Senior Sales & Bid Manager

Here at The Exploration Company, we are developing, producing, and operating Nyx, a modular and reusable space orbital vehicle that can eventually be refuelled in orbit and that can carry cargo - and potentially humans in the longer run.

The Exploration Company is seeking a Senior Sales & Bid Manager to lead capture and proposal activities for in-orbit services (inspection, servicing, debris mitigation, in-orbit operations, and technology demonstrations) across European institutional and defense customers. You will own complex multi-partner pursuits, shape customer requirements, drive bid strategy and storytelling, and lead negotiations through contract signature. This role suits a hands‑on leader who can combine customer engagement, technical credibility, and disciplined proposal execution to win.

Key Responsibilities

• Capture leadership
  • Own the capture strategy for in-orbit services opportunities: qualification, stakeholder mapping, competitive positioning, and win plan with review gates.
  • Shape requirements and solution concept with Engineering and Programs; translate customer priorities into a compelling, compliant offer.
  • Lead partner and consortium engagement early (roles, workshare logic, industrial positioning, and risk alignment).
• Bid management & writing
  • Lead the end‑to‑end writing of bids: proposal architecture, storyline, executive summary, value proposition, and integration of technical volumes into a coherent narrative.
  • Own the full proposal plan: schedule, resources, compliance matrix, risk register, internal approvals, and submission readiness.
  • Ensure high standards of quality: clear evidence‑based claims, consistent messaging, and sharp differentiation.
• Commercial and customers
  • Build and maintain senior‑level customer relationships (1:1 meetings, account plans, networking, and strategic touchpoints).
  • Drive pricing and commercial structuring with Finance and Engineering: consortium pricing model, milestones, assumptions, margins, and internal validations.
  • Lead technical and commercial negotiations, prepare negotiation packages, and secure clean handover to Project Management after signature.
• Leadership, governance, and improvement
  • Coach and review the work of Sales/Bid team members (review cycles, section ownership, action tracking, quality bar).
  • Contribute to the Sales‑to‑Government Process Handbook; capture lessons learned, strengthen templates, and improve bid governance.
  • Anticipate and manage bid risks (compliance, export control/security, schedule, partner performance) and elevate early when needed.

Profile

• Demonstrated success winning complex proposals with European institutional and/or defense customers (ESA and/or national agencies).
• Strong understanding of space systems and in‑orbit services (operations, payloads, GNC/propulsion, mission concept, constraints and risks).
• Proven ability to lead multi‑partner consortia and manage complex compliance and tender requirements.
• Strong customer management skills: business intelligence, stakeholder engagement, influence, and negotiation maturity.
• Languages: English required; plus one of French, German, Italian, or Spanish required.
• Eligible to work in the EU or EFTA and able to meet relevant clearances.

What We Offer

• Close mentorship, meaningful responsibilities from day one, and a clear route to full bid ownership

Why you should join us!

• We’re Agile – we make decisions fast whilst keeping our goals and systems in mind
• We’re Open and Collaborative – we are transparent about risks and obstacles, so that we can cooperate to overcome them
• We have a lot of Fun – we refuel our energy knowing we are democratising space. It’s a wonderful and rare opportunity, are YOU up for the challenge?

The Exploration Company is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. Relocation assistance is provided for those willing to relocate including visa sponsorship where applicable.

All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, which will be subject to the country, role, and project you applied for. By submitting your application, you acknowledge and agree that any offer of employment may be conditional upon successful completion of a background check. The Exploration Company partners with Zinc Work Limited located in the UK (Zinc), a third‑party provider, to ensure this process is efficient and transparent. If applicable, you will receive an email from Zinc upon acceptance of your offer with a link to a secure portal where you can provide the required information to Zinc.