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- Tasks: Lead complex bid strategies and drive growth in the Defence sector.
- Company: VIVO Defence Services, a joint venture between Serco and EQUANS.
- Benefits: Attractive salary, bonus up to 20%, car allowance, and private medical.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while supporting the UK military.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in leading bid strategies and strong understanding of the Defence landscape.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for professional development and mentorship.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
VIVO provides facilities management and accommodation maintenance for the UK military and its partners. VIVO embodies both experience and innovation.
We put our Customers and Families First. They are the driving force behind everything we do. We drive forward improvements for them to ensure the service they receive, whether reactive repairs or a major project, is completed safely and on time. In order to achieve this, we have 4 core values: open, caring, agile and collaborative. These are at the heart of everything we do.
Location - Hybrid working covering - Central and Southern England
Salary - Attractive Director-level salary commensurate with experience
Benefits - Bonus up to 20%, car or car allowance & private medical (self & partner)
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Bid Director to play a critical leadership role in driving the sustainable and profitable growth of VIVO's portfolio. Reporting to the Strategy & Growth Director, this position will lead the organisation's most complex, high-value strategic opportunities, typically of Investment Committee complexity, while also contributing to other priority pursuits as required.
Working in close collaboration with Business Managers, Commercial, Legal, Business Unit Delivery Leads, Project & Programme Management, Corporate Shared Services, and Bidding Services, you will provide end-to-end leadership across the bid lifecycle. You will shape and execute winning capture strategies, prioritise resources effectively, and ensure disciplined, high-quality bid governance that strengthens VIVO's position within the Defence marketplace.
This is a high-profile role requiring strong leadership presence, deep market insight, and the ability to influence and engage credibly with senior internal stakeholders, MOD customers, and strategic partners.
About You
We are looking for a proven bid and growth leader with a strong track record of delivering profitable growth within the Defence sector. You will bring a deep understanding of the Defence landscape, including MOD customers, government departments, and strategic partners, alongside demonstrable experience of leading complex bid strategies from opportunity identification through to contract award and mobilisation.
Commercially astute and values-led, you operate confidently in complex, fast-paced environments. You are able to balance strategic thinking with hands-on leadership when required, bringing sound financial awareness, strong judgement, and the ability to translate complex information into clear, compelling recommendations for senior stakeholders. With exceptional relationship-building and influencing skills, you inspire confidence through calm, credible communication. Resilient and adaptable, you thrive under ambiguity and tight timelines while modelling integrity, collaboration, and professionalism.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Bid & Capture Leadership
- Lead VIVO's largest, most complex and strategically critical bid opportunities, while contributing to other priority pursuits as required.
- Develop and execute robust capture and bid strategies aligned to customer needs, market conditions, and VIVO's growth objectives.
- Prepare strategic action plans, ROIs, pricing strategies, and risk assessments to support informed leadership decision-making.
- Provide clear oversight and reporting on priority pursuits and pipeline performance to executive leadership.
- Customer, Market & Competitive Insight
- Lead engagement with customers and internal stakeholders to identify, validate, and document customer requirements, decision drivers, risks, and opportunities.
- Apply customer insight, market intelligence, and competitive analysis to shape compelling and differentiated bid strategies, including low-price, technically competent environments.
- Identify competitive threats and assess relative strengths to inform bid positioning, pricing approaches, and leadership judgement.
- Identify, negotiate, and leverage teaming and partnering arrangements to strengthen bid solutions.
- Bid Governance & Proposal Delivery
- Own the quality and governance of bids through all phases of the bid lifecycle, ensuring compliance, consistency, and alignment to win strategy.
- Prepare and present high-quality pursue/no-pursue and bid/no-bid recommendations, market briefs, and strategic account plans to senior leadership and executive management.
- Ensure winning technical, management, commercial, pricing, and past performance solutions are developed and integrated effectively within proposals.
- Provide senior-level oversight and challenge during proposal development and formal review stages.
- Leadership, Collaboration & Capability Building
- Build strong, collaborative relationships across Business Units and support functions to prioritise resources and deliver successful bid outcomes.
- Develop and maintain a broad internal and external network across customers, partners, and industry to identify and qualify future opportunities.
- Mentor and support bid and capture professionals, strengthening capability in win strategy, competitive assessment, and pricing disciplines.
- Drive continuous improvement in capture and bid management processes, promoting consistency, knowledge sharing, and best practice.
Person Specification
Experience
- Proven experience leading large, complex bid strategies from identification through to contract award and mobilisation.
- Demonstrable success in developing and executing profitable growth plans within the Defence sector.
- Established relationships with MOD, government departments, and key industry partners.
- Track record of improving financial performance through effective work-winning and business development activity.
- Experience operating successfully within large, complex organisations under tight timelines and ambiguity.
Skills & Capabilities
- Agile and credible leadership style, with the ability to influence and drive outcomes in complex environments.
- Strong commercial and financial acumen, with sound judgement and decision-making capability.
- Excellent analytical and communication skills, able to distil complex information into clear, actionable insight.
- Strategic thinker with a pragmatic, delivery-focused approach when required.
- Highly collaborative, values-led team player who builds trust and accountability across diverse stakeholder groups.
Knowledge & Qualifications
- Strong understanding of the Defence landscape and public-sector procurement processes.
- In-depth knowledge of bid governance, capture management, competitive assessment, and pricing strategy.
- Evidence of continuous professional development in bid management, commercial leadership, or related disciplines.
Additional Information
- Flexibility to travel as required.
- Security Clearance at SC level may be required for this role.
At VIVO, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. Therefore, we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working and operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas. We are proudly a Disability Confident Leader. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview.
Bid Director employer: VIVO Defence
Contact Detail:
VIVO Defence Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Bid Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the Defence sector and let them know you're on the hunt for a Bid Director role. A personal recommendation can go a long way in landing that interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching VIVO and its competitors. Understand their core values and recent projects, so you can show how your experience aligns with their mission of putting customers first.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your bid leadership experience and how you've driven profitable growth in previous roles. Confidence is key, so rehearse until it feels natural.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining the VIVO team.
We think you need these skills to ace Bid Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Bid Director role. Highlight your experience in leading complex bid strategies and your understanding of the Defence sector. We want to see how your skills align with our core values!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for VIVO. Share specific examples of your past successes in bid management and how you can contribute to our mission of putting customers first.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Bid Director, strong leadership is key. In your application, emphasise your ability to influence and engage with senior stakeholders. We love candidates who can demonstrate calm and credible communication under pressure!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at VIVO Defence
✨Know Your Bid Strategy Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand VIVO's approach to bid strategies. Familiarise yourself with their core values and how they align with your own experiences in the Defence sector. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully led complex bids in the past.
✨Showcase Your Market Insight
Demonstrate your deep understanding of the Defence landscape during the interview. Prepare to discuss current trends, challenges, and opportunities within the sector. This will not only show your expertise but also your ability to apply market intelligence to shape winning bid strategies.
✨Build Rapport with Stakeholders
VIVO values collaboration, so be prepared to talk about how you've built strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders in previous roles. Share examples of how you've influenced decision-making and engaged with senior leaders to drive successful outcomes.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and leadership style. Think of situations where you've had to navigate ambiguity or tight timelines, and be ready to explain your thought process and the results you achieved. This will highlight your resilience and adaptability.
