Global Aviation Bid Manager: Lead Complex Proposals

Holt Executive Ltd; Crawley; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Holt Executive Ltd is seeking a commercially astute Bid Manager to lead global aftermarket opportunities for advanced aviation training and simulation equipment. The role focuses on turning customer enquiries into technically deliverable, commercially competitive bids and contracts.

Based in Crawley with four days onsite per week, you will coordinate inputs across Sales, Engineering and Finance to deliver high-quality proposals and successful handovers.

Qualifications

• Bid, capture, proposal or complex commercial management experience.
• Experience leading opportunities from qualification through proposal, negotiation and contract award.
• Strong technical understanding of integrated hardware and software systems.
• Experience in aviation, aerospace, simulation, defence, or regulated environments.
• Ability to define practical solutions and develop robust scopes of work.
• Strong commercial judgement across cost, schedule, profitability, feasibility and risk.
• Excellent proposal-writing, customer-management and stakeholder engagement.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

• Lead global aftermarket bids from customer enquiry through to contract award and handover.
• Translate customer requirements into clear, costed and deliverable technical and commercial solutions.
• Coordinate bid inputs across Sales, Engineering, Solutions Architecture, Programme Management, Supply Chain, Finance, Commercial and Service teams.
• Develop scopes of work, including deliverables, assumptions, exclusions, dependencies and acceptance criteria.
• Prepare estimates, schedules, pricing inputs and high-quality proposals.
• Manage technical, commercial and delivery risks, including integration, obsolescence, suppliers and customer-site constraints.
• Lead bid reviews, governance approvals, customer clarifications and contract negotiations.
• Improve bid performance through reusable content, estimating data and lessons learned.

Skills

Bid management

Proposal writing

Cross-functional leadership

Technical understanding

Aviation/aerospace sector knowledge

Commercial acumen

Stakeholder management

Regulated environment experience

MS Office proficiency

Education

Engineering / Systems Engineering / Aerospace / Computing or similar

APMP/Shipley bid-management training

Tools

MS Office suite

Job description

Holt Executive Ltd is seeking a commercially astute Bid Manager to lead global aftermarket opportunities for advanced aviation training and simulation equipment. The role focuses on turning customer enquiries into technically deliverable, commercially competitive bids and contracts.

Based in Crawley with four days onsite per week, you will coordinate inputs across Sales, Engineering and Finance to deliver high-quality proposals and successful handovers.