Senior Programme & Bid Manager | Defence | Project Governance | Bids to Programme Delivery

We are seeking an experienced Senior Programme & 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 life cycle
• 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 & 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