Bid Finance Manager

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

Contract: 18 month fixed term contract

Location: Crawley, Templecombe or Cheadle

Travel: Up to 25% travel within the UK as required

Hybrid working arrangement: 3 days per week on site (based on full-time hours)

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping the success of major business opportunities. As a Bid Finance Manager, you will work at the heart of the bid process, providing financial leadership, cost modelling expertise, and commercial insight to support the development of profitable, competitive bids. Working across engineering, project management, commercial, and finance teams, you will help ensure robust financial governance while contributing to the successful capture of new business.

What this role has to offer

• The opportunity to influence high-value, strategic bids from an early stage
• Exposure to a wide range of stakeholders across finance, engineering, commercial, procurement, and project management
• Involvement in complex cost modelling, pricing, and financial strategy activities
• The chance to support major UK and international defence opportunities
• Opportunities to develop expertise in bid finance, estimation, risk analysis, and business case development

Core Benefits:

On offer is a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes;

• Performance-related bonus
• Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:00
• 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) plus opportunity to buy up to 40 hours/year (pro rata)
• 24 hours volunteering paid for
• Private healthcare (grade dependent)
• Pension scheme
• Life cover
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app
• Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
• Gym membership discounts
• You can read about some of our other benefits here: UK benefits | Thales Group

Main Responsibilities:

• Lead the preparation, review, and presentation of estimating, costing, pricing, and financial data for bids and projects
• Develop financial models covering costs, risks, opportunities, cash flow, funding, and margins
• Support bid reviews, gate approvals, and financial governance activities
• Contribute to the creation of business cases and commercial strategies for new opportunities
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to help deliver competitive and successful bids

Ideal Experience & Skills:

• Experience in estimating, cost engineering, bid finance, project controls, finance, or a related discipline within a complex business environment
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, with the ability to analyse and interpret complex data
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across multiple functions
• Advanced Excel and financial modelling capabilities, with strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills
• Experience supporting complex bids, projects, or defence-related programmes, ideally within a regulated or technical environment

Security Clearance Requirement:

Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires Security Clearance (SC). It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment.

To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years’ residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.

Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels.

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At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. Read more about our benefits here.
 

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.

If this role isn’t quite right for you, we encourage you to join our talent community where your details will be shared with our recruitment teams for other potential opportunities. Join the Talent Community here.

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