Bids & Proposals Manager (16 Months Contract - Maternity Leave Replacement)

CAE Inc; Saint-Laurent-de-l'Île-d'Orléans; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible benefits

Pension plan

Employee stock purchase plan

Health and wellness programs

Job summary

CAE Inc. is seeking a Lead Proposal Capture professional to steer Defense & Security bids for CAE Canada. You will guide teams, set proposal schedules, review RFIs/RFPs, and shape competitive bids that leverage CAE core technologies and off‑the‑shelf products.

The role requires shaping Price to Win strategies, cost control with Design to Cost targets, and close collaboration with Business Development, Sales, Pricing, and Engineering. Strong leadership and negotiation skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline or equivalent experience.
• 8–10 years of relevant experience in a high-technology industry.
• Previous experience in government proposal writing.

Responsibilities

• Lead Proposal Capture Teams for Defense & Security, delivering competitive proposals on time and within budget.
• Define bid strategies and communicate milestones, duties, and targets.
• Prepare Basis of Estimate (BoE) and risk mitigation plans.

Skills

Proposal leadership

RFIs/RFPs review

Cost to win/Price to win

Negotiation

Presentation skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Behind every success is a team of dedicated experts driving us forward. Our corporate functions don’t just support — they lead, shaping the company’s path and preparing clients and employees for the moments that matter. Be part of a team where your work makes a difference, with opportunities to grow, collaborate, and thrive.Duties & ResponsibilitiesLead Proposal Capture Teams for Defense and Security (D&S) CAE Canada, providing leadership and guidance to deliver competitive proposals on time and within budget.Establish and communicate proposal schedules with clear milestones, deliverables, and assigned responsibilities to support on-time delivery.Review customer Requests for Information (RFIs) and Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to identify proposal themes, requirements, and CAE differentiators that support the probability of win.Define bid strategies that address customer requirements in a cost-effective manner while leveraging CAE core technologies and off-the-shelf products.Collaborate with Business Development/Sales and Pricing teams to help define Price to Win (PTW) strategies.Collaborate with Engineering to establish Design to Cost (DTC) targets for each module, system, or service and communicate targets across the organization.Prepare and deliver proposal and business presentations to senior management.Promote commonality, consistency, and reuse across bids.Prepare Basis of Estimate (BoE) documentation and comparable analyses to validate estimated costs.Identify and quantify program risks and recommend appropriate mitigation plans.Collaborate with Program Management to develop and challenge program schedules.Negotiate and validate workshare allocations among global CAE sites for joint intercompany proposals.Interface directly and indirectly with customers to review, present, and negotiate proposal content.Conduct peer reviews of estimated costs and proposal deliverables.Define medium- to long-term strategies for future bids, including outsourcing, offshoring, and partnership opportunities.Evaluate tools and process improvements to increase proposal accuracy and efficiency.Minimum QualificationsBachelor's degree in a technical discipline or equivalent experience, combined with previous experience or exposure to one or more of the following: military aircraft, naval vessels, tactical systems, synthetic environments, or modelling and simulation.Minimum of 8–10 years of relevant experience in a high-technology industry.Previous experience in government proposal writing.Previous experience using Salesforce.Excellent communication and presentation skills.Demonstrated organizational skills and business acumen.Results-oriented approach with the ability to work effectively under pressure and meet tight deadlines.Ability to navigate ambiguity and demonstrate customer focus, sound decision-making, and negotiation skills.Ability to obtain and maintain a Canadian Security Clearance and Controlled Goods clearance.Eligibility to work in Canada as a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or holder of a valid Canadian work permit.Preferred QualificationsBilingual proficiency in French and English.Benefits We’ve designed flexible policies to promote well-being and growth, based on role-specific eligibility and requirements:Flexible Group BenefitsPension planEmployee stock purchase planComprehensive health and wellness programsSupportive team and collaborative corporate cultureAbout CAEAt CAE, our mission is clear: to help make the world a safer place. For nearly 80 years, we’ve driven innovation in simulation, training, and mission readiness to support critical operations worldwide. By leveraging advanced technologies, we empower our customers to operate smarter, faster, and more sustainably. Join a purpose-driven organization where bold ideas are encouraged, collaboration drives progress, and your growth fuels our shared success.Position TypeTemporary (Fixed Term)Equal Opportunity & AccommodationsCAE is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants, regardless of race, nationality, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, neurodiversity, veteran status, age, or other characteristics protected by law. We encourage applicants who may not meet every qualification to apply. Reasonable accommodations are available—contact your recruiter or email [e-mail] if needed.Data PrivacyPrivacy Statement | CAEAs part of our process, we may use AI‑supported tools to help review applications, with human decision‑making at every step. CAE thanks all applicants for their interest. However, only those whose background and experience match the requirements of the role will be contacted.