Job Specifications
Proposal Manager
Bid Manager/Tender Manager
Cheltenham | Hybrid (3-4 days on-site, remainder remote)
£55,000 - £65,000 + excellent benefits, including optional 9-day fortnight
UK Citizenship & eligibility for SC clearance required
Are you a skilled Proposal Manager looking for your next challenge in the defence and cyber domain? Our client, a leading provider of advanced defence, security and military technology solutions, is expanding their bids function and seeking an experienced professional to help deliver high-impact, high-value tender submissions.
Working across a diverse portfolio of UK customers, you'll lead proposals spanning next-generation Air Force programmes, cyber security, ISR, communications, radar systems and Command & Control. Projects range from early-stage research studies to multi-million-pound, multi-year strategic campaigns.
You'll join an established, energised and highly collaborative business development team that takes pride in delivering innovative solutions, professional excellence and continual improvement.
What You'll Be Doing
Own the proposal development process from pre-proposal planning through to post-submission review
Define proposal structure, timelines and SME contributions in line with RFP requirements
Lead and coordinate multi-disciplinary proposal teams to deliver competitive, compelling submissions
Monitor content quality, ensuring responses are compliant, coherent and strategically positioned
Gather cost, schedule and performance data from functional departments
Manage stakeholder engagement throughout each submission lifecycle
Research historical data and lessons learned to strengthen future bids
Ensure adherence to internal governance, processes and acquisition frameworks
Implement tools and best practice methodologies to continually improve bid quality
Coordinate and run proposal reviews, ensuring independent challenge and quality assurance
Produce clear, timely status reporting for leadership and internal stakeholders
Build strong collaborations with industrial partners, ensuring their contributions are aligned and integrated
What You'll Bring
Essential
Experience using procurement portals (eg, Award, Bravo, Jaggaer, or similar)
Demonstrated capability delivering complex product/service proposal documentation
Strong reporting and communication skills, including senior-level progress updates
People management or team leadership experience
Desired
Previous experience supporting government or commercial competitive tender processes
Familiarity with online tender submission tools
Line management experience with proven ability to coach and grow high-performing teams
Experience leading multi-discipline teams (up to 20 people)
Additional Requirements
Ability to obtain and maintain UK Security Check (SC) clearance
Willingness to travel within the UK for meetings, team activities and occasional international visits
Flexibility to work overtime or weekends when required during peak submission phases
Valid UK driving licence and passport
About the Company
Recruitment consultants specialised in sourcing top-tier IT, Digital and Change Professionals across the UK.
We pride ourselves on matching incredibly talented professionals with forward thinking businesses. Whether we’re advancing technology careers or expanding digital teams, we strive to ensure every person we work with has an exceptional level of service partnering with TalentTrade. Drawing upon more than twenty years of experience, we’ve assisted businesses at every stage, from startup to enterprise, building talented, ...
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