Location: Reading, United Kingdom
Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.
Bid Manager – UK Real Estate
Location: Flexible to work at any of our major UK Sites – Green Park, Crawley, Cheadle, Templecombe, Glasgow or Belfast
Application Deadline: Monday 8th June 2026
Purpose of the Role
We’re shaping the future of Thales UK’s Real Estate footprint—and you’ll play a central part in making it happen. As Bid Manager, you will lead the development of major real estate and infrastructure proposals that enable our operational strategy, future site capabilities, and long‑term investment plans across the UK.
Reporting to the UK Real Estate Director, you will influence high‑value strategic decisions and ensure every bid we deliver is commercially sound, operationally aligned and positioned for success.
What You’ll Be Doing
Leading end‑to‑end bid activity for major Real Estate programmes, ensuring proposals are high‑quality, compliant and aligned with business priorities.
Managing and guiding the capital project team supporting ICSM, BCCR/PACE and other strategic bids.
Providing authoritative input on property, infrastructure, compliance, sustainability and site operations.
Producing fully costed proposals that integrate Real Estate plans with operational needs, investment strategy and customer requirements.
Working collaboratively with Operations, Finance, Commercial, Legal, Security and HSE to consolidate inputs and ensure accuracy and commercial strength.
Preparing submission documents, presentations and review materials for internal and customer stakeholders.
Monitoring market, regulatory and industry trends to inform competitive bid positioning.
Driving continuous improvement of bid tools, templates and ways of working.
What We’re Looking For
Background in bid management, proposal development or business development
Experience supporting large, complex bid encompassing multiple stakeholders and cross-functional teams.
Proven ability to develop detailed, costed proposals aligned to strategic and operational plans.
Skilled at working in matrix environments and partnering with Finance, Commercial, Legal and technical teams.
Confident communicator with strong analytical, problem‑solving and decision‑making skills.
Benefits:
Performance-related bonus
Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:00
28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) with opportunity to buy up to 40 hours/year (pro rata)
24 hours volunteering paid for
Private healthcare
Pension scheme
Life cover
24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app
Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
Gym membership discounts
Security Clearance Requirement:
Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires Security Clearance (SC). It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment.
To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years’ residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.
Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels.
Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales.
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At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. Read more about our benefits here.
We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.
If this role isn’t quite right for you, we encourage you to join our talent community where your details will be shared with our recruitment teams for other potential opportunities. Join the Talent Community here.
Join Thales in the UK – Innovate with us and shape the future!
