Proposal Manager

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 life cycle
• 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