Key Takeaways
- Earn £24,000 per year while studying for a Level 4 Project Management Associate Apprenticeship.
- Gain hands-on experience in bid management, working on real projects and developing key business skills.
- The apprenticeship is a 2-year programme based in Crawley, with a start date of 6th September 2027.
- Requires 2 A Levels (Grade C or above) or equivalent Level 3 qualification, plus GCSEs in English and Maths.
- Applications close on 17th February 2027, but may close earlier due to high demand.
About the Role
Bid Management is a key and fast-paced role within Thales UK, responsible for creating proposals to win new business. Bid Managers lead bids, ensuring business strategy aligns with company goals.
As a Bid Management Apprentice, you will gain real responsibility and learn to lead cross-functional teams to deliver successful bids. You will help bring together the right people, information, and ideas, manage activities and deadlines, and ensure proposals highlight why customers should choose Thales.
Experience you will gain:
- Understanding and responding to customer requests
- Structuring and estimating new projects
- Developing compelling and competitive proposals
- Supporting negotiations and working towards winning new contracts
- Understanding the commercial considerations behind winning business
Bid Apprentices join a Thales UK domain bid team, contributing ideas, building relationships, and taking on increasing ownership. You will gain hands-on experience across the full bid lifecycle, from opportunity identification and strategy development to proposal coordination, delivery, negotiation support, and contract handover.
No two bids are the same, offering exposure to diverse bids, projects, products, customers, and challenges. You will build valuable skills in communication, organisation, project management, and business writing.
Responsibilities Include:
- Support the coordination of bids, tenders, proposals, and customer submissions.
- Maintain bid plans, action trackers, and submission schedules, coordinating information from colleagues.
- Assist with drafting, editing, and formatting written responses to ensure accuracy, consistency, and timely completion.
- Maintain bid libraries, case studies, standard responses, policies, and supporting documentation.
- Conduct research into customers, markets, and competitors to support bid development.
- Assist with preparing presentations and materials for bid reviews and customer meetings.
- Participate in bid reviews and lessons-learned sessions for continuous improvement.
- Develop an understanding of commercial considerations, procurement processes, and how organisations win new business.
- Complete required learning and development activities associated with the apprenticeship programme.
Apprenticeship Programme
This is a 2-year programme working towards the Level 4 Project Manager Associate Apprenticeship standard, delivered with training provider The Apprentice Academy.
Upon successful completion of your End Point Assessment, you will transition into the Thales UK Bid and Project Management job family, potentially taking on a Project Planner or Project Controller role.
The programme includes on-the-job training tailored to complement your studies, providing practical skills and knowledge. Delivery is via a virtual model, combining:
- Live virtual workshops
- 1-2-1 coaching calls
- Self-directed learning activities
Entry Requirements:
- 2 A Levels Grade C or above in any subject or equivalent Level 3 qualification (e.g., BTEC Diploma MM, T Level Merit, Level 3 apprenticeship).
- 5 GCSEs grade 4-9 (A-C) including English and Maths.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary of £24,000 per annum
- Performance-related pay uplifts
- Holiday entitlement of 201 hours a year (plus a company day and bank holidays)
- Contributory Company Pension
- Health Care Cash Plan
- Hybrid/flexible working options
- Employee assistance programme
- Learning and development support
- Employee discounts and wellbeing initiatives
- Life Cover
- 80 Hours Volunteering per year (first two years)
Recruitment Process:
- Apply Online
- Upload Your CV
- Check Emails for Invitation to Apply
- Complete Your Application
- Complete Online Tests
- Virtual Assessment Centre (group exercises, competency-based interviews)
- Job Offer
Important Information:
- Start Date: Monday 6th September 2027
- Assessment Centres: February - May 2027
- Induction Week: Monday 6th September - Friday 10th September 2027
- Security Requirements: All roles are subject to security requirements. You must have the permanent right to work in the UK and be able to complete UK Government security checks (BPSS and SC clearance). Eligibility for SC clearance typically requires continuous UK residency for the last five years.