Capture Lead
Full-time
Ottawa, ON, Canada · Remote
CAD 130k-165k / year + Equity
About Calian
At Calian, we help organizations overcome obstacles, manage risks, and drive progress. Since 1982, we’ve grown from a small consulting firm into a trusted global company across defence, space, health, nuclear energy, public safety, and government.
We create innovative solutions that tackle complex challenges and help organizations and communities stay resilient, informed, and connected. If you’re driven by purpose and energized by solving real-world challenges, we want you on our team.
Position Overview
We are looking for a senior Capture Lead to serve as the driving force behind strategic defence pursuits, leading opportunities from early engagement through capture and positioning activities before formal procurement processes begin.
In this role, you will act as a connector across capture, business development, technology, and operational teams, shaping winning strategies and integrated solutions that align customer needs, defence technology priorities, and business objectives. This role will have a direct relationship in supporting Calians’ Defence Solutions.
You will provide subject matter expertise in military training, exercises, operational readiness, and defence environments while helping build and mature capture processes, supporting both new business growth and the renewal of strategic contracts. This is an exciting, newly created role at Calian awaiting the right candidate to come in and help mold it.
Responsibilities
- Lead strategic capture activities for defence opportunities from qualification through proposal handoff
- Develop capture strategies, win themes, value propositions, and customer engagement plans
- Engage customers to understand requirements, challenges, and future needs before formal procurements are released
- Coordinate cross-functional contributions from Business Development, Finance, Legal, HR, Delivery, Technology, Product, and subject matter experts
- Provide defence subject matter expertise to support customer engagements, demonstrations, presentations, and strategic discussions
- Translate operational requirements into integrated training, technology, and service solutions
- Support opportunity qualification, pursuit planning, and bid/no-bid decision-making processes
- Assess defence technology trends, customer needs, market opportunities, and competitive positioning and provide recommendations to leadership
- Ensure proposed solutions are technically sound, operationally relevant, and commercially viable
- Capture lessons learned and help establish repeatable capture processes and frameworks
- Serve as a key liaison between capture, business development, technology, product, and operational stakeholders
- Provide updates and recommendations to senior leadership regarding strategic opportunities, risks, and capture activities
- Support proposal development activities by ensuring alignment between capture strategy and final proposal responses
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Military Studies, Defence Management, or a related field
- An equivalent combination of education, military experience, and industry experience will also be considered
- Minimum 10 years experience in defence, military, training, simulation, operational readiness, or related environments
- Demonstrated experience leading capture activities and supporting complex RFP responses
- Strong knowledge of military training, exercise, and operational readiness environments
- Experience developing integrated solutions for defence customers
- Experience supporting business development, customer engagement, and strategic growth initiatives
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively across technical, operational, and business functions
- Knowledge of defence procurement processes and competitive capture practices
- Strong understanding of defence technology trends and emerging capabilities
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to influence decision-making and build alignment without direct authority
- Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills
Additional Requirements
- Posession or eligibility to obtain a Canadian Government Level II (Secret) Security clearance is a requirement for this role
- Strong project and pursuit management capabilities
- Ability to manage multiple stakeholders, priorities, timelines, and dependencies
- Experience working in cross-functional environments involving Finance, Legal, HR, Business Development, Delivery, and technical teams
- Ability to balance customer requirements, technical feasibility, and business objectives
Compensation
$130,000 to $165,000CAD annually – negotiable pending experience level
#LI-JM# #SF#
At Calian, we do not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to screen or evaluate candidates. AI tools may support backend administrative tasks, but they do not influence hiring decisions. All evaluations and decisions are made by real people on our recruitment team and hiring managers. All applicants are reviewed and only those chosen for an interview will be contacted by our recruiting team.
How we hire
- Our hiring process is designed to help us get to know you and discover if you are the best fit for our team. It's also an opportunity for you to gauge if a role at Calian is the right fit for you.
Throughout the process, we’ll share details of the kind of work you’ll be doing, the projects you’ll be working on, the team you’ll be joining, and what it’s like working at Calian. Our biggest tip throughout the process is to just be your authentic self! - Our commitment to diverse, yet highly specialized solutions require many different skills and abilities. We look for the best talent that can contribute to Calian’s success as well as enhance our culture. We encourage you to apply to a role or join our talent community and sign up for job alerts that match your area of expertise and what you are looking for in your next opportunity.
During the recruiting process, you’re encouraged to notify us of any accommodations you may require. We’ll be happy to help.
- We give the same time and consideration to everyone who applies. Here are a few things you can do to ensure your application shines:
- Do your research on Calian, the department, and team you are looking to join
- Add a cover letter that explains why you are a good fit for this position
- Share a portfolio, personal websites, or links to your professional social media
- In your CV, highlight your key achievements - this is your time to brag
- Include dates! Share the timeline of your experience
- Stand out by tailoring your resume to each position you apply to
- Only apply to roles you’re genuinely interested in and that align to your experience
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- Be prepared! Do your research on Calian, the department, and team you are looking to join
- View the responsibilities for the role and find examples that demonstrate how you’ve completed these in your previous work experience
- Prepare a list of questions to ask us
- Dress business casual for your interview (virtual and in person)
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- We assess your skills and fit, you assess our fit for you
- We keep you updated and share expectations as we make progress in the recruiting cycle
- Feel free to reach out to your Talent Acquisition Specialist at any time during the hiring process
Perks and benefits
- Competitive, company-paid benefits
- Generous time off package
- Stock purchase plan
- RRSP program
- Flexible work hours for eligible roles
- Programs to support employee health and well-being