Bid Manager in Cheadle

Location: Cheadle, United Kingdom

Thales 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.

UWS (Under Water Systems) is entering an exciting phase of rapid growth, driven by the success of our programmes and our expanding portfolio of world‑leading products across both conventional maritime systems and emerging technologies such as maritime autonomy. As our pipeline of strategic opportunities continues to increase, we are now seeking an experienced Bid Manager - ideally with a background in the defence or heavy engineering sectors - to lead high‑profile, business‑critical bids that will shape the long‑term direction of UWS and Thales. Joining an established, collaborative team, you will play a key role in one of the most dynamic and innovative areas of our business.

Core Benefits

• On offer is a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes:
• Performance-related bonus
• Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:00
• 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 (grade dependent)
• 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

• Lead end‑to‑end ownership of complex, high‑value bids, ensuring clear delivery focus, strong governance and proactive risk/opportunity management.
• Drive bid planning, creating and managing schedules, resource plans and baselines to keep multidisciplinary teams aligned and on track.
• Manage requirements and compliance, ensuring full traceability, accurate estimating and consistent assumptions across all bid artefacts.
• Shape high‑quality proposals, coordinating content development, colour reviews and compelling responses that align with customer priorities.
• Build trusted relationships with customers, partners and suppliers, representing the bid with confidence and maintaining open communication.
• Ensure financial robustness, controlling bid budgets and supporting a positive cash profile through strong initial project planning.

About you

• Proven success in delivering complex bids, ideally within defence or heavy engineering/manufacturing environments.
• Strong experience leading multidisciplinary teams to meet challenging deadlines, with a proactive approach to managing risks and opportunities.
• Skilled in building effective relationships with internal stakeholders, customers, suppliers and partners.
• Ability to develop clear, compelling proposals and solutions that align with customer needs.
• Familiarity with bid governance and stage‑gate lifecycle processes, ensuring reviews are applied effectively and business risks are well managed.

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 Security Clearance (SC). 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. 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!