Bid Finance Manager

Londrinatur; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence technology firm in Glasgow seeks a Bid Finance Manager to lead the creation and presentation of financial estimates and pricing strategies. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in high-value bids, particularly in the Aerospace and Defence sectors, and must be adept in financial modelling. Additionally, the position offers a hybrid work model, competitive benefits, and opportunities for career growth.

Benefits

Performance related annual bonus

Pension match up to 7%

Life Assurance

Private Medical Insurance

24/7 Employee Assistance Programme

Access to flexible benefits

Qualifications

• Proven tenure in a similar role with experience in bids exceeding £50M.
• Experience in Aerospace and Defence industry.
• Skilled in developing cost and price modelling strategies.

Responsibilities

• Lead creation of estimating and costing strategies.
• Prepare financial data for internal bid reviews.
• Build cost models for decision making.
• Drive improvement in estimating tools and processes.
• Negotiate Single Source Pricing Regulations with MOD.

Skills

Bid Finance experience

Analytical skills

Risk/opportunity modelling

Effective communication

Detail-oriented

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

ProPricer

TruePlanning

Primavera

Job description

Bid Finance Manager

Location: Glasgow, full‑time hybrid working (minimum 3 days per week from office vs home)

Do you have a proven background in Bid Finance and Estimating? Ready to take on a new challenge where you can lead transformation and inspire change across the Bid and Project Management community? This could be the opportunity you've been waiting for.

Thales people architect solutions that are relied upon to deliver operational advantage at every decisive moment throughout the mission. Defence and armed forces customers rely on us to deliver the full range of defensive systems for land, sea, and air. From early warning, to threat neutralisation, our platforms cover all levels from very short‑range systems, to extended protection across the entire battle‑space including Airspace Mobility Solutions, Vehicles and Tactical Systems and Missile Defence, Optronics, and Radar. Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us. At Thales UK, we research, develop, and supply technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better, and keep us safer. We innovate across the major industries of Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space. Your health and well‑being matters to us and thats why we offer you the flexibility to do whats important to you; whether thats part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

What The Role Has To Offer

• Play a pivotal role in shaping high‑value bids that directly influence strategic outcomes

Our Opportunity

Thales Optronics and Missile Electronics (OME) are offering an exciting opportunity for a Bid Finance Manager to join their dynamic team in Glasgow - where innovation meets impact in the heart of defence technology. Reporting to the Commercial Director for OME UK, the Bid Finance Manager plays a key role in delivering accurate and efficient estimates, costing, and financial modelling - driving value through close collaboration with both internal teams and external stakeholders.

What We Offer You

• Performance related annual bonus (VCP)
• Pension match like‑for‑like up to 7% of annual base salary
• Life Assurance 2 x base salary minimum (8 x salary if part of the pension scheme)
• Income Protection 50% of salary less state benefits for 5 years
• Annual Leave 201 hours, bank holidays, plus 1 company day
• Private Medical Insurance - Couples cover
• Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 1:00pm
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• 24 hours paid leave for volunteering activities
• Access to flexible benefits and discounts dental insurance, buying & selling annual leave, cycle to work, and many more

Key Responsibilities And Tasks

• Lead the coordination, creation, and presentation of estimating, costing, and pricing strategies for bids and proposals
• Prepare and deliver financial data and analysis to support internal bid reviews, Gate Reviews and approval processes
• Build and refine cost models to inform decision making in relation to cashflow, margin, and profitability
• Drive continuous improvement in estimating and financial modelling tools, methodologies, and processes
• Play a key role in Single Source Pricing Regulations (SSPR) negotiations with the UK Ministry of Defence

About You

• Proven tenure in a similar role with experience in fast‑paced bidding environments, including costing and pricing bids exceeding £50M
• Aerospace and Defence industry experience, including UK MOD procurement, cost assurance processes, and Single Source Pricing Regulations negotiations
• Familiar with international customer negotiations and proficient in tools such as Microsoft Office Suite, ProPricer, TruePlanning, and Primavera
• Skilled in developing and implementing cost and price modelling strategies during early bid stages, with a track record of advising senior leadership on bid decisions
• Proven analytical skills with expertise in numerical analysis, complex problem solving, and risk/opportunity modelling
• Effective communicator under pressure, able to present ideas and financial data clearly and persuasively
• Highly organised, self‑motivated, and detail‑oriented, consistently delivering to tight deadlines
• Open‑minded and adaptable, with a positive approach to new ideas, practices, and methodologies

Security Clearance Statement

This role will require SC Clearance. It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant will undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance. Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance. 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. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the National Security Vetting (NSV) Agency - United Kingdom Security Vetting - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). In line with Thales' Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.

Equal Opportunities

At Thales we are committed to equal opportunities and welcome all talented individuals to consider joining our team. So even if you don't match every statement below but feel you have some of the experience, knowledge or skills needed for this role, we encourage you to apply. It will take all of us working together to deliver solutions to the worlds most critical challenges.

Apply Today

Step into a role where your financial insight shapes strategic decisions - apply today and help deliver the future of defence.