Bid Manager

As our Bid Manager, you'll take ownership of the entire bid lifecycle, from opportunity qualification through to submission and delivery handover. You'll work closely with technical, commercial, programme and operational teams to develop compelling, compliant and customer-focused proposals that showcase Kraken's capabilities and value.

This is a highly visible role that combines project management, stakeholder engagement, proposal development and strong commercial awareness. You'll play a key part in securing the opportunities that drive Kraken's future growth.

• Monitor tender portals and procurement channels to identify suitable opportunities.
• Lead bids, proposals and information responses from qualification through to submission and handover.
• Analyse customer requirements and develop bid plans, compliance matrices and submission schedules.
• Coordinate technical, commercial, finance and programme contributors to deliver high-quality responses.
• Develop winning strategies, value propositions and customer-focused messaging.
• Write, review and edit persuasive proposal content.
• Manage bid risks, assumptions, actions and clarifications.
• Facilitate internal reviews and secure governance approvals.
• Ensure submissions are compliant, commercially aligned and deliverable.
• Manage document production, version control and on-time submission.
• Support customer clarification activities and post-award handovers.
• Capture lessons learned and contribute to continuous improvement of Kraken's bid processes.

• Significant experience managing bids or proposals within engineering, technology, defence or similarly regulated industries.
• Proven experience leading opportunities from qualification through to submission.
• Experience responding to UK Government, MOD or public-sector procurement opportunities.
• Strong understanding of tender documentation, compliance requirements and evaluation methodologies.
• Exceptional written communication and proposal-writing skills.
• Strong planning, organisational and stakeholder-management capability.
• Ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams and work effectively under pressure.
• High attention to detail and strong document-control practices.
• Advanced Microsoft Office and collaboration tool proficiency.
• Ability to handle commercially sensitive and confidential information appropriately.

• Experience within maritime autonomy, robotics, unmanned systems or defence technology.
• Knowledge of MOD contracting frameworks and defence security requirements.
• Experience supporting international defence or government procurements.
• Familiarity with procurement portals and bid-management systems.
• APMP, Shipley or equivalent bid-management qualification.
• Degree or equivalent experience in Business, Communications, Engineering or a related discipline.

At Kraken, collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. You'll work alongside talented engineers, programme managers, commercial specialists and operational teams, bringing together diverse expertise to create compelling customer solutions.

We're looking for someone who takes ownership, communicates confidently, challenges constructively and thrives in a fast-paced environment. Success in this role comes from building strong relationships, maintaining exceptional attention to detail and keeping customer requirements at the centre of every submission.

• Work on innovative technologies supporting defence, maritime and autonomous systems.
• Be part of a growing and ambitious technology business.
• Collaborate with experienced specialists across engineering, commercial and programme disciplines.
• Play a direct role in securing projects that shape the future of maritime autonomy.
• Enjoy genuine responsibility, autonomy and opportunities for professional development.
• Join a team that values innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement.

• 25 days holiday per year, plus paid bank holiday
• After two years’ consecutive service, one additional day’s annual leave up to a maximum of five additional days annual leave
• Holiday buy/sell, up to five days per calendar year
• Flexi working, core hours 10:00 to 15:00, subject to departmental requirements
• Private Medical Insurance with optional family cover
• Pension scheme with a 5% employer contribution, there is no cap on the employee contribution level
• Life assurance 3x salary
• Group Income Protection
• Health Care Cash Plan
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Electric Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providing mental health and wellbeing support
• Professional membership reimbursement

Due to the nature of our work many of our roles require a UK nationality and the ability to obtain a security clearance.  Applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment must meet the requirement of right to work in the UK and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information and will be subject to Government security checks.

Kraken Works Limited is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We are committed to maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination and offers equal opportunities to all.  Applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, and marriage and civil partnerships.