Head of Bid Management

Thales is a global technology leader trusted by governments, institutions, and enterprises to tackle their most demanding challenges. From quantum applications and artificial intelligence to cybersecurity and 6G innovation, our solutions empower critical decisions rooted in human intelligence. Operating at the forefront of aerospace and space, cybersecurity and digital identity, we’re driven by a mission to build a future we can all trust.

Responsibilities:

1. Bid Strategy & Leadership

• Define and execute the overall bid management strategy aligned to business growth targets and portfolio priorities.
• Lead bid/no-bid decision governance, ensuring focus on strategic, winnable opportunities.
• Partner with Portfolio Managers and Sales to shape deal strategies early in the pipeline.
• Provide leadership oversight for complex, high-value, and strategic bids.

2. End-to-End Bid Management

• Oversee the full bid lifecycle: qualification, planning, solutioning, pricing, submission, and handover.
• Ensure structured bid methodologies, tools, and governance frameworks are applied consistently.
• Drive high-quality, compelling proposals that clearly articulate value propositions and differentiators.
• Ensure compliance with client requirements, commercial policies, and risk management frameworks.

3. Commercial & Financial Ownership

• Collaborate with Finance, Commercial, and Delivery teams to ensure robust pricing strategies and financial models.
• Balance competitiveness with profitability and risk mitigation.
• Review and challenge cost assumptions, pricing approaches, and contractual positions.

4. Stakeholder Management

• Act as a key interface between Sales, Portfolio Management, Project Delivery, Legal, Finance, and external partners.
• Engage senior stakeholders to align bid priorities, risks, and strategic positioning.
• Build strong relationships with clients (where appropriate) during bid phases to strengthen win probability.

5. Capability Building & Team Leadership

• Lead and develop a high-performing Bid Management team across multiple opportunities.
• Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and performance metrics for bid managers.
• Build organisational capability in bid writing, solutioning, and storytelling.
• Drive knowledge sharing, lessons learned, and continuous improvement across bids.

6. Quality, Governance & Risk Management

• Establish and enforce bid governance, review gates, and approval processes.
• Ensure risks, assumptions, and dependencies are clearly articulated and managed.
• Drive consistency in proposal quality, branding, and messaging.

7. Transition to Delivery

• Ensure seamless handover from bid to project delivery teams.
• Validate that scope, assumptions, and commitments are clearly understood and documented.
• Partner with Project Managers to reduce transition risk and support successful mobilisation.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Finance or any related discipline.
• 10 - 15 years’ experience in bid management, proposal leadership, or commercial roles, preferably in security domain with digital business acumen.
• Proven track record leading large, complex bids in project-based environments.
• Strong understanding of portfolio, programme, and project delivery models.
• Experience in cross-functional leadership and stakeholder engagement.
• Strong business background in security and end-to-end integrated solutions.
• Deep knowledge and experience in Asia region, especially Singapore.
• Strong experience in working in large industrial companies.
• Important track record in selling complex solutions to highly demanding customers.
• Strong communication skills, business drive, transparency and trust.
• Able to adapt into complex environment and organisations.

At Thales, we’re committed to fostering a workplace where respect, trust, collaboration, and passion drive everything we do. Here, you’ll feel empowered to bring your best self, thrive in a supportive culture, and love the work you do. Join us, and be part of a team reimagining technology to create solutions that truly make a difference – for a safer, greener, and more inclusive world.