This position is in the Aerospace, Defence, Security & Technology (ADS&T) division of SNC Lavalin’s Atkins business of Engineering, Design & Project Management. As a member of ADS&T’s core Business Development team you will be responsible for leading the technical solution of suitable opportunities through the Win Work lifecycle and successfully on to contract with our clients.
We are looking to appoint an experienced and motivated individual as a result of ADS&T’s continued and successful growth and to match our equally ambitious plans for the next five years. You will be working closely with technical experts, consultants and business development staff across ADS&T and the wider organisation to produce compelling bids. As a member of the core business development team, you will also be responsible for contributing to the continuous improvement of the division’s Win Work capability (people, processes, tools, information and governance).
The role of the Bid Solution Architect is a critical part of the Win Work process. Complementary to the roles of Bid Manager, Bid Director, Client Manager and Technical Consultant, the purpose of the Solution Architect is to envision, define, plan and lead the authoring of the solution to a particular requirement or opportunity drawing on the expertise and contributions of Technical staff.
The main focus will be on meeting the Win Work effort demand from within Defence Digital, the organization responsible for making sure that effective digital and information technology is put into the hands of the military and business front. The role will be focused on consultancy opportunities that are primarily concerned with Strategy & Architecture, Cyber Security and P3M in a Digital/ICT context.
The expectation of the Solution Architect is to act as a bridge between the customer requirement and the solution proposed, drawing on intelligence and although the role is predominately internally facing, to engage with the customer where required to confirm requirements, considerations and expectations. This is additional to engaging internal stakeholder such as Client Managers and Task/Technical Leads for example. It also needs considerable powers of communication and co-ordination internally to gather and understand Atkins’ capabilities and the reach of the supply chain in order to synthesise a solution in response to customer requirements, reflecting the agreed win strategy and Atkins’ USPs. It requires the ability to think imaginatively, and to stimulate, access and lead various technical contributions in order to create a coherent solution, evaluating options along the way to arrive at an optimal winning solution.
Your purpose:
- Analysing customer intelligence, bid documentation and capture activity to inform bid strategy and win themes;
- Collaborating with the customer and internal stakeholders to discover hot buttons and biases;
- Work alongside SMEs and Technical Authors but take the lead role in defining, shaping, planning and authoring the solution to large or complex bids covering Strategy & Architecture, Cyber Security and P3M in a Digital/ICT context, and communicating the solutions to stakeholders (internal and external). The outputs will be bid response documents that are clear, concise and visually engaging;
- To take a leading role in driving the development and exploitation of ideas from concept to sale whilst considering Innovation and Growth Theme initiatives where applicable (ensuring that solutions are attractive to our clients, differentiated from our competitors, and technically, commercially and programmatically feasible e.g. acceptable risk, acceptable margin);
- Providing expert guidance on bid technical solution best practice; and
- Analysing internal and external feedback to support continuous improvement.
Wider objectives:
- Shaping the solution with the customer prior to the release of the RFP/ITT and then leading the response process once released;
- Gathering intelligence on the customer and competitors;
- Act as a role model and mentor to develop this capability in others;
- To contribute to other Win Work routine activity as required by the Market team, for example in terms of networking, attending conferences and exploiting relationships; or supporting the presence of Atkins at a major sales conference; and
- Liaise seamlessly with the Market Client Director and Manager community and the practice leadership community to exploit opportunities to sell existing capability and to develop new capability in response to emergent market need or opportunities.
What you can bring?
Essential criteria:
- As this is a strategic part of Atkins’ continued growth in the defence sector, a record of successful previous technical leadership of bids within the industry;
- A comprehensive P3M understanding and the role of delivery within a consultancy engagement;
- Ability to work seamlessly in a business development and bid team environment, with a good understanding of the respective roles and processes;
- A high standard of authoring capabilities and the ability to translate technical detail in to a customer story;
- Ability to lead, plan, co-ordinate and manage complex undertakings, motivating a team to deliver;
- Ability to influence and form strong relationships with key stakeholders, internally and externally with a confident yet diplomatic operating style;
- Broad awareness and understanding of ADS&T markets and practice structure and service offerings (or ability to learn this quickly);
- Within a customer relationship, the ability to seek out and exploit sales opportunities and to access the full range of services and skills across the group;
- Excellent communications skills, written and verbal;
- High motivation, work ethic and dedication commensurate with bid activity; and
- Understanding of project management and commercial principles, knowing when to call on specialist input from experts as part of a bid team.
Desirable criteria:
- Client-side experience in a similar role;
- Ability to develop new services and products, from idea to sale, moving through maturing technology and service levels;
- Experience of a variety of business models and commercial approaches;
- Deep understanding and experience of one or more core ADS&T market areas and service offerings, with an active network of contacts; and
- Networks and contacts in market teams and practices across SNC Atkins.
Why work for Atkins?
Our Aerospace, Defence, Security & Technology (ADS&T) teams provide independent and objective advice in mission-critical sectors. Join us to make a direct difference in helping our country to achieve its security and defence goals. From advisory, conceptual design and acquisition, through transformation, manufacture, certification and in-service support. You'll be working alongside some of the top people in the industry.
We value diversity and believe that everyone deserves to thrive, without exception. So, you'll be part of a culture that wants to see more women in senior roles. We have signed the MoD's "Women in Defence" and "Women in Aviation and Aerospace" charters. These pledges include providing opportunities for women to succeed at all levels. We're also committed to being a Military friendly employer and have been recognised with the Ministry of Defence's (MoD) Gold Employer Recognition Award.
Meeting your needs
When you start with us, you'll enjoy "Total Reward," a package that can be tailored to your lifestyle, career and personal needs. From flexible holidays to life assurance, health & wellbeing benefits, and career planning for the senior stage of your career.
Making sure you're supported is important to us. So if you identify as having a disability, tell us ahead of your interview. And let's talk about any adjustments you might need.
Read more about 'Total Reward'.
More about us
Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, is a leading global consultancy with over 80 years of design and engineering expertise. With us, you'll be surrounded by the skills, knowledge and support to help you succeed. Together, we can deliver projects which have a positive, sustainable impact on the world.
Atkins, ranked as one of LinkedIn’s Top 25 Companies, where UK professionals want to work and stay once they join. We're also a Silver Rating holder in the Aerospace & Defence sector, as per the Financial Times rating of the UK’s leading management consultants.
Check out some of our recent, most exciting projects.
Training
Atkins is committed to developing its people both personally and professionally. Our colleagues have the advantage of access to a high ranging training portfolio and development activities designed to help make the best of individual’s abilities and talents. We also actively support staff in achieving corporate membership of relevant institutions.
Flexible working
We support flexible working and equal opportunities as we believe that diverse teams provide the best mix of interpersonal and technical skills needed to exceed our customers’ expectations.
Diversity & inclusion
ATKINS, part of the SNC Lavalin Group, is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability.
Security
This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview.
If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.
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