Bid Manager
Location: Crawley or Reading, hybrid working arrangement with 3 days in the office. The role involves travel as needed and preference may be given to individuals who wish to be based out of Crawley.
Are you a motivated Assistant Bid Manager or current Bid Manager eager to grow in the Secure Communications & Information Systems (SIX) sector of Thales?
What the role has to offer
Join us to lead critical bid-management activities and drive the delivery of compelling, winning proposals across naval and/ or land communications
Working with a dynamic team dedicated to supporting your growth, learning, and career advancement
Our Opportunity
Many roles at Thales are subject to security restrictions. This position requires SC Clearance, which is advantageous if already held. If not, the successful applicant must obtain and maintain SC Clearance.
We are seeking a Bid Manager to join our team delivering Integrated Communications equipment across various defence platforms, leading key Bid activities.
As a dynamic professional with expertise in stakeholder management, change control, and commercial insight, you will bring structure, clarity, and strong governance to our bid process while leading a diverse bid team and managing key UK and international customer relationships. You will use your sharp business acumen to maximize Thales’ opportunities and secure new business with impact and confidence.
We welcome applications from Assistant Bid Managers and Bid Managers. Whether you're experienced or new to Bid Management, we’re excited to hear from you. Backgrounds are flexible, bring your passion!
Building a Future, we can all trust.
Thales SIX provides world-leading communications equipment, tactical radios and electronic countermeasure (ECM) solutions to defence and security - Land and Naval customers around the globe.
What we offer you
We offer a competitive salary and benefits package designed to support our employees’ wellbeing and professional growth, which includes:
Performance related annual bonus (VCP)
Pension – match like-for-like up to 7% of annual base salary
Life Assurance – 2 x base salary minimum (8 x salary if part of the pension scheme)
Income Protection – 50% of salary less state benefits for 5 years
Annual Leave – 201 hours, bank holidays, plus 1 company day
Private Medical Insurance - Couples cover
Reduced day every Friday, usually finishing around 1:00pm
24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
24 hours paid leave for volunteering activities
Access to flexible benefits and discounts – dental insurance, buying & selling annual leave, cycle to work, and many more
Key Responsibilities and Tasks
Ensure successful bid delivery by structuring and governing bid management activities, managing prequalification submissions to secure invitations
Lead Bid Kick-Off meetings and subsequent activities
Oversee creation, review, and quality of bid deliverables
Collaborate with Capture Leader to develop compelling win themes
Coordinate cost estimates with Systems Engineering/Product Management for competitive pricing
Prepare Gate Business Cases for specific opportunities
Support Sales/Capture Lead in customer negotiations and presentations
About You
At Thales, we are committed to equal opportunities and welcome all talented individuals to consider joining our team. So even if you don't match every statement below but feel you have some of the experience, knowledge or skills needed for this role, we encourage you to apply. It will take all of us working together to deliver solutions to the world’s most critical challenges.
Proven professional bid management skills gained from working in complex, multidisciplinary, multi-site organisations
Demonstrated ability to lead bid teams and drive solutions to successful completion
Proven success delivering high-quality bids with clear value propositions relevant to Thales
Adaptable to fast-paced, agile Cyber and Consulting environments, able to deliver under pressure
Positive attitude with excellent interpersonal, verbal, written, and proposal writing skills
Skilled in managing internal governance and stakeholder communication
Strong organizational, managerial, and teamwork abilities
Commercial, financial, and business acumen
Effective negotiator with customers, partners, suppliers, and internal teams
Analytical skills for cost variance analysis and financial reporting
Ability to develop commercial and technical solutions tailored to market needs
Expertise in bid scheduling, internal review processes, and proposal management
Experience collaborating across functions, including commercial management and finance
If you’re passionate about making a tangible impact in the Secure Communications & Information Systems sector of Thales and thrive in a fast-paced environment, we want to hear from you!
Security Clearance Statement
This role will require SC Clearance. It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant will undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance. Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance.
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.
For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the National Security Vetting (NSV) Agency - United Kingdom Security Vetting - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
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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. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.
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!