This is an exciting opportunity to lead the delivery of high-value and strategically important bids within a complex and fast-paced environment. As a Senior Bid Manager, you will be responsible for driving the successful development of competitive, high-quality proposals across a range of UK and international opportunities. Working with cross‑functional teams and key stakeholders, you will bring structure, governance, and commercial insight to the bid process, playing a critical role in securing new business and supporting organisational growth.
Thales is a global technology leader with over 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.
Responsibilities
* Lead and manage the end-to-end bid process, ensuring delivery of high-quality, compliant, and competitive proposals
* Provide structure, governance, and clarity to bid activities, ensuring adherence to established processes and controls
* Coordinate and lead multidisciplinary bid teams, driving collaboration and performance to achieve successful outcomes
* Develop and articulate win themes, aligning customer needs with the organisation’s value proposition
* Support commercial strategy through cost validation, pricing alignment, and participation in customer negotiations
Opportunities
* The opportunity to lead and influence high-profile bids with real impact on business growth
* Exposure to a wide range of stakeholders across technical, commercial, finance, and operational teams
* A strategic role driving structured, governance-led bid management processes
* The chance to work on both UK and international business opportunities
* A dynamic environment where you can develop and showcase leadership, commercial, and stakeholder management expertise
Qualifications
* Proven experience in bid management, with a track record of delivering successful bids in complex environments
* Strong commercial, financial, and business acumen, including understanding of pricing and cost structures
* Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills across internal teams, customers, and partners
* Strong leadership capability, with experience managing multidisciplinary teams and driving results
* Excellent communication, organisational, and analytical skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities
Security Clearance
* This role requires Security Clearance (SC). Achieving SC clearance prior to commencement is required.
* Eligibility typically requires residing in the UK for the last five years; a minimum of three years may be accepted with additional overseas checks.
Core Benefits
* Performance-related bonus
* Half‑day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:00 pm
* 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) plus opportunity to buy up to 40 hours per year (pro rata)
* 24‑hour volunteering paid for
* Private healthcare
* Pension scheme
* Life cover
* 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to a mental wellbeing app
* Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
* Gym membership discounts
At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay, and working conditions for all. Private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle‑to‑work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role.
Company Culture & Community
We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features. If this role isn’t quite right for you, we encourage you to join our talent community where your details will be shared with our recruitment teams for other potential opportunities.
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