We’re supporting a major player in the Defence and National Security space in the search for an experienced Capture Manager / Bid Lead to join their high-performing UK Pursuit & Bids function. This role suits someone who thrives on pressure — driving strategic pursuits from identification through to award — balancing client engagement, internal leadership, and commercial sharpness. You’ll lead end-to-end capture activity across multi-million-pound programmes in areas such as MoD, policing, homeland security, and wider central government. The environment is fast-moving, stakeholder-heavy, and demands the ability to think strategically while executing tactically. Key Responsibilities: Define and drive capture strategies that directly shape client decision-making. Engage senior stakeholders and decision-makers to understand drivers, challenges, and win themes. Lead multi-disciplinary pursuit teams to deliver compliant, compelling, and commercially sound proposals. Develop business cases and win strategies aligned to internal objectives and client evaluation criteria. Build and coordinate an industry team or supply chain that strengthens technical credibility and delivery assurance. Maintain executive engagement throughout the bid lifecycle and ensure seamless handover post-award. You’ll need: Proven experience leading UK public sector captures (typically £20m), ideally within Defence, Security, or Critical Infrastructure domains. Strong stakeholder management and negotiation skills — comfortable influencing at C-suite and senior government level. A track record of winning large-scale, complex service contracts. Excellent commercial acumen, leadership capability, and written/oral communication. The ability to work under pressure, coordinate multiple pursuits, and travel across the UK as required. Current SC clearance (mandatory due to programme environments). Competitive salary and benefits package available — contact me in confidence to discuss further.