Location: Manor Royal Crawley, 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.
Job title: Senior Bid Manager
Location: Crawley - hybrid working arrangement – 3 days per week on site
This is an exciting opportunity to lead the delivery of high-value and strategically important bids within a complex and fast-paced environment. As a Senior Bid Manager, you will be responsible for driving the successful development of competitive, high-quality proposals across a range of UK and international opportunities. Working with cross-functional teams and key stakeholders, you will bring structure, governance, and commercial insight to the bid process, playing a critical role in securing new business and supporting organisational growth.
What this role has to offer
The opportunity to lead and influence high-profile bids with real impact on business growth
Exposure to a wide range of stakeholders across technical, commercial, finance, and operational teams
A strategic role driving structured, governance-led bid management processes
The chance to work on both UK and international business opportunities
A dynamic environment where you can develop and showcase leadership, commercial, and stakeholder management expertise
Core Benefits:
On offer is a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes;
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
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
Key responsibilities:
Lead and manage the end-to-end bid process, ensuring delivery of high-quality, compliant, and competitive proposals
Provide structure, governance, and clarity to bid activities, ensuring adherence to established processes and controls
Coordinate and lead multidisciplinary bid teams, driving collaboration and performance to achieve successful outcomes
Develop and articulate win themes, aligning customer needs with the organisation’s value proposition
Support commercial strategy through cost validation, pricing alignment, and participation in customer negotiations
About you:
Proven experience in bid management, with a track record of delivering successful bids in complex environments
Strong commercial, financial, and business acumen, including understanding of pricing and cost structures
Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills across internal teams, customers, and partners
Strong leadership capability, with experience managing multidisciplinary teams and driving results
Excellent communication, organisational, and analytical skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities
Security Clearance statement:
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.
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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.
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