Bid Manager
// Role Summary
As a Bid Manager at BAE Systems, you will drive the success of strategic business opportunities by leading bid phase governance, managing the bid process, and coordinating multi-disciplinary teams to secure future business.
// Key Responsibilities
- Lead the planning and execution of bid cycles and governance plans.
- Define and implement tailored bid processes for specific opportunities.
- Manage business approval processes and coordinate costing/pricing activities.
- Lead and appraise multi-disciplinary bid teams and stakeholders.
- Support Capture Leaders in securing strategic business opportunities.
- Work within a collaborative Business Development Operations team.
// Role Specification
About the Role
As a Bid Manager, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and securing some of BAE Systems' most strategic business opportunities. Supporting the Capture Leader, you will lead the bid phase governance for assigned pursuits, taking ownership of the Bid Management Plan and ensuring robust governance, compliance, and effective coordination of cost and pricing strategies.
Core Duties
- Leading all aspects of the planning and execution of the overall bid cycle/governance plan for assigned bids.
- Defining, tailoring, and implementing a suitable Bid process to fit the Opportunity.
- Managing the business approval process at all required delegated authority levels, supporting any security and export approvals.
- Leading the multi-disciplined Bid team, ensuring the entire team is kept appraised of developments in requirements and bid status on a day-to-day basis.
- Interacting with bid stakeholders at all appropriate levels across multiple organisations and keeping the Business Leadership Team informed and engaged, including timely escalation of issues needing resolution.
- Coordinating the Costing and Pricing activity, including acting as an independent challenger to keep the team focused on meeting the Price to Win.
Essential Skills and Experience
- Proven bid management and project management skills, ideally within the defence market or a complex procurement environment.
- Proven experience of supporting RFIs, ITT/ITN/RFP/RFQ or Framework bids in a competitive environment.
- APMP – Association for Proposal Management Professionals qualification – desirable.
About the Team
This role sits within the Maritime and Land Business Development Operations team, residing in Defence Solutions. This is a highly collaborative function that plays a critical role in securing future business across the Maritime and Land sector. The team supports a diverse portfolio of pursuits, from long-term strategic campaigns to fast-paced competitive bids, helping to shape and deliver business-winning solutions.
As part of a wider community of Bid Managers, Proposal Managers, and Proposal Coordinators, you’ll work alongside experienced professionals who are passionate about delivering excellence. You’ll have the opportunity to contribute to a broad range of programmes and customers, developing your expertise across different markets and business areas while building a strong network across BAE Systems.
About BAE Systems
Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future for all of us. From the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of space, there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.
We are committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.
Location and Working Arrangements
BroadOak, Portsmouth – Hybrid, with 2-3 days a week onsite. We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role.
Security and Export Control
Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.