Strategic Bid & Programme Lead (Defence)

Navantia; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Navantia UK seeks an experienced Bid and Programme Manager to lead high-value UK defence and maritime bids. You will drive end-to-end bid processes, coordinate across engineering, finance, legal, and operations, and maintain governance to win strategic contracts.

Balancing strategic bid thinking with hands-on project execution, you will manage timelines, budgets and resources, while maintaining alignment with security and company obligations.

Qualifications

• Degree in Project Management, Business, Engineering, or related field (Masters preferred but not essential).
• Extensive experience in project & programme management, bid management, or similar roles.
• Proven experience managing complex engineering bids or proposals in a competitive environment.
• Strong understanding of project management frameworks and tools (PMP, PRINCE2, Agile, Kanban, EVM, Predict! or equivalent).
• Experience working in cross-functional and international teams.
• Experience managing projects or programmes within defence, shipbuilding, heavy engineering or construction sectors.

Responsibilities

• Provide programme leadership across functions to drive successful bid delivery for major Navantia UK opportunities.
• Lead and continuously improve project scope, objectives, governance, deliverables, and performance.
• Plan, execute, monitor and enhance projects using established methodologies and tools (PID, PMO, Agile, SAP experience).
• Control project schedules, budgets, and resources across projects and business units.
• Coordinate with engineering in product development, costs, risks, assumptions and dependencies.
• Influence internal stakeholders and external partners to ensure successful delivery.
• Track progress and report performance to senior management and clients; escalate issues.
• Identify and mitigate project risks and opportunities proactively.

Skills

Project management

Bid management

Cross-functional leadership

International teams

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Education

Degree in Project Management, Business, Engineering, or related field

Tools

PMP

PRINCE2

Agile

Kanban

EVM

Job description

Navantia UK seeks an experienced Bid and Programme Manager to lead high-value UK defence and maritime bids. You will drive end-to-end bid processes, coordinate across engineering, finance, legal, and operations, and maintain governance to win strategic contracts.

Balancing strategic bid thinking with hands-on project execution, you will manage timelines, budgets and resources, while maintaining alignment with security and company obligations.