Programme & Bid Manager
Job Description
Senior Programme andamp; Bid Manager
We are seeking an experienced Senior Programme andamp; Bid Manager to lead the delivery of complex programmes and bids within a dynamic, technology-led environment. This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for driving performance across a portfolio of high-value projects, from early-stage capture through to delivery.
The Role
You will oversee both programme execution and bid activity, leading a team of Programme Managers and bid resources within a matrix structure. This role is critical in ensuring successful delivery, robust governance, and alignment with business strategy, while maintaining strong relationships with internal stakeholders and customers.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of Programme Managers and bid professionals
- Own the overall performance and health of the programme and bid portfolio
- Ensure alignment of programmes and bids with strategic business objectives and customer priorities
- Balance resources and priorities across multiple concurrent programmes and opportunities
- Establish and maintain robust governance, reporting, and control across cost, schedule, risk, and change
- Oversee bid strategy, planning, resourcing, and approval processes
- Ensure seamless transition from bid phase into programme delivery
- Manage risks, issues, and opportunities across the full lifecycle
- Provide clear and concise reporting to senior leadership and governance forums
- Ensure compliance with internal processes, regulatory requirements, and contractual obligations
- Drive continuous improvement and capture lessons learned across programmes and bids
- Support financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting activities
- Engage with customers, partners, and suppliers to support successful programme execution
- Contribute to wider operational and strategic initiatives as required
About You
- Proven leadership experience managing complex programmes and bids in multi-stakeholder environments
- Demonstrated success delivering large-scale projects from concept through to completion
- Strong understanding of matrix organisations and cross-functional team leadership
- Excellent commercial, contractual, and risk management expertise
- Confident decision-maker with strong governance and assurance capability
- Highly effective communicator with the ability to influence at senior and executive levels
- Collaborative, resilient, and able to perform under pressure
- Customer-focused with strong commercial awareness
- Willingness to travel occasionally within the UK and internationally
Experience andamp; Qualifications
- Background in project/programme management, ideally within a highly regulated or engineering-led industry
- Professional certification such as APM, PRINCE2, PMP, MSP, or equivalent
- Experience managing bids and programmes end-to-end
- Exposure to international customers or export projects is advantageous
- Strong financial acumen, including budgeting and forecasting