Job Description

Location: Crawley, United Kingdom

Thales people architect solutions at the heart of the defence-security continuum. Interoperable and secure information and telecommunications systems for defence, security, and civil operators, are based upon innovative use of radiocommunications, networks, and cybersecurity. We are ground breaking new digital technologies such as 4G mobile communications, cryptography, cloud computing and big data for use in physical protection systems, and critical information systems.

Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us. At Thales UK, we research, develop, and supply technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better, and keep us safer. We innovate across five major industries; Aerospace, Defence, Ground Transportation, Security and Space. Your health and well-being matters to us and that\xe2\x80\x99s why we offer you the flexibility to do what\xe2\x80\x99s important to you; whether that\xe2\x80\x99s part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks:

Undertake the activities that will ensure the successful deliver of the bid (or bids). This will typically include (but is not limited to) the following:

Bring structure, clarity and governance to the process and discipline relating to bid management activities.

• Manage the preparation of prequalification response submissions to customers with the objective of securing an invitation to bid.
• Participate in Bid Kick-Off meetings, providing bid management direction and engagement with the Bid Team
• Manage the creation of the bid deliverables, shaping a compelling offer and ensuring review and governance, leading to the creation of a high quality proposal.
• Work effectively with Capture Leader to generate win themes that link customer needs with defined benefits of the Thales offering
• Ensure that cost estimates / target budgets are provided with support of Systems Engineering / Product Management.
• Ensure that cost estimates are effectively reviewed to ensure competitive and winning pricing
• Ensure that effective Gate Business Cases are prepared for specific opportunities.
• Support the Sales/Capture Lead in any customer negotiations and presentations.

The role will also involve occasional ad-hoc duties that are not listed above but are necessary to respond to the needs of the business. These ad-hoc duties will be consistent with the nature of a management position within Thales.

Experience:

Essential

• A proven track record of delivering successful bids in contexts relevant to Thales.
• Working in a complex, multidisciplinary, multi-site organisation.
• Can demonstrate the ability to construct of solutions that meet the markets need both commercially and technically
• Full business lifecycle management, including capture, qualification and developing capture plans and winning strategies
• Extensive client and stakeholder management
• Comprehensive understanding of generic processes and techniques used to schedule bid management activities.
• Comprehensive experience and understanding of the Bid Management process (including Change Control, Risk Management and Information Management).
• Comprehensive experience and knowledge of the bid life cycle
• Experience of working across boundaries, including knowledge of commercial management, finance functions.
• Has as a minimum a working knowledge of industry standard approaches to bid management (such as Shipley Capture Bench)

Skills:

Essential:

• Strong, professional bid management skills.
• The ability to directly successfully manage a bid team and to drive solutions to successful conclusion.
• Strong negotiation skills with the ability to deal with customers, partners, suppliers and other parts of the business (stakeholder management skills).
• Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills with written presentation and report writing skills.
• Strong, organisational, managerial and team working skills
• Analytical skills aligned with the need to carry out detailed investigation of cost variance(s) and publishing of financial information directly into Company financial reports
• Commercial, financial and business acumen.
• A positive attitude combined with excellent interpersonal and motivational skills.
• An ability to successfully manage change
• The ability to adapt personal style of management and communication to achieve the desired results from interactions with team members and stakeholders.

Qualifications:

• Educated to degree level in a discipline that is compatible with the requirements of Bid Management
• As a minimum Level C Professional accreditation with the Association for Project Management (or equivalent level of professional accreditation).

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In line with Thales\' Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working.

Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process. To request an adjustment, if you need this job advert in an alternative format or if you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact for mid to senior roles, or the for graduate and apprentice roles.

Great journeys start here, apply now!

Thales