    Team Leadership
    Budget Control
    Technical Requirements Analysis
    Compliance Management
    Oracle and P6 Proficiency
    Communication Skills
    Negotiation Skills
    Time Management
    Problem-Solving Skills

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Understand the Role: Thoroughly read the job description for the Bid Manager position at Thales. Pay attention to the key responsibilities and candidate profile to tailor your application accordingly.

    Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your experience in bid and project management, particularly any success in delivering bids on framework contracts. Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills.

    Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only outlines your qualifications but also shows your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Mention how your values align with Thales' commitment to innovation and diversity.

    Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for a Bid Manager.

    How to prepare for a job interview at Thales

    ✨Understand the Bid Lifecycle

    Familiarise yourself with the Gate Bid Lifecycle processes, as this is crucial for the role. Be prepared to discuss how you have successfully navigated these stages in past projects.

    ✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

    As a Bid Manager, you'll be leading multidisciplinary teams. Highlight your experience in managing teams under tight deadlines and how you foster collaboration and accountability among team members.

    ✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Management

    Prepare examples of how you've built and maintained relationships with customers, suppliers, and partners. This will show your ability to manage expectations and create trust, which is vital for the role.

    ✨Craft Compelling Proposals

    Be ready to discuss your approach to creating proposals that meet customer needs. Share specific examples of successful bids you've led, focusing on how you tailored your proposals to align with client requirements.

    Bid Manager
    Thales
    Location: Crawley
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    • Bid Manager

      Crawley
      Full-Time
      43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.)
    • T

      Thales

      50-100
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