Bid Manager in Crawley, England at Acron Aviation Academy

Acron Aviation, a global leader in providing cutting-edge pilot training, simulation, avionics and flight data intelligence solutions to the aviation industry. With over 90 years’ experience we can trace our heritage all the way back to the pioneering inventor Edwin Link and the first ever flight simulator. We proudly display one of the original simulators in our London Training Center.

As a company we are striving towards Creating Safer Skies. From our computer-based solutions to our state-of-the-art Full Flight Simulators (FFS), improving the training experience and creating safer skies is at the heart of everything we do. Our Fixed Training Devices (FTD) and FFS feature aircraft-specific flight decks, offering the form, fit, feel, and function of the actual aircraft. Our airline pilot training systems cover the complete training spectrum; whether its systems knowledge, procedure training, or jet transition, we have the solutions for an airline.

About the role

We are looking for a proactive, technically capable individual with a can-do attitude to join our Business Capture Management team. You will take ownership of global aftermarket opportunities for simulator upgrades, modifications, obsolescence solutions, enhancements and in-service support, working in a challenging, fast-paced environment.

You will manage each aftermarket bid and lead the development of the associated technical and commercial proposal. The Business Capture Management team owns the full bid lifecycle, ensuring that customer requests are translated into clear, deliverable and costed solutions that are comprehensive, competitive, compliant and customer-focused.

The role works across the business to define solutions that address specific customer needs. You will collaborate closely with Sales, Solutions Architect, Engineering, In-Service Support, Programme Management, Supply Chain, Finance and Commercial teams. You will also liaise directly with customers around the globe to clarify requirements, communicate the proposed solution and support internal governance approvals.

The Aftermarket Bid Manager leads aftermarket opportunities from initial customer request through solution definition, proposal submission, contract award and handover. The role combines bid leadership with strong technical understanding of equipment hardware and software integration. You will assess requested changes to specific simulator systems or subsystems, coordinate with Solutions Architect and Engineering to define the update, and develop a clear proposal that can be accurately costed, scheduled and delivered to customers.

What we offer:

• 25 days holiday per year (plus bank holidays), increasing with long service and with the opportunity to buy/sell up to 5 days
• Profit Sharing Scheme (Annual Incentive Plan)
• Private medical insurance with optional family cover
• Pension scheme of up to 7% employer contribution
• Life Assurance 4x salary (flexible increase)
• Referral scheme
• Group income protection
• Flexible opt-in extras such as a health care cash plan, dental insurance, gym membership, critical illness cover and cycle to work scheme
• Employee assistance program providing mental health and wellbeing support
• Staff restaurant
• Staff car park (incl. EV charging stations)

Our Values are an integral part of who we are. We seek candidates who share our values:

Day-to-day responsibilities will include (but are not limited to):

• Lead global aftermarket opportunities from qualification through proposal, negotiation, contract award and handover.
• Translate customer requirements into clear, technically deliverable and commercially competitive solutions.
• Coordinate cross-functional inputs across Sales, Engineering, Solutions Architecture, Programme Management, Supply Chain, Finance and Commercial.
• Define robust scopes of work, including deliverables, assumptions, exclusions, dependencies, acceptance criteria and responsibilities.
• Develop accurate cost estimates, schedules, pricing and customer-focused technical and commercial proposals.
• Identify and manage technical, commercial and delivery risks, including integration, obsolescence, supplier and customer-site constraints.
• Lead bid reviews, governance approvals, customer clarifications and contract negotiations.
• Ensure a structured handover of agreed scope, commitments, risks and customer expectations to the delivery team.
• Strengthen bid performance through reusable content, estimating data, lessons learned and continuous improvement.

What you’ll bring:

The role of Bid Manager requires the following skills and experience:

• A strong technical background and understanding of integrated hardware and software systems, ideally within simulation, aerospace or another regulated industry.
• Ability to evaluate customer-requested changes, identify system dependencies and work with specialists to define practical, deliverable solutions.
• Experience producing clear scopes of work and compelling proposals covering technical solutions, deliverables, assumptions, exclusions and acceptance criteria.
• Strong commercial judgement, with the ability to evaluate cost, schedule, profitability, feasibility and risk.
• Confident leadership of global, cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Excellent customer, stakeholder, organisational and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver accurate, high-quality proposals to demanding deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Desirable experience:

• Knowledge of Full Flight Simulators, Flight Training Devices, training systems or other complex electromechanical and software-based products.
• Experience of simulator upgrades, modifications, obsolescence management, technology refresh, relocations, updates or in-service support.
• Degree, HNC/HND or equivalent experience in Engineering, Systems Engineering, Aerospace, Computing or another relevant technical discipline. APMP certification or bid-management training would be advantageous.

Core capabilities:

Technical solution definition; hardware and software integration awareness; proposal development; team management: global customer engagement; cross-functional bid leadership; commercial and delivery awareness.

Please note: All candidates who wish to be considered for this vacancy must have the right to work in the UK.