Senior Bid Writer / Tender Specialist – Defence

At Varley, we're not just building products. We're delivering capability that supports Australia's Defence Force and strengthens sovereign industry capability.

We're seeking an experienced Senior Bid Writer / Tender Specialist to take ownership of complex Defence and Prime Contractor tender submissions.

This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in securing strategic projects, working alongside engineering, manufacturing, project delivery and commercial specialists to develop compelling, compliant and winning tender responses.

If you thrive on transforming complex technical information into persuasive proposals, enjoy influencing outcomes and want to see your work directly contribute to the growth of a leading Australian Defence business, we'd love to hear from you.

About the Role

Reporting to the Bid Manager, you will lead the development of high-quality Defence tender submissions across a broad range of opportunities, including EOIs, RFIs, RFQs, RFPs and RFTs.

You will own proposal development from planning through to submission, ensuring responses are compliant, compelling, strategically aligned and delivered on time.

This is far more than a traditional bid-writing role.

You'll collaborate with subject matter experts across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, commercial and project teams while helping shape proposal strategy, capture win themes and drive continuous improvement across the bid process.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of complex Defence and Prime Contractor tender responses
• Develop proposal strategies, win themes and response frameworks
• Create and maintain compliance matrices and requirements traceability
• Draft high-quality, persuasive and technically accurate submission content
• Coordinate inputs from Engineering, Projects, Manufacturing, Commercial, Supply Chain and Quality teams
• Manage tender schedules, reviews and submission milestones
• Compilation of pricing and commercial submissions ensuring all cost inputs, assumptions and supporting information are accurate and complete.
• Prepare executive summaries, value propositions and supporting submission documentation
• Maintain and enhance bid libraries, templates and reusable content
• Support tender clarifications, lessons learnt and continuous improvement activities
• Identify and elevate tender risks and compliance concerns
• Ensure accurate records are maintained within relevant systems and document repositories
• What We’re Looking For

You are an exceptional writer, organiser and influencer who can confidently lead and manage multiple tender activities while engaging technical stakeholders across the business.

Ideally, you will bring

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Business, Communications, or Engineering.
• Minimum of 3 years' experience in bid writing or tender management, preferably within the Defence sector.
• Experience writing and coordinating complex tender or proposal responses
• Defence, Government, Defence Prime or other highly regulated industry experience
• Strong understanding of tender compliance and requirements traceability
• Advanced document writing, editing and quality assurance skills
• Ability to translate complex technical information into clear and persuasive responses
• Experience coordinating inputs from cross-functional subject matter experts
• Strong commercial awareness and analytical thinking capability
• High attention to detail and exceptional organisational skills
• Advanced Microsoft Word skills for complex document production
• Strong Microsoft Excel capability for tender administration and cost compilation and analysis
• Australian Citizenship and the ability to obtain an NV1 Security Clearance

Experience with Defence acquisition environments, ASDEFCON, Prime Contractor tenders or similar regulated sectors will be highly regarded.

Why Join Varley?

This is an opportunity to do more than write tenders.

You'll play a key role in securing projects that contribute to Australia's sovereign Defence capability while working alongside some of the industry's most experienced engineering, manufacturing and project delivery professionals.

At Varley Defence, you'll be joining a business with a long-standing reputation for delivering innovative Defence solutions and supporting critical capability programs across Australia.

In return, we offer

• The opportunity to influence major Defence pursuits and strategic business growth
• Exposure to complex, high-profile Defence and engineering projects
• A collaborative environment where your expertise genuinely shapes outcomes
• Direct engagement with technical experts across Engineering, Projects, Manufacturing and Commercial teams
• Career development opportunities within a growing Australian Defence organisation
• Competitive salary package commensurate with experience
• Access to Fitness Passport, providing discounted membership options across a large network of fitness facilities and health clubs
• Access to a confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering professional wellbeing, counselling and support services for you and your immediate family
• Employee recognition initiatives and a supportive team culture
• Stable, long-term career opportunities within a respected Australian-owned business
• The chance to contribute to projects that support Australia's Defence capability and national interests
• Make an Impact

If you're an experienced bid writer or proposal specialist looking for the opportunity to work on meaningful projects, influence major Defence opportunities and help shape the future growth of a leading Australian Defence business, we'd love to hear from you.

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