Bid & Proposals Manager

Unleash the Power of Multi-Mission Excellence: Safeguarding the Seas for the World's Navies.

Step into a world where cutting-edge technology meets unparalleled expertise. Ultra Maritime pioneers delivering multi-mission solutions that protect and empower the naval forces worldwide. With our extensive portfolio of capabilities, our innovations are utilised on naval fleets across our allied navies around the globe.

As the maritime and underwater battlespace evolves, we tirelessly push the boundaries to develop advanced specialist systems that provide our 'five-eyes' Defence customers with an unbeatable warfighting edge. From surface vessels to sub-surface operations and unmanned platforms, we are revolutionizing the way naval missions are executed.

We thrive on collaboration and partnering with our customers to ensure mission success. Our expert solutions encompass an array of game-changing technologies, including state-of-the-art sonar, radar, expendables, signature management, and naval power systems.

Join us in shaping the future of naval warfare and together, we will safeguard the seas and empower navies worldwide!

Flexible Working

At Ultra Maritime, we understand that your personal life is just as important as your professional one. That's why we support and promote flexible working arrangements where possible. Whether you prefer a hybrid model, working remotely, or the structure of being on-site, we will support you as best as we can.

Embrace the freedom to shape your work hours according to your needs, whether it's part-time, compressed hours, or a unique arrangement that suits your lifestyle.

Loudwater, Greenford, and Weymouth exclusively offer a 9-day fortnight working pattern, offering extended weekends every other week, granting you more time to pursue your passions. And that's not all – we provide flexible start and finish times, as well as Time off in Lieu (TOIL) for up to 1 day per calendar month which tie in with our Values of Integrity, Transparency and Alignment. We welcome the challenge to work in new ways and have trust in you when getting the job done because we recognise, our business is our people.

Job Description

Scope: The Bids and Proposals Manager is responsible for planning, development, management and submission of high-quality bids and proposals in accordance with the Business Winning process across UM UK. Responsible for end to end lifecycle management of the bid, including establishing and managing dedicated bid teams. Supporting continuous improvement of the proposal process.

Key responsibilities:

• Coordinate and apply the UM Business Winning process, procedures and templates to ensure bid process compliance
• End to end lifecycle management of the Bid and Proposal process for dedicated opportunities including:
  • Manage the bid process; plan and control all bid activity, Review customer requests to determine and prepare proposal production and response resource requirements
  • optimising the collaboration of cross-functional bid team members, ensuring the efficiency of the process and the quality of the response documentation and price solution
  • Act as the central point of contact: evaluating requirements, organising kick-off meetings, developing timelines with clearly defined accountabilities and deadlines, undertaking gap analyses and independently developing strategies to overcome them, ensuring mandatory requirements are highlighted and met, and providing mock scoring on draft responses
  • Coordinate and participate in bid and proposal meetings including; daily stand ups, bid kick off, and Shipley colour reviews
  • Prepare and implement proposal plans, templates and schedules in accordance with Ultra’s bid process
  • Prepare various proposal response sections to ensure alignment with the customer requirements
  • Coordinate proposal formatting, writing, editing and proof-reading efforts and drive content to completion
  • Manage the business approval process, scheduling strategic governance gate reviews and coordinating the production of governance review documentation
  • Coordinate Lessons Learned activities
  • Plan, administer and control the bids and proposals budget
• Prepare reports and briefs for the Senior Management team evaluating proposal and capture management and ensure all records are maintained
• Support Capture Leads in development and implementation of bid strategies, opportunity plans, and budgets
• Support training activities and resources to ensure that bid team staff understand the bid and proposal process within the business and are equipped with the tools and knowledge to support the preparation of compliant proposals.

Role Requirements:

• Manage the preparation of proposals in accordance with company processes, including formal kick-off, peer, pricing and management reviews, preparation of proposal plans and schedules, identifying the personnel needed, delegating responsibilities and monitoring the progress of each proposal to ensure the timely submission of proposals.
• Review and analyse incoming customer request documents, identifying requirements to assist in discussion with relevant functions and to support proposal preparation activities.
• Use industry and process knowledge, along with excellent writing skills, to produce high quality proposals content and effectively review and edit content provided by others.
• In conjunction with Business Development and Segments, support in preparation activity prior to RFP
• Accountable for delivering the finished bid and driving the bid through all aspects of the bid process in a timely manner with high quality.
• Ensure the bid is set up in the appropriate systems, including CRM and costing systems (Propricer, etc.).
• Maintain revision control and up-to-date files while coordinating and integrating input from various functions
• Ensure that all steps have been taken to develop the most responsive proposal while minimising any associated risk
• Ensure that costings and proposals have been reviewed by all relevant stakeholders and approvals are done as per Governance requirements
• Hold "proposal lessons learned" staff meetings and incorporate feedback into future proposal submissions.
• Support the development of proposal processes including new tools, concepts, metrics, boilerplates, and procedures for proposal and estimating development.
• Undertake administration activities for assigned proposals and ensure that all relevant proposal and associated material is organised and available on designated Proposal platforms.
• Maintain and upholds the highest confidentiality level for the entire bid exercise.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Skills:

• Education: University degree or college education in Business or Commerce.
• Experience: proposal experience and proven record in managing complex bids and proposal.
• Understanding and application of business development processes and methodologies including Shipley and APMP
• Capable to work effectively within deadlines and short-time frames.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively and proactively with a wide range of professionals at every level and function of the organisation on a day-to-day basis.
• Advanced Digital proficiency as well as MS office and SharePoint.
• Excellent prioritisation skills to manage a high volume of multiple, disparate projects through to completion.
• Quick study and self-starter capable of working with little day-to-day supervision.
• Flexible and agile with positive attitude.
• Solid ability to “own the document” from start to finish.
• Self-motivated team player with strong writing skills who thrives in a busy, dynamic work environment.
• Detail-oriented with a proven ability to perform under pressure.
• Desirable: Experience in a naval or defence environment

Has or is able to hold minimum of UK SC Security Clearance

Typically, a Bachelor Degree (or equivalent) in a related field and 2+ years of related experience.

May be required to maintain security clearance.

Benefits on offer:

• Optional 9 day fortnight
• TOIL
• Flexible working hours
• 1pm finish on a Friday
• Annual bonus
• Hybrid working for certain job roles.
• Casual dress
• 25 days holiday
• Christmas shut down.
• Option to buy or sell holiday.
• Option to purchase private health care, dental, critical illness etc via salary sacrifice.
• Reward hub - discounts at over 200 online stores
• 4 x annual salary life cover
• Pension starting at 5% Employer / 4% Employee. You can select your employee contribution level from 4% to 70% (providing this sacrifice does not cause your salary to drop below the National Minimum Wage/ National Living Wage).

Relocation Support

Attracting high-level talent and people that can add value and expertise, is vital to our success. Attracting and retaining brilliant people is imperative so that’s why we search across the UK for talent. We offer financial support to candidates that are considering relocating; this is considered on a case-by-case basis per role and subject to HMRC guidelines.

Nationality Requirements

Candidates must be eligible to obtain the relevant security clearance required for the role, due to the nature of the programmes we deliver for our customers.

Diverse & Inclusive Employer

Ultra Maritime is an equal opportunities employer that values diversity, inclusion, equity and equality. Underpinned by our values, behaviours, and policies, we want you to feel empowered to be your best and authentic self.

We promote a workplace that welcomes people from all backgrounds and cultures; believing that this will increase our diversity of thinking, and ultimately ensure we continue delivering on our commitments to our customers.

We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status and welcome applications from all candidates.

Company: Ultra Maritime