Mercury Systems
Bids and Proposals Manager
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Lead global pursuits. Shape winning strategies. Drive international growth.
Are you an experienced bid professional with a track record of delivering complex, high-value proposals in the defence, aerospace, or advanced technology sectors?
We're looking for a Bids & Proposals Manager to lead the development and submission of compelling, compliant, and competitive bids for global customers. This is a fantastic opportunity to play a pivotal role in driving strategic growth while collaborating with international teams, partners, and stakeholders across multiple regions.
🚀 About the Role
As our Bids & Proposals Manager, you will take ownership of the complete bid lifecycle, from qualification and strategy development through to submission and post-bid review. Working within a highly regulated and fast-paced environment, you'll lead complex pursuits for government, defence, and aerospace customers, ensuring proposals are commercially robust, technically compelling, and fully compliant with international requirements.
This role offers significant visibility across the business and the opportunity to work closely with senior leaders, capture teams, engineering experts, and global partners.
🔍 What You'll Be Doing
Bid & Proposal Leadership
- Lead end-to-end bid and proposal activities for complex defence and aerospace opportunities.
- Develop winning bid strategies aligned to customer priorities, capture plans, and growth objectives.
- Manage proposal schedules, reviews, deliverables, and stakeholder engagement across international teams.
- Ensure submissions meet all quality, governance, and compliance requirements.
Global Collaboration
- Coordinate multinational teams, partners, joint ventures, and subcontractors throughout the proposal process.
- Facilitate effective collaboration across different cultures, geographies, and time zones.
- Tailor proposal messaging and content to regional customer expectations and procurement practices.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Compliance & Governance
- Ensure compliance with customer requirements, export control regulations, and security obligations.
- Work closely with Legal, Security, and Compliance teams to manage contractual and cross-border risks.
- Support adherence to FAR, DFARS, ITAR, EAR, and other relevant defence procurement frameworks.
Proposal Development
- Lead proposal planning, compliance reviews, and content development.
- Write, edit, and integrate technical, management, and commercial responses.
- Ensure proposals are persuasive, well-structured, and aligned with evaluation criteria.
Commercial & Risk Management
- Support pricing strategies, cost models, and commercial reviews.
- Identify and mitigate proposal, contractual, and delivery risks.
- Ensure alignment between technical solutions, commercial terms, and customer requirements.
Continuous Improvement
- Analyse bid performance and win/loss data to drive future success.
- Maintain proposal templates, content libraries, and best practices.
- Champion innovation and continuous improvement, including the use of AI-enabled tools where appropriate.
🎯 What We're Looking For
Essential
- Significant experience managing bids and proposals within the Defence, Aerospace, Security, or Advanced Technology sectors.
- Proven success delivering complex, high-value proposals for government customers or prime contractors.
- Strong understanding of international procurement environments and regulated industries.
- Exceptional project management and stakeholder management skills.
- Outstanding written communication and proposal development capability.
- Experience working across international teams, partners, and subcontractors.
- Strong commercial awareness and strategic thinking.
Desirable
- APMP Certification (Foundation, Practitioner, or Professional).
- Degree in Business, Engineering, Aerospace, or a related discipline.
- Knowledge of defence procurement regulations and export controls.
- Existing Security Clearance or ability to obtain government clearance.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
🌟 Why Join Us?
- Lead strategically important bids with global impact.
- Work alongside international experts across engineering, programmes, finance, legal, and capture teams.
- Play a key role in shaping business growth and future opportunities.
- Join a collaborative environment where innovation and continuous improvement are encouraged.
- Develop your career within a leading technology-focused organisation serving defence and aerospace customers worldwide.
📩 Apply Today
If you're passionate about developing winning proposals, thrive in complex international environments, and want to make an impact on high-profile defence and aerospace programmes, we'd love to hear from you.
Equal Opportunity Statement
At Mercury Systems, we are committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity and diversity. We believe that equal opportunity is fundamental to building a dynamic and innovative workforce.
We provide employment opportunities free from discrimination, ensuring fair treatment for all individuals regardless of race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.
Our commitment extends beyond compliance—we actively promote diversity and inclusivity in our hiring practices, workplace policies, and career development opportunities. We aim to create an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique talents to Mercury Systems' success.
Together, we strive to achieve equal opportunities for all while building a collaborative and supportive workplace.
Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted, thank you in advance for your understanding.
==> Join us and be part of a company where innovation and people truly come together.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills