We're supporting a major player in the Defence and National Security space in the search for an experienced Capture Manager / Pursuit 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.
JBRP1_UKTJ