Bid and Project Manager

TN United Kingdom; Crawley; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Bid and Project Manager to oversee high-value projects in a dynamic and innovative environment. This role involves managing the entire project lifecycle, from bid management to successful delivery, while ensuring effective communication with stakeholders. The company emphasizes career development and offers flexible working options, making it an attractive place for professionals looking to make a significant impact in the defence sector. Join a team that values innovation and collaboration, and contribute to projects that enhance security and technology.

Benefits

Performance-related bonus

Half day every Friday

Pension scheme

28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays

Life cover

24/7 Employee Assistance Program

Employee discounts

Gym membership discounts

Paid volunteering (24 hours)

Private healthcare

Qualifications

• Experience managing projects over £50m in a defence environment.
• Proven ability to coach project teams and manage complex projects.

Responsibilities

• Ensure successful delivery of complex projects and manage stakeholder communication.
• Drive quality and cost performance through collaboration.

Skills

Project Management

Stakeholder Negotiation

Risk Management

Change Control

Project Scheduling

Education

Degree in Project Management or related field

Tools

Oracle

Primavera

Job description

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Location: Crawley, United Kingdom

Thales people architect solutions at the heart of the defence-security continuum. We develop interoperable and secure information and telecommunications systems for defence, security, and civil operators, based on innovative radiocommunications, networks, and cybersecurity. Our work includes groundbreaking digital technologies such as 4G mobile communications, cryptography, cloud computing, and big data used in physical protection systems and critical information systems.

We offer excellent opportunities for employees to learn, develop, and advance their careers. At Thales UK, we research, develop, and supply technology and services that impact millions daily, making life better and safer. Our innovation spans five major industries: Aerospace, Defence, Ground Transportation, Security, and Space. We prioritize your health and well-being, offering flexible working options such as part-time hours, job sharing, home working, and flexible start and finish times.

Bid and Project Manager

Location: Crawley, hybrid working (3 days in the office)

Security clearance requirements: UK Eyes Only (only British nationals)

Thales SIX provides world-leading tactical radio and electronic countermeasure (ECM) solutions globally. We seek a Bid and Project Manager to join our expanding team. This role involves managing the full spectrum of bid and project management, including overseeing Land projects from contract award to delivery and supporting bid activities to foster growth.

You will manage complex, high-value projects for UK and international clients, ensuring effective stakeholder communication, applying best practices, and identifying project strengths and weaknesses. You will also coach and support less experienced project managers.

Support and development will be provided by our team of specialists and experts in Land Communication and Bid & Project Management.

What can we offer you?

• Performance-related bonus
• Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:00
• Pension scheme
• 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• Life cover
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and mental wellbeing app
• Employee discounts on major brands
• Gym membership discounts
• Paid volunteering (24 hours)
• Private healthcare (grade dependent)

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

Ensure successful delivery of complex projects, including:

• Achieving key results and performance metrics such as order intake, sales, gross margin, and cash flow
• Creating initial project plans during bid or demand phases, including requirements, work definition, estimation, and scheduling with milestones and resources
• Supporting bid management activities to drive growth, including shaping solutions, estimating, managing bids, and proposals
• Applying project governance processes to control risks
• Maintaining business planning and reporting in line with directives (PMR, BOR, OTD)
• Driving quality, cost, and delivery performance through cross-functional collaboration
• Managing stakeholders and ensuring effective communication
• Managing risks and opportunities with a robust project plan
• Maintaining data integrity in financial and scheduling tools like Oracle and Primavera
• Applying lessons learned to all projects
• Performing ad-hoc duties as necessary for business needs

Skills and Experience Required

• Experience managing high-value projects (circa £50m+) in a complex, multidisciplinary, multi-site defence environment
• Proven ability to manage and coach project teams
• Full lifecycle project management experience, including capture, qualification, and strategy development
• Understanding of project scheduling techniques (WBS, OBS, milestones, dependencies, EVM)
• Strong knowledge of project management processes (Change Control, Risk Management, Information Management)
• Excellent stakeholder negotiation skills

#LI-DNI

Candidates must provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK, and employment/education history for up to three years. Some roles may require full Security Clearance, with further evidence needed. For details, refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.

Thales offers careers, not just jobs. With 80,000 employees across 68 countries, our mobility policy supports career development worldwide. We embrace flexible working to promote a smarter way of working.

We are committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment. Reasonable adjustments and support are available for neuro-diverse applicants or those with disabilities or long-term conditions. To request adjustments or for questions, contact Resourcing Ops (mid to senior roles) or the Early Careers Team (graduates and apprentices).

Great journeys start here, apply now!