Bid Manager

BAE Systems; London; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense contractor in London seeks a Bid Manager to lead and deliver high-quality bid responses across the full lifecycle. Responsibilities include managing the bid process, establishing the bid team, and ensuring compliance with standards. The ideal candidate will have experience in bidding environments and strong communication skills. Up to £51,000 salary with a comprehensive benefits package including flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Enhanced annual leave allowance

Flexible working arrangements

Employee assistance programme

Qualifications

• Experience in business winning and bidding environments.
• Strong communication skills with internal and external stakeholders.
• Willingness to learn and develop in a business winning environment.
• Proficiency with bid management toolsets.
• Knowledge of current bid best-practice techniques.

Responsibilities

• Manage the bid process and create the bid plan.
• Establish the bid team and bidding environment.
• Ensure governance and mandated reporting policies are adhered to.
• Derive the bid budget; monitor costs and resources.
• Identify, assess and manage risks to the bid’s success.

Skills

Experience in business winning and bidding environments

Strong communication skills

Proficiency with bid management toolsets

Knowledge of current bid best-practice techniques

Education

APMP qualification

Job description

Overview

This role is a Bid Manager responsible for leading and delivering high-quality, competitive bid responses across the full bid lifecycle, from opportunity qualification through to closure. You will develop and execute the bid and assurance plan, coordinate the creation of compelling submission content, and ensure all deliverables meet quality and compliance standards. You will also provide guidance and coaching on bidding best practices across the organisation.

Responsibilities

• Manage the bid process, including creation of the bid plan, tracking progress, setting up reviews, and providing background material to reviewers.
• Establish the bid team and bidding environment, including Project Share.
• Ensure governance (Assurance Framework and other review mechanisms) and mandated reporting policies are adhered to, plus other best-practice reviews as required (e.g., Shipley colour).
• Derive the bid budget; monitor costs, timescales and resources used, and take action when they deviate from the plan or contingency.
• Identify, assess and manage risks to the bid’s success and take action with appropriate management support.
• Take ownership of the customer proposal/formal response, managing structure, ensuring inputs are received, and owning the editing and formatting of the final content.
• Close down of the bid project at the end, including personal performance reviews, lessons learned, and harvesting of reusable collateral (e.g., improved propositions, updated processes, reusable modules).
• Lead the development and execution of the bid and assurance plan; coordinate the creation of compelling submission content; ensure all deliverables meet quality and compliance standards; oversee management and delivery of high-quality bid responses across the full bid lifecycle.
• Provide guidance and coaching on bidding best practices to colleagues across the business to build capability and strengthen the organisation’s ability to bid successfully.

Qualifications

• Experience in business winning and bidding environments.
• Strong communication skills with internal and external stakeholders.
• Willingness to learn and develop within a business winning environment.
• Proficiency with bid management toolsets.
• Knowledge of current bid best-practice techniques.
• Foundational understanding of bid management or a related specialist area.

Desirable

• APMP qualification.

Important Notice

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must at minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting, typically with 5 to 10 years of continuous UK residency depending on the vetting level. This note is intended to explain vetting considerations and eligibility.

There’s no limit to where your career at BAE Systems in the UK could take you. When you join us, you’ll be part of something bigger and contribute across a range of environments – from air, land, sea, cyber and space. We value diversity of thought and experience and provide the resources you need to grow both professionally and personally. We offer flexible working patterns and a comprehensive benefits package.

Salary and Benefits

Salary: Up to £51,000 (dependent on skills and experience). Benefits include a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance, a Company-contributed Share Incentive Plan, flexible working, an employee assistance programme, Cycle2work, employee discounts, and the potential for an annual incentive.