Senior Bid Manager

Thales; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-related bonus

Half day every Friday

28 days annual leave

Life cover

24/7 Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

A leading defense contractor in Glasgow is seeking a Senior Bid Manager to oversee bid management activities. You will ensure the successful delivery of bids, managing the preparation of high-quality proposals. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in delivering significant project bids, particularly in the defense or heavy engineering sectors. Strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills are essential for this hybrid role, which requires a minimum of £5 million in bid experience.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of delivering successful project bids in relevant sectors.
• Experience delivering bids of £5–60 million minimum.
• Working knowledge of industry standard bid management approaches.

Responsibilities

• Manage bid deliverables and ensure review and governance.
• Support Sales/Capture Lead in customer negotiations.
• Generate win themes linking customer needs with Thales offerings.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Strong negotiation skills

Bid Management process understanding

Project management experience

Job description

Talent Acquisition Partner focused on delivering proactive, quality driven recruitment solutions for Thales. Responsible for resourcing and…

Job title: Senior Bid Manager

Location: Glasgow (Hybrid working – 3 days min per week on site)

We have an exciting new opportunity available in Thales Optronics and Missile Electronic (OME) in Glasgow as a Senior Bid Manager.

As a Senior Bid Manager, you will be in charge of specific bid‑management activities to ensure the successful delivery of a bid or a number of bids. You will bring structure, clarity and governance to the process and discipline relating to bid management activities as well as manage the preparation of the pre‑qualification repose submissions to customers with the objective of securing an invitation to bid.

Core Benefits

• Performance‑related bonus
• Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:00pm
• 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) plus opportunity to buy up to 40 hours/year (pro rata)
• 24 hours volunteering paid for
• Life cover
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app
• Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers

What does the job involve?

• Participate in Bid Kick‑Off meetings, providing bid management direction and engagement with the Bid Team.
• Manage the creation of the bid deliverables and ensuring review and governance, leading to the creation of a high‑quality proposal.
• Work effectively with Capture Leader to generate win themes that link customer needs with defined benefits of the Thales offering.
• Ensure that cost estimates / target budgets are provided with support of Systems Engineering / Product Management.
• Ensure that cost estimates are effectively reviewed to ensure competitive and winning pricing.
• Ensure that effective Gate Business Cases are prepared for specific opportunities.
• Support the Sales/Capture Lead in any customer negotiations and presentations.

What are we looking for?

• A proven track record of delivering successful project (not product) bids in contexts relevant to Thales – defence, heavy engineering or construction sectors.
• Experience delivering bids to the value of £5‑60 million minimum.
• Ideally experience of single source government bidding (for repeat business).
• Strong negotiation skills with the ability to deal with customers, partners, suppliers and other parts of the business (stakeholder management skills).
• Comprehensive experience and understanding of the Bid Management process (including Change Control, Risk Management and Information Management).
• A minimum a working knowledge of industry standard approaches to bid management (such as Shipley Capture Bench).

Security Clearance statement

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.

Seniority level

Not Applicable

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Project Management, Management, and Strategy/Planning

Industries

Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing and Defense and Space Manufacturing